Backbone One V2, the best remote control for your iPhone

We tested the best controller for your iPhone or Android phone with USB-C. The new Backbone One V2 gives you the physical controls you need to truly enjoy your video gamesand now it’s also compatible with almost every case you use.

In a somewhat saturated market like that of gamepads for smartphones, it is difficult to find a niche with a device whose price is higher than any other competitor, but Backbone has improved the Backbone One, which in this new version V2 It offers a change from the previous version, eliminating its biggest drawback: It is compatible with almost all cases, at least those that we use most commonly. And it also achieves this thanks to a system of magnetic adapters of different sizes that allow you to put the controller on and take it off in seconds without having to remove the case, much better than before.

The build quality of the controller is good, I would say on par with the official PlayStation or Xbox controllers I have at home. Backbone has opted for two different designs, the standard which is completely black and this model that we see in the photos and video, Playstation Edition, with colors similar to the official Sony control controller. There is no difference between the two except the colors, so you can choose the one you prefer without thinking much. There is also this new V2 model with case adapters and Lightning connector, in case you own an iPhone other than the latest Apple models. Of course, make sure you buy the V2 (2nd Edition) model so it’s case compatible.

The grip isn’t exactly the same as a regular controller due to the elongated design it requires to fit the smartphone. The analog sticks, buttons, and triggers have a very good feel, and The response in the game does not have any type of delay, which is helped by not using any type of wireless connection but using USB-C directly. You have all the functions you need, including L3 and R3 when you press the analog sticks. In addition to the usual buttons for playing, we have the “Capture” and “Share” buttons on the left side, and “Options” and “Backbone” on the right side.

And the best of all is that you don’t have to install anything or do anything special to use it, you just need to connect the phone via USB-C and that’s it, the games will recognize it automatically. In some games you can even move through the menus with the controller, in others you will have to use the screen for that, but when it comes to gaming I haven’t found any problems with any of them. between them. I tried it with games from the App Store, GeForce Now, PS Remote, Xbox Cloud and retro games with the Delta appand in all of them it works perfectly.

In addition there is a USB-C port for charging the smartphone while you use it, so you don’t run out of battery while you’re playing. You can also use this USB-C port to connect the controller to a computer and use it to play with it. The controller does not have any type of battery to recharge when using the connection. On the left side there is a headphone jackin case you want to use a wired model to listen to your games without delay, although personally I have never had any problems with Bluetooth headphones when gaming.

The Backbone app is a perfect complement to the control unit. Not only is it used to update the firmware of the controller, but it is a fantastic Game Center that includes all the games on your smartphone. You will be able to run games from any type of platform, You can link your Xbox, Steam, GeForce Now, and PS Remote Play accounts in addition to App Store games, and everything will appear there. It is also used to find out about games compatible with the controller. The app has a very good design and works very well. Although to get the most out of the application you will have to pay the subscription to Backbone+ ($ 39.99 per year), but it is not necessary to use your games with the control controller. When you buy the controller, you get a one-year free trial, so you can try it out if you like it before you have to pay for it.

Editor’s opinion

After testing the Razer Kishi and other more affordable alternatives, I have no doubt that this new Backbone One V2 is the best controller for your iPhone (or Android mobile). I already had the previous model with Lightning, which I loved but which had the disadvantage of having to remove the phone case every time I wanted to use it, which bothered me a lot. This new version eliminates this problem, retaining everything good about the previous model, including the Backbone application, which I find really good. Its price is more expensive than other models, but it is worth it. You can buy it on Amazon for $119.99 (link)