8Bitdo Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller for Android devices, Bluetooth Mobile Game Controller with Hall Effect Joysticks and Hall Triggers (Black)

I like it better than the Backbone. It's a lot more sturdy, which is very nice. I ended up getting the 8BitDo because my right stick broke on my backbone after having it for only 2 months. I believe it's just the plastic part of the joystick and I'm pretty sure it's just cracked. The joystick still actually has a little tension like it is moving but I can't click the stick and I hear more cracking each time. The 8bitDo feels like an actual game controller in my hand. It's comfortable. The sticks feel sturdy. The buttons feel nice. It reminds me of an Xbox controller. There's a couple of things I liked on the backbone over this one. Biggest thing was the backbone actually connected through my USB C port. I like the actual hardware connection but after using the 8BitDo for a day, I've had no problems with the Bluetooth connection. It was pretty easy to pair. The battery on the 8BitDo is good. I've been playing all day without having to charge it yet. I haven't tested it but I'm probably never going to . Manual says 10 hours of play but there's no way I'm playing 10 hours straight so I'm perfectly fine with that. Now the backbone has no battery but it doesn't need one. Draws the power it needs from the phone. To me, that really doesn't matter that much at all though. There's two paddle buttons on the back of the 8BitDo which means it has two more buttons than the backbone. One of the things I really like on the 8BitDo is the fact that you can leave your case on your phone. I have a Samsung Galaxy a54 with a OtterBox Defender Series case. It fits right in with about a quarter inch to spare. it's approximately 6 and 15/16 inches fully expanded. In conclusion, if I would have been able to test out the 8BitDo and the backbone before I made a purchase I definitely would have went with the 8BitDo in the first place.

8Bitdo has truely outdone themselves this time with this controller. This controller has not just hall-effect joysticks, but those joysticks have metal so that there is no grinding against the edge of the joystick's area.Much more important however is the D-pad, which is extraordinary. It has a tactile bump when pressed similar to what would be on a Playstation Vita, Gameboy advance SP, or 8Bitdo's own lite controller (the lite "1" to be specific). These kinds of clicky buttons are also on the L and R bumpers. The face buttons are rubber domes similar to basically any other controller, which is still good.Also the triggers are great, they have very short travel, so they are both analog for driving games, but also not annoying to press over and over like some other triggers.Syncing up has been fine, once you have done it you shouldn't have to do it again.Now for something that they didn't mention, it does in fact work on a computer via the USB C port, it comes up as just a generic controller. To put it simply, it worked with steam input, if that's useful to you.I didn't try going in with any software to do virtual mapping, and rebinding controls to the back buttons is easy.I think it is a bit of a shame that they didn't make it switch compatible, since it actually can fit a switch in it without any problems. If it just synced to it and was wireless still I wouldn't have minded.Overall this is one of the best controllers that I've ever used, I hope they use the buttons in this for a Micro2 at some point.

Before I write this, I should say I did not buy this to play phone games, rather to play emulated games on my phone, mainly PS2, DS, Gameboy, etc, and I think I've used it enough to give my honest opinion. I'll start with the fit. I have a OnePlus open, and I was nervous it wouldn't fit, but rest assured my fellow folding phone users, it fits like a glove. It extends pretty far, so it should fit about any fold, including the Xiaomi folds. Next, size. It's a little on the bigger side. Not big and hefty but too big for a pocket. It's about the size of a normal controller, but because of that, it's very comfortable. Ive used this for hours at a time, and no discomfort at all. Next, the button and grip feel. The grips are awesome on this thing. And slip resistant so it should fall out of your hands on its own. The buttons and triggers also feel great. I will say the shoulder buttons click a little too much for my liking but still not bad. It's mainly the loud sound they make is what gets me. And the start and select buttons press down too much for me, and if I'm not careful, my thumb will slip and press on my phone screen. Not a big deal, just kind of annoying sometimes. Another button issue I have is the dpad. It's a fantastic dpad. It feels great to use, However, it's very easy to miss input when pressing the right side. It'll sometimes trigger down and right at the same time. It doesn't happen often enough to be a big deal, but still annoying when it does happen, but that could also just be a problem with my particular unit. Other than that, all the other buttons are fantastic. The best I can compare it to is the buttons on a 360 controller. They just feel great to use. Now a common issue I see people talking about is delay and compatibility. Like I said, I can only say for emulation, but its great in that aspect. It's worked on every emulator I've chucked at it, and haven't noticed any delay. Again, I can only speak for emulation, but if that's what you plan to use this for, rest assured. It'll work flawless on emulators. Overall, I'm very happy with the product and do recommend it, especially to fellow fold phone users. For 50 dollars, the price is right.