Backbone One review (PS Edition) – the perfect mobile controller
Backbone’s mobile gaming controller gets a makeover for its PlayStation Edition. It might only be skin deep, and lacking some of core PS5 DualSense features, but it still has a lot to offer for the price.
The Backone One comes in two variants, letting you choose between a black colourway with the familiar ABXY buttons found on the Xbox wireless controller, and a white PlayStation Edition that swaps them out for Sony’s Triangle, Circle, Cross, Square action buttons. But if you’re hoping it’ll replicate the DualSense experience, the similarities end there. You won’t find any adaptive triggers, haptic feedback or touchpad – and the analog sticks echo the asymmetrical layout of Microsoft’s controller, rather than the symmetrical arrangement on the PS5 controller.
But for £99.99 / $99.99 / AU$179 it’s one of best mobile controllers available, pairing fantastic build quality with useful and intuitive features like passthrough charging and audio, as well as a dedicated app that acts as a dashboard where you can access Xbox Game Pass or PS Remote Play among other apps.
Backbone One PlayStation Edition design
The Backbone One is a compact mobile gaming controller that feels more akin to the Nintendo Switch’s Joy-Cons than the Xbox or PS5 controllers. The sticks and buttons have been shrunk down to fit on the small but substantial grips that are smooth all over with subtle, barely-there texturing that’ll keep it from flying out of your hands but might get slippery in the clutch.
Along with the D-pad, action buttons, and analog sticks, there’s a dedicated button for the Backbone One app for quick access to games, and more, which I’ll delve into in the features section. All of the buttons are smaller than their full-size controller counterparts but the overall design is pleasingly ergonomic; the chunky thickness of the grips make them a lot more comfortable to hold than the Joy-Cons and their thin, angular design.
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The main point of note in terms of the Backbone One design is the layout, which screams Xbox in PlayStation clothing. There are workarounds for the lack of touchpad and PS home button, but the touchpad is essentially an overlay that pops up when you tap your screen, and isn’t the most elegant solution. And just in case you forget which edition of the controller you’re playing on, the PlayStation logo is splashed on the back of the bridge so it’ll be visible once you’ve docked your phone into it.
Backbone One PlayStation Edition features
The Backbone One has passthrough charging and audio with support for wired headphones via a 3.5mm jack (Backbone)Some of the Backbone One features that give it a leg up over the competition include the passthrough audio and charging, and the app – although Android users have got a rude awakening in store sometime down the line. Backbone+ is the premium version of the app offering a paid subscription that’s live on iOS but has yet to roll out on Android.
Perks include direct Twitch streaming, Discord-like direct messaging and party chat in-app, unified game hub and launcher, cloud storage to let you capture, edit and share video at 1080p 60fps, as well as free in-game items and perks. Depending on whether you already have go-to apps for these features, Backbone’s app is actually incredibly robust, although – as with the iPhone model – these features will inevitably be locked behind a paywall on Android in the not-too-distant future.
The passthrough charging and audio means you can opt for Bluetooth headphones or a wired pair using the 3.5mm jack. And you can charge your phone via the USB-C port either at the mains or with a power bank if you’re gaming on the go.
- Form factor: asymmetrical
- Connectivity: USB-C port
- Compatibility: USB-C phones running Android 10+
- Adaptive triggers: no
- Headset jack: yes
- No charging required
- Weight: 138g / 4.87oz
There’s no battery onboard the Backbone One, and you’d be wise not to leave your phone connected when idle as it draws power from your device. It’s basically good to go once you get it out of the box; just download the app, plug in your phone, turn on your PS5's Remote Play and you’re all set.
Backbone One PlayStation Edition performance
Despite the D-pad being a single, solid piece with no divot in the centre, it’s satisfyingly springy. The triggers offer the right amount of resistance given the Backbone’s size and the buttons are nice and clicky. The only complaint is the tapping of your screen to activate what would be the touchpad input on your DualSense.
Of course, shipping a version of the Backbone One that packs in all of the extra PS5 controller elements would see the price skyrocket and the annoyance is a purely subjective one. Plus, if the game you’re playing doesn’t utilise the touchpad in a particularly prominent way, it’s not something you’ll be wrestling with every time you pick it up to play.
When it comes to the Backbone One's fit for your phone, my Google Pixel 6 Pro felt secure for the most part, with minimal wiggle, thanks to the sturdy and springy bridge. Unfortunately, I couldn't try out the headphone jack as all of my wired headphones have slowly been phased out. My phone did get pretty hot when using the Backbone One but my Pixel 6 Pro is a furnace whenever it's doing something power-intensive.
I will say, you shouldn't be worried about the Backbone One draining your battery. While it does draw power from your phone, the amount is "imperceptibly low" according to the manufacturer. I didn't leave my phone docked while not gaming on it, and I didn't notice any additional drain on my Pixel's battery over and above the usual consumption. This is another area where your phone is going to dictate how many hours of gameplay you'll be getting out of the Backbone One, rather than the device itself. But that's why the charging port is so useful; you can juice up your phone with a portable charger on the go, or plug it into the mains (which is what I did) when you're at home.
Overall thoughts on Backbone One PlayStation Edition
If you’re looking for a device that’s compatible with PlayStation Remote Play, or just a good, all-round mobile gaming controller that combines key hardware and versatile software features into a competitively priced package, then the Backbone One PS Edition ticks all of the main boxes.
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It’s also a strong contender to go up against the PlayStation Portal by arguably offering more for your money, especially given the limitations of Sony's PS5 companion handheld. And even though it errs on the more expensive side of mobile gaming controllers, the Backbone One is worth the cost and then some, beating out the competition with comfort and quality at the forefront of the design.
It’s no DualSense replica, and you may miss some of the PS5 controller’s specific buttons, but the suite of features available via the app paired with the lightweight and compact form factor makes the Backbone One a shoo-in for the best mobile gaming controller you can pick up right now.
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