8BitDo Unveils its First Dedicated Smartphone Controller

As mobile games continue to become more complex in terms of gameplay and controls, third-party accessory manufacturers have wasted no time in designing controller solutions which were made specifically for smartphones, as seen with the likes of the Backbone and Razer Kishi controllers.

8BitDo is the latest addition in this product category – while the brand is a long-time veteran with a large selection of controllers under its belt, its new “Ultimate Mobile Gaming Controller” comes with a familiar-looking telescopic design, and is made to work with Android devices.

Priced at around 50 bucks, the UMGC also features hall-effect joysticks and triggers. For context, hall-effect controls use a mechanism that incorporates magnets, and ditches older input designs which results in more durable controls with a reduced likelihood of controller drift.

The controller works with Android devices measuring 100-170mm in length, and is compatible with Android versions from 9 to the latest Android 15. it connects via Bluetooth, and also features support for custom control setups and configurations. It launches on November 29.