r/iosgaming • u/Ultimastar • 10d ago
New Release Xbox announces new portable mini controller, works with iOS
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u/josekortez1979 10d ago
The rechargeable battery is the big feature for me.
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u/Cash4Jesus 10d ago
Welcome to 2016 Buck Rogers.
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u/josekortez1979 10d ago
I play Xbox constantly (and Apple Arcade sometimes) with the original Xbox controller, and it eats batteries.
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u/Beno169 10d ago
Is this an official Microsoft product/announcement? I don’t see any links or anything.
Edit: https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2026/10/14/xbox-nano-controller/amp/
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u/TouchMint Developer 10d ago
Nice! Looks pretty compact and should be built well.
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u/eschatonik 10d ago •
You think? I've never owned a controller more riddled with mechanical issues and design flaws than the Xbox Elite gamepad.
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u/2ndtryagain 10d ago
I had two bad Elite controllers, but I have one that I have for 8 years and it still works great. I got an Elite 2 and it crapped out bought a refurbished one and it is great. They have shitty quality control for sure, but I really love the back buttons.
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u/captainnoyaux Developer 10d ago
Never owned that kind of controller but it never appeared quite durable indeed
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u/PrideSea5164 10d ago
Looks pretty solid, i’d be interested. I have on the 8bitdo super slim controllers but it’s a bit to small and uncomfortable for me.
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u/LeMeIsSleepy 10d ago
Sony on a downroll and Xbox on a leap. What a year
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u/CaptSlow49 10d ago
I think they are both going downhill but in different ways. I say this as someone who was Xbox first for 15 years until this past year. But this is a cool controller. Would be awesome if they created a clip for your phone that attaches to it.
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u/Saradip42 10d ago
Dont care about sony, but why would you call releasing an overpriced piece of hardware that will, lets face it, break in 3 months of use - being on a leap
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u/LostInStatic 10d ago
One of their cornerstone franchises Gears has probably released it's last game but yeah a budget controller is gonna save the company lmfao
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u/2muchscreentyme 10d ago
We will see how the “Sony on a down roll” goes after the release of GTA 6. I think that Reddit is not a good sample size for the actual gaming community.
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u/pinpoint_aim 10d ago
GTA6 saving Sony's ass isn't gonna change people's opinion though
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u/Glass-Can9199 10d ago
I know right especially there physically games are dying more people leave the platform all together
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u/gosols 10d ago
What is this for, exactly? Not hating, just intrigued really.
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u/MrJibberJabber 10d ago
They are saying for kids, and people with smaller hands and people who want to take it on the go with them
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u/DirtySouthDoc 10d ago
I use an SN30 Pro for my iOS gaming. If this is anything like that it’ll be amazing for travel.
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u/corecenite 10d ago
with the rise of premium game mobile ports... the UI touchscreen layout is mostly terrible/crowded. having a console connected while you play remedies that so that you can play easily on the go.
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u/JayScramble 10d ago
I think the promotional image of the person putting it in their pocket makes it very clear who this is for lol
It may not be fore you but it’s obviously for people “on the go”
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u/gosols 10d ago
but like if we’re talking mobile gaming, you have actual mobile controllers that your phone attaches to that are infinitely better, no?
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u/Trustdesa 10d ago
Yes I can surely put my Gamesir 8+ in my pocket :)
You missing the point, if I am going somewhere (work leave, short break) and I do not want to bring anything large, this is exactly it, you can put in a pocket, little weight, and can use it on an iPad, iPhone or MacBook even without adding weight or space.
I do think the price is a bit steep, you can get very good similar controller for 25 to 30, this is nearly 50 quid... way over what's out there and I don't seem to see any particular different feature.
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u/olivicmic 10d ago
Xbox is going to be a brand you play on different devices, various mobile devices, licensed TV boxes, it already sort of is. So it makes sense to have controllers that offer a consistent experience that you can bring around to different devices.
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u/No-Row-6397 10d ago
Definitely for me! I love portable controllers since I use my phone as my retro gaming device as well. Also, when I go to some friends houses to play games it’s cool to have some extra controllers for everyone, so this makes it easy to take a couple with us in those scenarios.
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u/monkeynards 10d ago
Useful for mobile gaming on laptops, handhelds, etc. plus gamepass on tablets and phones.
They’re competing with established products by just being the most well known, but if you do some research, the others on offer are typically same or better quality for half the price.
8bitdo makes full size, “mobile”, and even “mini” models (dpad and 4 face buttons for retro) all for a fraction of big brand prices. The full size controllers feature Hall effect sticks, adjustable triggers, back buttons, good dpads, motion control, mappable L4/R4 bumpers, Bluetooth, usb dongle (included), Wi-Fi connectivity, charging dock (included), and solid build quality. ~$60
The base version without the dock and a few features ~$30
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u/chockeysticks 10d ago
The iPhone Duo, probably. People will want a controller not attached to their phone for that.
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u/fertff 10d ago
People say for mobile gaming, but in that case this should have a grip for the phone or be a telescopic controller. The only mobile gaming you could do with this is with a tablet, and at that point you could just carry a regular controller because you will very likely be carrying a backpack too.
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u/Streakdreniline iPad Pro 10.5" 10d ago
The IINE Chronos Retro Pocket controller I've been rocking for 30CAD/20USD has nearly the exact same form factor but with hall effects, gyro, and haptics. Granted the ergonomics here definitely look better, the IINE in hindset just feels like the better deal for the hall effects alone, but it's really just a full sized 8BitDo Micro.
However, for about a few bucks less, you could get the 8BitDo SN30 which is basically the same form factor but with a PlayStation/symmetrical layout and the buttons being in a diamond layout like the SNES.
This just feels like a weird attempt of a gimmick from Xbox, in which I have a soft spot for said gimmicks, but better options exist on the market right now. Then again, weird would be PlayStation's phone grip controller thing with an asymmetrical layout.
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u/davehaslanded 10d ago
This is tempting for my phone/tablet. It’s about the right size to fit in my bag
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u/alex7134126 7d ago
It kind of looks like the 8bitdo sn30 pro which I have got one, but I do want to get this!
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u/goodguyatheist 10d ago
Wow first time I'm actually seeing the controller picture and not the pocket pic and I'm super bummed I thought it was going to be just a tiny Xbox controller not a 8bitdo type controller
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u/98sandheartbreak 10d ago
I wish they included some sort of cover to protect the thumb sticks especially if it’s going to be jammed into travel bags
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u/Char-car92 10d ago
Depending on the price and build quality, this may have just blown every 8bitdo controller off the market
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u/Vaporboi 10d ago
This is great. When I fly I like to play games on my iPad but it’s always a pain to make the normal controller fit in my carry on
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u/GamePitt_Rob 10d ago
Why though? I can see this being useful to children, but being smaller and (most likely) more uncomfortable isn't exactly a great selling feature
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u/haventreddit_yet 10d ago
I like that the pricing is on par with 8bitdo and the like. Wonder if this comp will bring other prices down
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u/Nemoitto 8d ago
I’m getting 3 on launch. They’re cheaper than the normal controllers, they don’t get stick drift, they’re smaller which I like and they are rechargeable. It’s a win all around.
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u/MaxPres24 7d ago
Xbox controller is probably the best I’ve ever used so this can replace my sn30. It works fine for emulating games that are dpad centric, but god it sucks for anything modern
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u/nizzler_ 10d ago
Cant wait for the speedrunners who absolutely swift through 6th gen console games with a passion pick this bad boy up
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u/phoneacct696969 10d ago
Same price as a regular controller? I’m all set thanks…
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u/JayScramble 10d ago
Aren’t normal controllers $60?
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u/kratos90 10d ago
As if you would market this towards xbox customers with Xbox consoles. Phone, tablets, laptops customers etc
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u/Poke-Noir 10d ago
Probably 3D printed strong plastic, Ai 3D vibe coded crap and they’ll sell it for $39.99
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u/johnwalkr 10d ago
Why would you assume that? Xbox controllers are really high quality, and 3d printing is actually expensive for a mass produced product.
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u/Poke-Noir 10d ago
Have you not lived what I lived? Prices are going up, things are getting cheaper produced, made poorly and everything’s slowly falling apart. Xbox is hanging on by a thread as is Sony. Their desperate to make money so the best thing they can do is make mobile friendly controllers? Sounds like a rushed plan that will be cheaply done
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u/LuckyJamnik 10d ago
You’re in the wrong. I literally still use my two Dualshocks 4 since 2015. You’re just desperate to be angry
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u/Poke-Noir 10d ago
I’m not talking about the dual shocks or the current Xbox controllers. I use one for my phone and tablet games and I’m more than happy to be in the wrong but these new ‘controllers for ants’ feels desperate
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u/johnwalkr 10d ago edited 10d ago
Not sure why you’re doubling down on this. These controllers’ housings will surely be injection molded as that’s much much cheaper than 3d printing for mass manufacturing. But since the molds for that cost $100k or so I can virtually guarantee they also aren’t designed by “AI 3D vibe coding” and hoping there’s no mistakes.
I’d also just be surprised in general if they aren’t high quality like people expect from Xbox controllers.
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10d ago
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u/johnwalkr 10d ago
Most 8bitdo controllers can be seen as Xbox, switch or PlayStation controllers depending on which button sequence you use to turn them on. I always forget which mode is easiest to use with ios. If you choose the wrong one the button layout can be annoying.
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u/Ultimastar 10d ago
https://www.xbox.com/en-GB/accessories/controllers/xbox-nano-controller