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Among smartphone gaming controllers with chunky grips, analog sticks and sturdy constructions, the MCON by Ohsnap stands out. It’s a gamepad that turns any phone into a full-fledged Xperia Play, with Hall effect sensors, silent buttons and handles that can pop out from the bottom. It also has bumper-style triggers and real bumpers. When attached to the back of the phone, the MCON creates a small but compact profile that fits in a pocket without any fuss. When you are ready to start playing, the phone comes out of the game mode with a pleasant sound.
The MCON connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, no cables or pairing required. It uses MagSafe to connect to iPhones, and for Androids, there will be a MagSafe adapter included in the box – this is a 2 millimeters thick disc that sticks to the back of your phone or bag. This covers every smartphone out there, and it’s possible to install multiple contact pucks to create a complex camera setup. Ohsnap’s goal is to support iOS, Android, Xbox, PC and Mac, and PlayStation as a pipe dream platform.
Ohsnap developer and MCON Josh King showed off the game at CES 2025 with a near-complete image. The final model will have silicone tips on the analogue sticks, a mechanical spring cover and many finesse all around. King said he wasn’t satisfied with the D-pad yet. But even as it stands, MCON is a little sweet. It feels great – light but strong enough to support and drop a larger smartphone – and it folds into a small corner that’s perfect for holding.
Opening it involves pressing two buttons on top of the controller, behind the connected phone, and requires a lot of finger pressure and grunting. It took me a few tries to get the pop right, mostly because I have long nails, but I was able to use my exact tips to make the magic happen.
When King saw my Samsung Z Flip 6, he immediately started troubleshooting to make the foldable work with MCON. You just have to move the mounting puck slightly, so it connects to the back of the phone instead of the center hinge, he said. He was confident that he could handle it, and said he had already confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold was compatible with MCON. King’s goal is that MCON will support all smartphones.
The MCON Kickstarter it went live on January 2nd and, after four days, had collected more than $740,000 of the $25,000 goal. King’s opinion is a little happy viral popularity for years, and eventually took the idea to Ohsnap, the maker of the MagSafe standard. With their combined power, the MCON is on track to ship in August for a price of $150.
