In a sea of smartphone game controllers with thick grips, obtrusive analog sticks, and stiff backplates, Ohsnap’s MCON stands out. It’s a gamepad that basically turns any phone into a supercharged Xperia Play, complete with a Hall-effect joystick, a silent button, and a handle that extends from the base. There’s also a bumper-style trigger and an actual bumper. Attaching the MCON to the back of your phone creates a slightly chunky but uniform profile that fits smoothly into your pocket. When you’re ready to start playing, your phone pops up from your gamepad with a satisfying flick.
MCON communicates with your smartphone via Bluetooth, so no cables or connections are required. We use MagSafe to connect to the iPhone, and for Android, a MagSafe adapter is included in the box. This is a 2mm thick disc that sticks to the back of your phone or case. This covers basically every smartphone out there, and you can even stack multiple connectivity packs to create an unnatural space that bumps into the camera. Ohsnap’s goal is to support iOS, Android, Xbox, PC, and Mac, and PlayStation is a dream platform.
Ohsnap and MCON creator Josh King showed off the gamepad with a nearly completed prototype at CES 2025. The final version will feature silicone on the top of the analog stick, a cover for the spring mechanism, and more detailed specifications in all aspects. King said he’s still not satisfied with the D-pad either. But even in its current form, the MCON is a fascinating little peripheral. It feels great, is lightweight, yet sturdy enough to support and toss a full-sized smartphone, and folds into a compact rectangle that’s easy to hold.
Snapping it open requires pressing two buttons on the top of the controller behind the connected phone, and requires the right amount of finger pressure and angle. It took me a few tries to get the pop to work out, mainly because I have long manicured nails, but I was able to use an actual nail tip to make the magic happen. I did.
King found my Samsung Z Flip 6 and immediately began troubleshooting how to get the foldable device to work with MCON. A slight movement of the mounting puck allows it to connect to the lower back quadrant of the phone rather than the center hinge, he explained. He said he is confident it will work and has already confirmed that the Galaxy Z Fold will be compatible with MCON. King’s goal is for MCON to fully support all smartphones.
of MCON Kickstarter was released on January 2, and four days later had raised more than $740,000 of its $25,000 goal. King’s concept is having a little fun viral fame Over the years, he eventually took the idea to Ohsnap, an established accessory manufacturer with a focus on MagSafe. With these features combined, MCON is scheduled to ship in August for $150.
