CES 2025: MCON MagSafe Phone Controller Is My Best Showcase (so Far)
Phones are in a strange place right now when it comes to gaming. These are probably the most popular gaming devices on the market , but they suck to play on. While phones are capable of running some pretty demanding games , the lack of built-in physical controls forces most mobile games to make a lot of compromises to fit the format. Even worse, even the best phone controllers are bulky, increase the width of your device, and usually require removing a case. 20-year-old YouTuber Josh King has had enough, and along with peripherals company Ohsnap, he’s releasing the first phone controller I think I’d want to carry with me every day—the MCON.
MCON combines two ideas that, to my surprise, no one had brought to market before King and Ohsnap. Essentially, it uses MagSafe to provide an easy, secure grip on your phone even when it’s on, and the slide-out controls, similar to the slide-out keyboard on older Android phones, help reduce the amount of space taken up by the entire device. when not in use.
The result is a phone controller to my liking. I’m one of the few people who bought the Sony Xperia Play, which also comes with a slide-out controller, and I really miss it. I like the idea of playing a few levels in a platformer or a couple of matches in a shooter in my spare time much more than idly playing Candy Crush ; and yet I thought the industry had passed me by, always teasing me with ever more powerful phones that were nonetheless less usable as gaming devices (at least to my taste) than the Game Boy.
MCON finally seems to unlock the full power of my device in a way that makes me want to use it. Again, this isn’t the first game controller for phones, but I just don’t take the case off every time I want to play, especially if I want quick pick-up-and-play sessions. This is the first real solution to this problem that I’ve seen (no, attaching a clip to your phone and connecting it to a console controller doesn’t work for me either), and it helps that it’s really convenient.
While I experienced MCON firsthand at CES, it’s not entirely new to the show. His story began seven months ago when King posted a video on his YouTube channel talking about the same problems I mentioned above, expressing surprise that no one had beaten him to the MagSafe phone controller, and telling viewers, how he created his own to answer this question. unmet need. The video went viral, and he told me that soon after, he reached out to peripherals company Ohsnap on LinkedIn, impressed by videos of their manufacturing process, and began working with the company to mass produce his design.
Fast forward to now, MCON has a new prototype at CES and an already funded Kickstarter that was launched for the show.
The new version of MCON, which I was able to test just today using my phone in a separate case, is everything I need from a phone controller. This works in your case. It has a full set of controls and drift-resistant joysticks with Hall effect. And while it works natively with MagSafe iPhone, it comes with an adapter that can be used with almost anything.
The idea is simple: When the controller isn’t extended, the MCON looks like a portable MagSafe battery pack, and you can attach your phone to its magnetic surface just like you would. But when you press the slide-out mechanism, the device will unfold to reveal the full controller, and your phone will be securely attached to the magnetic mount above it. Said controller can connect to your phone via Bluetooth or a wired USB-C connection, and there’s even enough room to mount your phone vertically, although that placement will obscure the joysticks.
This magnetic connection is very strong, by the way—during a demo, I saw it used to connect an MCON to a tablet, and not once did I worry about it falling off.
With the project still on Kickstarted, King and Osnap told me that MCON is still a little ways away from release, which is tentatively set for August. It makes sense: the only complaint I had with the demo models at the show was that they seemed a little unfinished, and that’s because they are. I only used prototypes with 3D printed parts, but the final product will use more traditional manufacturing.
However, it looks like MCON has come a long way since King’s original video. The new version adds additional retractable handles and replaces King’s original iPhone-exclusive MagSafe plate with a universal retractable magnetic puck, two of which can be stacked to support particularly thick phones. It also features stacked shoulder and trigger buttons, which were missing from the original prototype.
But there are still a few items left on King and Osnap’s to-do list. While the final device will come with a sliding magnetic puck as the connector, the MCON team plans to release additional phone-specific magnetic pucks that you can use instead, starting with some popular devices like the iPhone. Also on the list is a slim version with shorter joysticks, as well as a potential pro version, although its updates are still under wraps.
Additionally, when the device is released, Ohsnap will publish free 3D printing files for modders so the community can help support MCON as well. While the MCON will only be sold in black or white at launch, other color options are being considered.
However, it must come out first. Kickstarter backers can pre-order the MCON for $99, and King told me that the price of the final product will likely be somewhere between $99 and $150, although that’s still being discussed. To do this, you’ll receive the controller itself, two magnetic pucks, and a MagSafe adapter for use with devices that don’t have MagSafe built-in.
It’s a more modest device, but for me that’s part of the fun of CES. For my needs, this is probably the best I’ve come up with so far. This will really make me want to play on my phone, which essentially means I’ll suddenly have a small, portable gaming console that can run big games like the latest Assassin’s Creed right in my pocket. As someone whose pockets definitely can’t fit a Switch, and who doesn’t want to carry around a bulky traditional phone controller, a phone case, and a phone in a purse or backpack, this is everything I love about the Game Boy and Nintendo DS. the heart wants.