Mcon Controller Review: Price, Performance, Specifications

The new Mcon controller balances portability and performance in a compact, MagSafe-compatible design for iPhone gamers.

Game controllers generally come in two versions. You will find extremely comfortable and efficient models, as well as small and portable models.

Finding a controller that is both portable and efficient is rare to say the least. The OhSnap Mcon is the first one I’ve tested that makes good compromise choices and uses MagSafe for easy connection to the iPhone.

Mcon Mobile Gaming Controller Review: Design

Mcon has a very cool design. It’s about the size of my iPhone 17 Pro, but a bit thicker.

It connects to your iPhone with MagSafe and provides a sturdy hold. When you’re ready to play, simply press the silver button located where your fingers rest.

When the button is pressed, the controller opens. Bluetooth is activated and the iPhone is positioned just above the controller buttons.

It’s just fun to do and it’s satisfying whoosh and click. I also appreciate that the phone doesn’t just slide forward; it tilts slightly upwards to make it more comfortable.

With the controller open, you can then rotate two additional palm grips around the back. This puts you in a natural gaming position with access to joysticks, triggers and all other buttons.

Speaking of the buttons, their layout is rather interesting. It’s like a combination of a PlayStation controller and an Xbox controller.

It uses the XYAB buttons used by Xbox, but it uses dual-centered joysticks like PlayStation does. The button labels are mostly irrelevant and I much prefer this joystick setup to the Xbox’s.

These joysticks use what OhSnap calls MagRes technology which promises to be ultra-precise, lag-free and drift-free. OhSnap even claims that it is superior to the well-respected Hall effect mechanics.

You can use the controller via Bluetooth or use it wired via USB-C. If you’re going wireless, you can switch to “bounce mode” by pressing the eject button and removing the MagSafe module.

This gives you a magnetic holder for your phone that you can place wherever you want and then relax with the wireless controller. It is very clever how the metal arm that acts as a support also serves as a central guide and stabilizer when opening and closing it.

Mcon Mobile Gaming Controller Review: Gaming Performance

I don’t consider myself a professional gamer by any means, but I’m certainly an enthusiast. I’ve long been a proponent of more console-level games coming to iPhone, iPad, and Mac.

Shortly after launch, I eagerly downloaded Assassin’s Creed Mirage, Hitman World of AssassinationAnd Red Dead Redemption. Not to mention many other mobile specific games like PowerWash simulator, Fall of the throne, Mobile Call of DutyOr Alto’s Odyssey.

I’ve been testing the Mcon controller with most of these games over the past few weeks. Although it was not perfect, it was very reliable to use.

All buttons were incredibly tactile, providing solid click every time you press them. The bumpers and triggers also felt reliable, although they were skinny, leaving my finger a little unsupported.

For me, joysticks are the most important control, and OhSnap did a great job with these. They are absolutely small, but there was barely any dead zone in the middle and they were very responsive when using them.

I think all of these buttons are premium in design and performance, but are slightly smaller to accommodate the laptop’s footprint.

Mcon Mobile Game Controller Review: Should You Buy It?

With mobile gaming being as popular as it is, there is no shortage of controllers on the market. We’ve reviewed several here at AppleInsider.

For standalone controllers, I’m still the biggest fan of the DualSense controller which is MFi certified and even has a simplified pairing process with iOS 26. The Razer Kishi Ultra is also a great option.

Both are definitely more comfortable than the Mcon. They fit your hand better and the buttons are bigger.

However, neither one nor the equally popular Backbone will fit in your pocket. This portability is ultimately what matters most with the Mcon.

You can find more comfortable controllers, but you’d be hard-pressed to find a portable one as solid as this one.

Mcon Mobile Gaming Controller Review: Pros

• Premium construction with metal parts
• Hall triggers and mag-res joysticks
• Simple MagSafe connection
• Works wired or wireless

Mcon Mobile Gaming Controller Review: Cons

• Not the most comfortable controller on the market
• Relatively expensive

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

Where to buy the OhSnap Mcon controller

Pre-order the next batch of Mcon controllers for $144 with shipping resuming in mid-January.