Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
The first time I got my hands on a telescopic controller, it felt like magic. Turning my phone into a Nintendo Switch made it far more fun to play, and it made me swear off touchscreen controls for good.
But a few years later, the limitations of telescopic controllers are really starting to grate on me. For starters, they’re not very portable. Early models, like the first Razer Kishi, folded up into a smallish square, but newer models all have the same H-shaped design that doesn’t pack up nearly as neatly. As my bag has slowly filled up with coloring books, crayons, cards, and other things to keep my kids entertained, bag space has increasingly come at a premium. Bulky telescopic controllers didn’t make the cut.
I’ve also been absolutely spoiled by the rise of dedicated gaming handhelds. Nowadays, they come in all shapes and sizes, and all of them are more comfortable than a phone with Joy Cons strapped on either side.
However, a new category of controller has emerged in the last few months, and it has completely revitalized my interest in gaming on my phone. They’re small, comfortable to use, and most importantly, highly portable.
And the secret sauce? Magnets.
How do you prefer to play games on your phone? 2 votes Touchscreen only 50 % Standard Bluetooth controllers 0 % Telescopic controllers 50 % Other (leave a comment) 0 %
My gateway to magnetic controllers
Nick Fernandez / Android Authority
My first taste of the magnetic controller revolution was the Abxylute M4, which still has a few days left in crowdfunding as I’m writing this (with sales moving to the website after that). The tiny Bluetooth controller caught my eye when it was announced back in August, and while it’s not perfect, it’s so convenient that it’s become the only controller I still take with me everywhere I go.
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