My favorite part of any major tech event is finding something new I’d not yet seen, or in this case, even heard about. That something new is the Ohsnap! MCON, the self-titled “Switchblade of Mobile” controllers, is a super-nifty handheld gaming controller with MagSafe support, Hall-effect joysticks, ultra-quiet buttons, and a seriously powerful sliding mechanism.
The MCON makes portable gaming ridiculously easy
The Ohsnap! MCON actually first launched back at CES 2025 in January, so this isn’t a world’s first or breaking news. But it’s the first time I’d seen and used it, and I was suitably impressed. Ohsnap! actually ran a successful Kickstarter for the MCON in January, and units are shipping out, plus appearing in Best Buy, Target, and other stores.
There are a couple of features that really set the MCON apart from other mobile controllers.
One is that the MCON is designed to stay connected to your smartphone at all times. Unlike other controllers where you slot the smartphone into the unit or similar, the MCON’s slimline design means it can stay connected and still slip comfortably into your pocket.
The MCON is just 5.67 inches long and only 0.72 inches thick. It’s specifically designed for gamers on the go, which, as cringe-inducing as that phrasing is, fits the bill perfectly. Once you slide the MCON screen holder down, you have a slightly chunkier smartphone than before, but it’s nothing like the enormous clip-in controllers I’ve previously used.
That the MCON is also MagSafe is another huge plus. It includes a MagSafe-compatible magnet to snap your device to the controller, and once in place, it feels remarkably secure. It slots out with the tap of a button at the rear of the unit (and does it with some force, so be careful there), but it feels strong and well-made.
The screen attachment slides up to reveal the MCON’s integrated Hall-effect joysticks and buttons, which sit nicely in the controller’s frame. The inclusion of Hall-effect joysticks on a small, portable gaming controller is a great feature, as they allow much greater precision and incremental movements rather than the “all or nothing” feeling you may experience with other controllers.
I also found the buttons very quiet. I was testing the MCON on a busy show floor at IFA 2025, but I didn’t really notice any significant clicking or otherwise when I tested the controller. The shoulder pad triggers also felt responsive and easy enough to use, though I can see the slightly smaller L1 and R1 triggers being a little trickier due to their size.
On the underside of the MCON are two fold-out feet that you can adjust so that they also become part of the controller. It makes the MCON feel more like a PlayStation or Xbox controller, and definitely makes the experience more comfortable (and hopefully, more accurate in games).
It’s not just for Apple devices
So, I’m sure the Android gaming enthusiasts were reading that and thinking, “Meh.” But the MCON is also compatible with Android devices via the MagSafe adapter, which is included in the box. Alternatively, you could buy a magnetic smartphone case, which would save you from having to adhere something to your actual device.
Either way, the option is there.
Ohsnap! also includes two 2.5mm pucks that help you position any phone on the controller. They act as spacers that essentially provide phones with a larger camera housing with some clearance. It means your smartphone will feel balanced while attached to the MCON, rather than having one end slightly raised and off-balance.
The MCON is battery-powered, uses Bluetooth, and is repair-friendly
You connect your device to the MCON using Bluetooth, which works really well. I didn’t notice any significant lag between inputs when I played with the MCON. It all felt nicely fluid and accurate, which, when you’re gaming, is vital. However, there is also a wired option if that’s what you prefer.
The MCON isn’t powered by your phone, though. It has a large battery that can last weeks on a single charge, and I was told that in sleep mode, the MCON will last for nearly a year. Now, I obviously haven’t had the chance to check out these claims, but given the minimal power required to run a small controller like this, it seems like it could be accurate.
Better still, the MCON only takes 30 minutes to reach a full charge, so you can plug it into a USB-C charger before leaving the house and know that it won’t run out of juice on your big journey or morning commute.
Another plus point is that the MCON is DIY repair-friendly. The Ohsnap! team designed the MCON with us everyday folks in mind, and that means you can take a screwdriver to the controller and fix it if you need. It also supports interchangeable parts, such as the top plates, grips, and so on. It’s a really impressive move that I wish more companies would take note of.
The Ohsnap! MCON controller is available for $149, and for that price, you’re getting a great bit of gaming hardware that will last you years.
Make sure to check out our best of IFA 2025 awards to see the best new tech from this year’s show!
