Name: Backbone One Mobile Controller (2nd Gen)
Brand: Backbone One
Price: 70 USD

Summary

Backbone Labs revealed the Backbone One - Xbox Edition, a new premium mobile gaming controller.
Backbone's latest gamepad comes with a complimentary month-long Xbox Game Pass Ultimate sub, but only for new members.

Backbone Labs launched its latest mobile gaming controller, the Backbone One - Xbox Edition, which comes with a free Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. Like its name implies, the newly debuted gamepad offers some Xbox-specific functionality.

Backbone Labs was established in 2018 by former Googler Maneet Khaira. The startup's first-generation Backbone One controller—released in October 2020—was funded with investments from popular YouTubers MrBeast and Typical Gamer, as well as Kwebbelkop and Ashton Kutcher, among other partners.

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The Atherton, California-based company has now announced its latest product in the form of the Backbone One - Xbox Edition. This is essentially the Xbox counterpart to the previously launched PlayStation version of the Backbone One. Aside from coming in a translucent dark green body, what makes this gamepad stand out from the rest of Backbone's lineup is its Xbox controller layout. It also ships with a month-long Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription. The controller can be ordered starting today, March 27, via Backbone's official website and Best Buy. It's priced at $109.99, the same as the regular Backbone One and the PlayStation Edition of the gamepad.

Backbone One - Xbox Edition Game Pass Ultimate Sub Comes With Some Limitations

As for the complimentary Xbox Game Pass Ultimate subscription, this offer comes with some limitations. Notably, the bonus is only offered to new members, though this doesn't necessarily mean those who were never subscribed to the service. The sporadic $1 Game Pass deal has this identical restriction, but defines "new" as anyone who hasn't had a membership for a while. However, exactly how long someone must be without a subscription to qualify has historically varied greatly. Another limitation to consider is that while the Backbone One - Xbox Edition is sold globally, the Ultimate tier of Xbox Game Pass is only available in approximately 40 countries the world over. Lastly, the promo code for the month-long subscription that ships with the controller expires on March 31, 2028.

Backbone One - Xbox Edition Is Positioned as a Premium Mobile Gaming Controller

In terms of features, the newly launched gamepad is said to offer the same benefits as other variants of the Backbone One, all of which aim to deliver a premium mobile gaming experience. Its precision thumbsticks, buttons, and overall shape are all touted as engineered for extended playing sessions. The Backbone One - Xbox Edition should hence be able to go toe to toe with the best mobile gaming controllers on the market.

Backbone One - Xbox Edition Specs

USB-C
3.5mm headset jack
Low-latency controls
Height: 3.70 inches (93.9 mm)
Width (Contracted): 6.94 inches (176.2 mm)
Width (Extended): 10.14 inches (257.6 mm)
Depth: 1.28 inches (32.6 mm)
Weight: 4.87 ounces (138.0 g)
Charging: the Backbone One does not have a battery. Backbone One uses minimal power from your smartphone for long gameplay sessions.
In the box: Backbone One, Quick Start Guide, Safety Sheet
System requirements: All iPhone models with iOS 17 or later, and all Android models with Android 6.0 (Marshmallow) or later.
Compatible with the most popular USB-C mobile devices from Apple, Samsung, Google, Xiaomi, Oppo, Vivo, Huawei, Realme, and Motorola, including the all-new iPhone 16 series.

The gamepad is compatible with most smartphones equipped with a USB-C port. Its Xbox button serves different functions, depending on how it's used. By default, a single press opens one's Xbox game library or an Xbox guide within a supported game, whereas a double press is used for taking screenshots or starting and stopping gameplay recordings. Finally, holding the button enables secondary in-game controls for streamlined gameplay. XGP Ultimate subscribers can access Xbox Cloud Gaming directly from the Backbone app.

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