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8bitDo Reveals Flip-Style iPhone Controller for Portrait Mode Gaming

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In time for CES 2026, gaming company 8BitDo is teasing a new controller designed for smartphone users who want to play games exclusively in portrait mode.

8bitdo-flip-controller-iphone.jpg

The FlipPad connects to iOS and Android devices via the USB-C port, and snaps onto the bottom half of the screen via a hinge mechanism, reminiscent of a classic flip phone keyboard.

The controller features a black D-Pad, red ABXY buttons, Start and Select buttons, and six white buttons along the top and on the bottom corners that are likely to be custom-assignable.


8bitDo says the FlipPad is "officially supported by Apple" and will arrive in the summer, though the company has not yet revealed pricing information.

Last month, 8bitDo teased the unveiling of a new "Pro" controller at CES 2026, so we might also get more details about the FlipPad in the coming week as the tech event in Las Vegas gets underway.

Article Link: 8bitDo Reveals Flip-Style iPhone Controller for Portrait Mode Gaming
 
Article Link
https://www.macrumors.com/2026/01/05/8bitdo-iphone-controller-portrait-gaming/
Last edited:
Interesting to see this product. However won’t be buying one as I definitely do not play a lot of games on my iPhone. But waiting to hear its price.
 
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macjaffa said:
Access the part of the screen it covers? Isn’t that so obviously self evident that it is immediately apparent?
Click to expand...
It'd make more sense if it folded all the way around to the back for normal phone use. It just sits there - open, so then you have to close it back up with the buttons on the screen for the entire time you have the phone in your pocket?

I don't know about that chief - something that just slides on and off would seem to make more sense.
 
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dannys1 said:
It'd make more sense if it folded all the way around to the back for normal phone use. It just sits there - open, so then you have to close it back up with the buttons on the screen for the entire time you have the phone in your pocket?

I don't know about that chief - something that just slides on and off would seem to make more sense.
Click to expand...
Probably so you can switch games or answer a text real quick while playing a game.
 
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contacos said:
Wouldn't each game / app require support for this?
Click to expand...
It already does because its supported by Apple, so its part of their API to work with games.

Interested in how people view this, as there was a ton of hate for someone making a physical keyboard for an iPhone.
 
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dannys1 said:
It'd make more sense if it folded all the way around to the back for normal phone use. It just sits there - open, so then you have to close it back up with the buttons on the screen for the entire time you have the phone in your pocket?

I don't know about that chief - something that just slides on and off would seem to make more sense.
Click to expand...
It does slide on and off, how do you think it attaches ? You don't attache this for 'normal phone use'. honestly. It clearly flips out the way of the screen, so you can access the screen, while the device is still attached. Rocket science level stuff here.
 
Plugs directly into the USB-C port, and sits flush across the bottom. It'll work great for 2% of people who don't use a case.

Edit: Never mind, it's not flush, but would still bump against the lip of a case, I think?
 
I'll be looking seriously into this. Having many of my retro N64/SNES, etc. games in the Delta app on my phone it is a ton of fun to play some of those mobile with a controller, this would be far more portable than bring a dedicated controller along though so if it is good it might be a great option to have. I love my consoles and their dedicated games when I am home but having access to them on my phone is awesome when elsewhere. As someone else mentioned the price is where we will see though... I also wouldn't spend $50+ but if it was closer to the $30-35 range it's probably going to be in my hands sooner rather than later.
 
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How popular are these bolt on controllers?
I've never seen anyone use one in the wild
 
dannys1 said:
It'd make more sense if it folded all the way around to the back for normal phone use. It just sits there - open, so then you have to close it back up with the buttons on the screen for the entire time you have the phone in your pocket?

I don't know about that chief - something that just slides on and off would seem to make more sense.
Click to expand...
This isn’t hard to understand lol. If you put it into your pocket, you unplug the attachment. It’s meant to flip in and out while you’re both using the controller and using the phone in its regular use. You don’t keep it attached forever.
 
My iPhone has no room for this. Does the company plan on making the module to fit different sizes of phone?
 
Stuff like this always makes me wonder about what if Apple bought Nintendo after the flop of the WiiU/before the Switch blew up?

Apple designed hardware with Nintendo software would have been an interesting combo.
 
I've learned that I don't like having controls attached to the screen, as it ends up shaking/moving the screen during gameplay.

I like to use Delta on an iPad with the fullsize OEM Nintendo Bluetooth SNES & N64 (or other) controllers.
 
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Maybe it should come with a magnifier lens, because wow, that game looks tiny in vertical mode on that screen.
If you play arcade games that are actually made for vertical mode, isn't it going to be blocking part of the play area?
 
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