Relying on Abxylute’s mobile controller for your phone takes a significant leap of trust.

As a fan of retro gaming, I was excited when Apple allowed emulators on its App Store in 2024, but I still haven’t found a controller that makes me want to dive into retro gaming on my phone. Clamp-on controllers like the Backbone Pro feel too bulky, and I’m not keen on propping my phone up to use a standalone gamepad. The Abxylute M4 seemed like the perfect solution when it launched a few months back. This compact wireless gamepad uses a magnetic mount to attach directly to my iPhone. While the design is innovative, it falls short due to stiff thumbsticks and a magnetic mount that doesn’t always feel secure.

The Abxylute M4 consists of two parts: a retro-styled rectangular gamepad that connects to your smartphone via Bluetooth, and a Q-shaped mount that secures the controller to your phone, giving it a handheld console feel. The mount works with MagSafe iPhone models and the Google Pixel 10 Series. I primarily tested it with an iPhone 16 Pro, but Abxylute provides an adhesive metal ring to make it compatible with any phone.

The magnetic mount grips my iPhone as securely as any MagSafe accessory or Qi2 charger I’ve used. It won’t budge until you want it to. The smooth finish allows for rotation, letting you attach the gamepad so it hides behind your phone instead of sticking out. However, the whole setup is too bulky to fit in a pocket, so I’ve been taking it off when I’m not gaming.

One drawback of the M4’s design is that it only supports landscape orientation when attached. In vertical mode, the controller doesn’t extend far enough for all controls to be easily accessible. While this isn’t necessarily a dealbreaker, as a long-time Game Boy enthusiast, I prefer vertical gameplay. Newer mobile controllers like the GameSir Pocket Taco and the 8BitDo FlipPad offer that flexibility.

A more significant issue with the M4 is the connection between the mount and the controller. It relies on a strong magnet to snap the controller into place, but the connection doesn’t always feel robust enough to keep the mount securely attached while my phone is in use.

The connection feels stable when I’m holding the M4 and my phone in front of me, but at certain angles or with a slight bump, the mount can detach from the gamepad. It also disconnects if you accidentally turn the whole setup upside down, which could lead to a drop. Thankfully, I was testing it on a soft surface.

I’m not alone in experiencing this issue; others have reported similar behavior. The connection might hold better with a lighter phone, like the iPhone Air, but given the investment in smartphones (my iPhone 16 Pro cost nearly CA$1,500, or about $1,100 US), I’m hesitant to rely on the M4 as intended.

The M4 isn’t solely dependent on its magnetic mount; it can function as a standalone controller for phones, consoles, or any Bluetooth-compatible device. I was pleasantly surprised by how comfortable it felt in my large hands. Its square design allows easy access to the shoulder buttons without awkward finger positioning, and the build quality feels solid.

The controller features four action buttons that are small but provide a satisfying resistance. The large D-pad is a bit mushy and can register multiple inputs at once, but it’s sufficient for casual gaming. If you’re aiming for high scores, you might want to look elsewhere.

Abxylute has included two analog joysticks, a feature not commonly found in controllers of this size. They use a sliding disc design similar to the Nintendo 3DS, but they’re less effective. The joysticks on the M4 are stiff and uncomfortable, making precise movements difficult. After just a few races in Mario Kart World, my thumb was sore, and I can’t see myself using those joysticks again.

At $49, the Abxylute M4 is one of the more affordable options for turning your smartphone into a handheld console, but the risks may not be worth it. While its promise attracted over $300,000 in funding from nearly 6,000 backers on Kickstarter, many may find themselves frustrated if they’re not careful while using it. Trusting a $1,000 smartphone to the M4 requires a leap of faith that feels a bit too risky for me.