RIP Backbone One — I just saw the ultimate mobile game controller at CES 2024

Serafim S3 controller
(Image credit: Future)

At CES 2024, I got the chance to try out the Serafim S3 Cloud Gaming Controller. While the name may not be as catchy or memorable as the Backbone One, this new smartphone pad matches or beats it in almost every other way. 

With customizability built into its fundamental design, a super comfortable ergonomic grip and compatibility to fit a whole host of thick and thin smartphones (even foldables like the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5), there is a lot to love here (and even more that I didn’t mention in that list).

For special (hall) effect

So to many nerds (shout-out), the phrase “hall effect joysticks” and “hall effect triggers” will be enough to have you channelling your inner Fry from Futurama and literally demanding that Serafim take your money.

But to explain it real quick, it is impossible for these joysticks to ever drift. If you’ve suffered the dreaded joystick drift with the likes of your Nintendo Switch OLED, you’ll know how huge this is. Not only that, but there isn’t a dead zone either — just nothing but smooth, seamless movement.

The whole hog

Serafim S3 controller

(Image credit: Future)

One of the reasons why Backbone One has remained dominant (in my opinion) is the fact the experience doesn’t stop at just the hardware. The Backbone app is easily best-in-class at providing a gaming OS for access to your entire on-phone library…well at least it was.

Serafirm is offering a lot of the same features, such as screenshotting, one-click recording, and easy access to all your recently played titles, but without the need to pay for a Backbone subscription to unlock all the features.

This is my next controller

Serafim S3 controller

(Image credit: Future)

Pair these with interchangeable grips for fine-tuned ergonomics and that additional depth of the controller’s brace to support super thick phones, then you’ll see just how impressive this system is, and how it’s well worth your hard-earned money… if only Serafim would release it!

Currently, Serafim is aiming for the first half of the year, and did confirm exclusively to Tom’s Guide that the price will be “less than $199.” You may be paying more of a premium for the additional hardware, but it will be so worth it.


Check out our CES 2024 hub for all the latest news from the show as it happens. Follow the Tom’s Guide team in Las Vegas as we cover everything AI, as well as the best new TVs, laptops, fitness gear, wearables and smart home gadgets at the show.

And be sure to check out the Tom's Guide TikTok channel for all the newest videos from CES!

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Jason England
Managing Editor — Computing

Jason brings a decade of tech and gaming journalism experience to his role as a Managing Editor of Computing at Tom's Guide. He has previously written for Laptop Mag, Tom's Hardware, Kotaku, Stuff and BBC Science Focus. In his spare time, you'll find Jason looking for good dogs to pet or thinking about eating pizza if he isn't already.

  • Nedprks
    You've gotta give the Gamesir G8 a shot...

    It's half the price, maybe less than this controller. Buttons feel amazing compared to the razer Kishi v1, gamesir X2 or the backbone. The ergonomics are amazing, I have large hands, and despite buying all of the controllers I just mentioned. The G8 is hands down, the only one I can comfortably play games on. It looks great, in a uh... Every gaming thing wants to be a retro handheld kinda way?

    In regard to the benefits of the controller mentioned in the article, this also has hall effect analogue sticks (they're interchangeable thanks to magnetic face plates. It absolutely fits anything from small to large - I personally use an s23 ultra and it's PERFECT. But I've tried friends folds, a flip and a pixel 7 (normal).

    Personally, it's bee as close to perfect as I can imagine.
    Reply
  • Darian Starfrog
    Nedprks said:
    You've gotta give the Gamesir G8 a shot...

    It's half the price, maybe less than this controller. Buttons feel amazing compared to the razer Kishi v1, gamesir X2 or the backbone. The ergonomics are amazing, I have large hands, and despite buying all of the controllers I just mentioned. The G8 is hands down, the only one I can comfortably play games on. It looks great, in a uh... Every gaming thing wants to be a retro handheld kinda way?

    In regard to the benefits of the controller mentioned in the article, this also has hall effect analogue sticks (they're interchangeable thanks to magnetic face plates. It absolutely fits anything from small to large - I personally use an s23 ultra and it's PERFECT. But I've tried friends folds, a flip and a pixel 7 (normal).

    Personally, it's bee as close to perfect as I can imagine.
    Thanks! Just ordered one, every review gave it 5 stars, and said out of every one type they've bought, this one was by far the best. Now I wait.. thanks again!
    Reply
  • brownjames112
    You should check out the Turtle Beach Atom controller, it's a great device that folds up so much smaller and is a bunch cheaper too. I've got one for myself and one for my son, they're great 👍.
    Reply
  • Nedprks
    Darian Starfrog said:
    Thanks! Just ordered one, every review gave it 5 stars, and said out of every one type they've bought, this one was by far the best. Now I wait.. thanks again!
    I hope you like it! I'm honestly so happy with it, besides the Gamesir X2, it's the cheapest of all the controllers that I've bought, and it feels like the most premium while also managing to tick so many other boxes!

    I really want to sell my phone and replace it with something a bit better for gaming, but it fits the s23 Ultra SO well. My housemate got hands on with an engineering sample of the 24U the other day though, and it sounds like it fixes my main issues with that too... So maybe I'll upgrade.
    Reply
  • Darian Starfrog
    I'm still using my s21ultra, never had any issues myself.. and yes, the gamesir is AWESOME! All anyone would ever need! Most of my games are auto mapped, and it's very easy to manually map if need be, it all feels so comfortable too. One thing I always notice afterward though, is my huge phone, now feels tiny! Lol
    Reply