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One-minute review
If you’re searching for a no-nonsense gamepad to use with your phone, then the Acer Nitro Cellular Gaming Controller is a stable selection. It’s gentle on options in comparison with a few of the best mobile controllers on the market, nevertheless it delivers good efficiency the place it counts.
It’s solely obtainable with a USB Sort-C connector, however is totally suitable with each iOS and Android out of the field. It may possibly match a variety of gadgets too, ranging all the way in which from the iPhone 15 or most small Android telephones to greater choices just like the iPhone 15 Pro Max. It even comfortably suits an iPad mini or a small Android gaming pill just like the Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3.
This is a huge advantage given its compact size, as tablet compatibility is normally reserved for larger models like the Razer Kishi Ultra.
Its thumbsticks are on the smaller facet, however they’re completely clean and responsive. The face buttons are a bit mushy, particularly when in comparison with the mechanical ones discovered on the competing Backbone One 2nd Gen, however fortunately by no means impacted in-game efficiency in my testing.
Aesthetically, the Acer Nitro Cellular Gaming Controller is on the essential facet however elevated by small decals and pink highlights. Its plastic and rubber development can also be nothing particular, nevertheless it retains the burden down and feels suitably sturdy for the value.
Though it lacks a headphone jack, which is a disgrace, the inclusion of pass-through charging is a win. It helps 18W quick charging once you’re utilizing a suitable plug, too, which makes protecting your gadget topped up when you play a breeze.
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Price and availability
- Only available in the UK
- RRP of £79.99
- Easy to find for less than £70
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller is currently available in the UK with no official word on a US release quite yet. It is available via the Acer website for £79.99 (around $100 / AU$165), but can easily be found cheaper.
At Very, for example, it costs just £69.99 (around $90 / AU$145), which is a very competitive price and comfortably undercuts the £99.99 Backbone One 2nd Gen (when that latter controller is not on sale).
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Specs
|
Price |
£79.99 (around $100 / AU$165) |
|
Dimensions |
2.5 x 4.4 x 6.2in / 64 x 112 x 157mm |
|
Weight |
0.4lbs / 195.6g |
|
Connection type |
Wired (Type-C) |
|
Compatibility |
iPhone 15 Series, Android |
|
Software |
N/A |
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Design and features
- Folding design
- Compact and light
- Fits a lot of devices
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller clearly takes a lot of inspiration from the successful Backbone One, with the same general kind issue and design. It’s two halves of a small controller separated by an extending mechanism that holds your telephone.
Not like the Spine One, nonetheless, the Acer Nitro Cellular Gaming Controller can fold in at two factors, making it simpler to retailer and transport. This folding mechanism additionally has the good thing about growing gadget compatibility, because it permits you to extra simply match it round bigger telephones or small tablets.
All of the anticipated buttons are current, with a mushy, rounded D-pad and standard face buttons. The face buttons are on the spongy facet, which is a disgrace, however on no account a dealbreaker. The beginning, choose, house, and seize (that’s the little pink one on the right-hand facet) buttons, in distinction, are way more tactile and responsive and really feel higher to press.
The one different notable factor on the entrance is a small indicator LED, which illuminates when your telephone is linked. On the underside of the right-hand grip, additionally, you will discover a Sort-C connector that’s used for pass-through charging. The controller helps 18W quick charging, making it very simple to maintain your telephone stuffed with juice as you play.
At simply 0.4lbs / 195.6g, it feels very gentle, however importantly, not low cost or poorly made. The plastic and rubber right here isn’t fairly as premium as that discovered on the Spine One, however this appears truthful given the distinction in worth.
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller: Performance
- No software required
- Small but comfortable
- Easy to transport
The Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller does not require any software. Simply plug in your phone or tablet and you’re ready to go. On one hand, I appreciate the simplicity of this. Sometimes, you really do just want something that will work perfectly out of the box without the need for any fiddling.
On the other hand, I do miss the many customization options offered by competitors. If you crave the ability to remap buttons or tweak the dead zones of the thumbsticks, for example, this is decidedly not the controller for you.
That aside, performance is good. The controller is small, but still suitably comfortable in the hands. Its analog triggers respond well in fast-paced games like Zenless Zone Zero or Call of Duty Cellular, and the mushy face buttons by no means falter underneath even probably the most fast inputs. Options just like the Asus ROG Tessen carry out noticeably higher due to their extra tactile buttons, however are available at the next worth.
The thumbsticks, whereas small, have a good vary of movement much like these discovered on the unique Pleasure-Con Controllers and are subsequently a good match for many video games. They don’t appear to be utilizing Corridor impact sensors, although, which is unlucky and looks as if a missed alternative for a simple win.
When the controller shouldn’t be in use, its folding design and lightweight weight make it simple to move. I’ve been taking it round in my bag for weeks and have truthfully typically even forgotten that it’s in there. It may possibly even comfortably match into the massive entrance pockets of my coat, although your mileage on this regard might differ.
Should I buy the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller?
Buy it if…
Don’t buy it if…
Also consider
These two alternatives are slightly pricier than the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller, but offer greater functionality.
| Row 0 – Cell 0 |
Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller |
Asus ROG Tessen |
Backbone One 2nd Gen |
|
Price |
£79.99 (around $100 / AU$165) |
$109.99 / £109.99 / AU$179 |
$99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99 |
|
Dimensions |
2.5 x 4.4 x 6.2in / 64 x 112 x 157mm |
7.5 x 3.6 x 1.5in / 191.5 x 92 x 40mm |
6.93 x 3.70 x 1.34in / 176 x 94 x 34mm |
|
Weight |
0.4lbs / 195.6g |
0.29 lbs / 136g |
0.30 lbs / 138g |
|
Connection type |
Wired (Type-C) |
Wired (Type-C) |
Wired (Type-C / Lightning) |
|
Compatibility |
iPhone 15 Series, Android |
Android |
iPhone 15 Series, Android / iPhone 14 series, and earlier |
|
Software |
N/A |
Armoury Crate (Android) |
Backbone App |
How I tested the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller
- Tested for multiple weeks
- Tried with both Android and iOS
- Used in a range of games
I tested the Acer Nitro Mobile Gaming Controller over multiple months, using it as my primary mobile gaming controller. During that time, I tried it with both Android and iOS devices, mainly my iPhone 15 Plus and Porsche Design Honor Magic 7 RSR. I additionally tried the controller with my compact Lenovo Legion Tab Gen 3 gaming pill.
I used the controller to play a variety of video games, together with Name of Responsibility Cellular and Zenless Zone Zero, along with the likes of Hitman: Blood Money Reprisal, and extra. All through my time with the controller, I in contrast its efficiency to my hands-on testing of many different cellular controllers, such because the Spine One 2nd Gen, Turtle Beach Atom, Scuf Nomad, and Razer Kishi Extremely.
First reviewed July 2025