Spine One evaluate: case pleasant and ergonomic
Spine One neatly refined its iPhone controller with higher ergonomics and magnetic adapters for an improved match, however competitors is fierce, making the $100 controller a tougher promote.
I really like Spine One for its minimal design and portability. The Lightning model saved a spot in my gaming gear till USB-C iPhones took over.
After I reviewed the primary Spine One in 2020, it was a superb entry into an area that appeared prefer it had fallen off. At the moment, Spine has to cope with a lot stronger competitors from firms like Gamesir, Gamevice, and Razer.
Regardless of all of this elevated competitors, I imagine Spine One has struck a stable stability in dimension and have set. The Spine app is a great addition and is healthier executed than others.
I am proud of the second-generation Spine One, however it might have performed too protected at this value level. This is how the options break down.
Spine One evaluate — design
Of the favored choices, Spine One is definitely the smallest and most transportable. Positive, some opponents have the choice of collapsing the controller right into a smaller sq. form, however these are so cumbersome that it is probably not space-saving.
Spine One evaluate: a compact gaming choice with a well-recognized format
Spine One is sufficiently small that I’ve discovered myself carrying it in my again pocket or jacket pocket with no second thought. Its dimension is an enormous energy.
As soon as iPhone 15 went all-in on USB-C, it was clear accent makers would must be fast. Spine One and others prefer it already had Android variations accessible, however Spine did one higher and launched an improved second technology in Lightning and USB-C earlier in 2024.
Not like some producers that chase radical designs and flashy lights, Spine saved it easy. The brand new mannequin is sort of equivalent, however edges look smoothed out and the grip is total extra snug.
The D-pad has been redesigned, however in any other case, the buttons really feel the identical as earlier than. The inserted iPhone feels rather more steady than earlier than, thanks primarily to the brand new adapter system.
Just like the earlier mannequin, clients can select between a black colorway with Xbox-like A, B, X, and Y face buttons and a white colorway with PlayStation insignia. There’s a new black or white carrying case as effectively.
Magnetic adapters for match
One of many largest issues with recreation controller grips just like the Spine One was how precise the design was. Controller makers designed the units to precisely match an iPhone or comparable sized smartphone with little or no wiggle room.
Spine One evaluate: small and medium circumstances match positive
It was an expectation that customers would wish to take away any sort of case in an effort to use the controller. That has been considerably alleviated.
The Gamevice Flex I reviewed put loads of area within the grips for as much as a big case thickness and included adapters to higher grip thinner circumstances or the cellphone itself. Spine One has performed comparable issues however on a smaller scale.
The empty controller is at its widest setting. I do not personal any extremely thick circumstances like an Otterbox Defender, however I can say these would not match anyway.
Of the entire circumstances I examined from Pitaka, Nomad, and Shiftcam, all of them may match within the Spine One. A Spigen particular version that appears like a Bondi blue iMac G3 did not match, however not due to thickness, as a result of the port could not attain the connector lengthwise.
Spine One evaluate: extra stability because of magnetic inserts
There are two magnetic adapters included, small and enormous. The big adapter is the one you’d use in the event you go caseless together with your iPhone. Not even my Nomad leather-based magnetic pores and skin may match on this exact adapter.
The small adapter is sweet for all small to medium-sized circumstances. The thickness ought to be minimal, nearly including nothing to the iPhone.
Having no adapter permits for a lot of common dimension circumstances to suit. At this level, it’s purely depending on the general thickness of the again aspect of the case and the rim on the USB-C port.
Particularly thick and protecting circumstances will not work with the Spine One. One thing just like the Gamevice Flex can accommodate thicker circumstances, however not a lot thicker, and it means the controller itself is thicker, too.
The magnetic inserts are a intelligent thought. Theoretically you may solely have to take care of them one time when figuring out which one you would possibly want, after that, simply slip the cellphone in and play.
Spine One evaluate — options
Characteristic sensible, the Spine One hasn’t modified a bit. It nonetheless has the identical face buttons, shoulder buttons, and app launcher.
Spine One evaluate: USB-C out to a Mac or iPad
The rear spring mechanism feels extra sturdy, however that could be a placebo. As a minimum, the iPhone feels extra sturdy and safe within the grips than earlier than.
The 4 buttons throughout the underside of the controllers are mapped based mostly on system features. The ellipsis button can mute the microphone in some multiplayer video games or be used as a begin/choose button in others.
The button with an open sq. is a screenshot or display screen recording button. Screenshots are carried out by urgent and holding the button, which then saves the picture to your picture library.
The display screen recording perform is slightly odd and defaults the identical as I reported within the authentic evaluate. It begins recording with a press and stops recording with one other press, nevertheless, customers can now swap this perform from the Spine app controller settings.
Spine One evaluate: a devoted app launcher button
The recording is saved to a folder within the Spine app the place the person can share the video or reserve it to their picture library. The spotlight function, the place the video may be uploaded and shared through a hyperlink, continues to be current.
Keep in mind, because the Spine One is utilizing the system display screen recording perform, any notification or different exercise proven on the show will present up within the video.
On the fitting controller, there’s a hamburger button that’s used as an choices or menu button throughout most apps. Lastly, there’s the orange Spine button, which nearly at all times launches the Spine app.
If you’re utilizing the Ps Distant Play app, it could act because the PS button when held down.
Having a shortcut to the Spine app constructed into the controller is a daring transfer. It means the Spine app must earn that premium location, particularly one that may generally be unintentionally pressed as a result of its proximity to the joystick.
Spine app and software program
The Spine app stays central to the controller expertise, although different iPhone controller makers have taken the same strategy. I am not an enormous fan of turning a utility like a recreation launcher right into a social media shopper, however it’s clearly common amongst some customers.
Spine One evaluate: handle button choices and recorded movies within the app
You are in a position to ignore the social features completely and simply launch a recreation. Nevertheless, you are eliminating 80% of the app performance by doing that.
Spine takes a special strategy than an organization like PlayStation. The highest menu on the PS5 is all about launching video games, with submenus devoted to social and discovery.
The highest row for just lately performed video games looks like the one a part of the app I take advantage of. Each row after that’s auto-playing movies, adverts for different video games and platforms, and social choices.
Spine One evaluate: ‘Murderer’s Creed’ acknowledges the controller
Whereas it might not attraction to me, it might be helpful to some. Additionally, as I mentioned, you’ll be able to ignore all the things, together with the app itself, and simply play video games.
My points with the app I discussed within the first evaluate nonetheless persist however have lessened considerably. Apple’s introduction of Focus Modes permits me to design my very own House Display recreation launchers, and display screen recording can routinely allow Do Not Disturb with a Shortcut.
The Spine+ subscription allows higher-resolution display screen seize and video add with shareable hyperlinks by way of the app, plus the sport hub features talked about earlier than. Should you bought the unique Spine earlier than the service launched, you do not have to pay, however in any other case, it is an as much as $49 per 12 months service on high of the already expensive controller.
Peak transportable gaming
There’s quite a bit to like about Spine One. It is well-designed and ergonomic regardless of being smaller and thinner than opponents.
Spine One evaluate: an optimum but costly iPhone controller
Nevertheless, its excessive value and subscription service will doubtless push clients to lower-priced alternate options. Spine One is price the additional money for now, however the subsequent technology might want to flip up the perks to keep up the value level.
The controller is a flexible choice because of its potential to connect with different units over a cable. It’s sufficiently small to slot in a bag or pocket with out being too cumbersome.
Spine One evaluate — execs
- Compact and transportable
- Ergonomic and acquainted design
- Sized for average circumstances
- Devoted app with recreation launcher…
Spine One evaluate — cons
- … however the app ought to be extra targeted on launching video games than social
- Spine+ is a paid add-on for an already costly controller
- Little or no new in a aggressive area
Score: 4 out of 5
The unique Spine One obtained a 4.5, and this one obtained a 4. That is not to say the brand new mannequin is worse, however the competitors is healthier.
Spine wants to contemplate the way it can enhance the controller and justify the $100 value level going ahead. The Spine+ subscription feels extra like a drag on the model than it ought to be, as clients doubtless count on these options as included, not paid add-ons.
The place to purchase Spine One
