Spine One 2nd gen assessment: options, specs, worth

Spine One assessment: case pleasant and ergonomic

I like Spine One for its minimal design and portability. The Lightning model stored a spot in my gaming gear till USB-C iPhones took over.

Once I reviewed the primary Spine One in 2020, it was a superb entry into an area that appeared prefer it had fallen off. At present, Spine has to take care of a lot stronger competitors from corporations 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 brilliant addition and is best executed than others.

I am pleased with the second-generation Spine One, however it could have performed too protected at this worth level. Here is how the options break down.

Of the favored choices, Spine One is actually the smallest and most moveable. Positive, some rivals 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 assessment: a compact gaming choice with a well-recognized structure

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 power.

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 out there, however Spine did one higher and launched an improved second technology in Lightning and USB-C earlier in 2024.

In contrast to some producers that chase radical designs and flashy lights, Spine stored it easy. The brand new mannequin is sort of similar, however edges look smoothed out and the grip is general extra comfy.

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, prospects 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 nicely.

One of many greatest issues with recreation controller grips just like the Spine One was how actual the design was. Controller makers designed the gadgets to precisely match an iPhone or comparable sized smartphone with little or no wiggle room.

Spine One assessment: small and medium instances match high-quality

It was an expectation that customers would wish to take away any form of case with the intention 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 major case thickness and included adapters to higher grip thinner instances or the cellphone itself. Spine One has achieved comparable issues however on a smaller scale.

The empty controller is at its widest setting. I do not personal any extremely thick instances like an Otterbox Defender, however I can say these would not match anyway.

Of all the instances I examined from Pitaka, Nomad, and Shiftcam, all of them might 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 assessment: extra stability due to magnetic inserts

There are two magnetic adapters included, small and enormous. The big adapter is the one you’d use if you happen to go caseless together with your iPhone. Not even my Nomad leather-based magnetic pores and skin might match on this exact adapter.

The small adapter is nice for all small to medium-sized instances. The thickness must be minimal, nearly including nothing to the iPhone.

Having no adapter permits for a lot of common dimension instances 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 instances will not work with the Spine One. One thing just like the Gamevice Flex can accommodate thicker instances, 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 must cope with them one time when figuring out which one you may want, after that, simply slip the cellphone in and play.

Function clever, the Spine One hasn’t modified a bit. It nonetheless has the identical face buttons, shoulder buttons, and app launcher.

Spine One assessment: USB-C out to a Mac or iPad

The rear spring mechanism feels extra sturdy, however which may be a placebo. At least, 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 capabilities. 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 photograph library.

The display screen recording perform is a bit odd and defaults the identical as I reported within the authentic assessment. 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 assessment: 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 photograph library. The spotlight function, the place the video will be uploaded and shared through a hyperlink, remains to be current.

Keep in mind, for the reason that 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 best 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 just about all the time launches the Spine app.

In case you are utilizing the Ps Distant Play app, it might probably 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 typically be by accident pressed resulting from its proximity to the joystick.

The Spine app stays central to the controller expertise, although different iPhone controller makers have taken an identical 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 standard amongst some customers.

Spine One assessment: handle button choices and recorded movies within the app

You are in a position to ignore the social facets completely and simply launch a recreation. Nevertheless, you are eliminating 80% of the app performance by doing that.

Spine takes a distinct 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 assessment: ‘Murderer’s Creed’ acknowledges the controller

Whereas it could not attraction to me, it could be helpful to some. Additionally, as I mentioned, you may ignore all the things, together with the app itself, and simply play video games.

My points with the app I discussed within the first assessment 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 robotically allow Do Not Disturb with a Shortcut.

The Spine+ subscription allows higher-resolution display screen seize and video add with shareable hyperlinks by the app, plus the sport hub capabilities talked about earlier than. For those who 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 yr service on high of the already dear controller.

There’s quite a bit to like about Spine One. It is well-designed and ergonomic regardless of being smaller and thinner than rivals.

Spine One assessment: an optimum but costly iPhone controller

Nevertheless, its excessive worth and subscription service will possible push prospects 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 worth level.

The controller is a flexible choice due to its capability to hook up with different gadgets over a cable. It’s sufficiently small to slot in a bag or pocket with out being too cumbersome.

• Compact and moveable
• Ergonomic and acquainted design
• Sized for average instances
• Devoted app with recreation launcher…

• … however the app must be extra centered 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

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 best.

Spine wants to contemplate the way it can enhance the controller and justify the $100 worth level going ahead. The Spine+ subscription feels extra like a drag on the model than it must be, as prospects possible anticipate these options as included, not paid add-ons.