If you’re interested in portable PlayStation gaming, then there’s a strong chance that you are weighing up which to choose between the PlayStation Portal remote player and the Backbone One mobile controller.
Releasing on November 15, 2023, the PlayStation Portal is a PlayStation 5 accessory that allows you to stream your existing library of games from your home console right into your hands. With an 8-inch LCD screen flanked by two halves of a DualSense controller, it has everything that you need to stream your games right out of the box - provided, of course, that you already own a PS5 and have a sufficiently strong and stable internet connection. The Backbone One, on the other hand, is a smaller controller of a different design entirely that slots directly into your mobile phone and, therefore, needs a compatible phone to use.
While the two devices might initially seem quite different, they’re both potential solutions if you want to enjoy console gaming either out and about or in places other than your living room at home. Although the PlayStation Portal depends entirely on game streaming, the Backbone One is compatible with the official PS Remote Play app, allowing you to stream games from your PlayStation console, and can also play mobile games natively.
They’re both tempting options, but which should you choose? Your mileage with either is likely to depend on a few key factors, such as whether the Backbone is compatible with your specific phone, which controller layout you prefer, or what your specific use case is. We’ve created this handy guide to help you pick the best product for your individual circumstances, with a breakdown of their key features and plenty of expert buying advice.
PlayStation Portal vs Backbone One - Price
The Backbone One is available now and costs $99.99 / £99.99 / AU$179.99. It can be purchased directly from the Backbone website or other US retailers like Amazon and Best Buy. It can be found in the UK on the Backbone website or at Amazon and Argos.
Two color options are available: the original black model or the more recent white PlayStation Edition. Both versions are the same price, so your pick largely depends on aesthetic preference. The Backbone One also frequently receives discounts in major seasonal sale periods like Black Friday or Amazon Prime Day, so consider waiting for an offer if you want the very best deal.
The PlayStation Portal, on the other hand, is yet to launch and will be released on November 15, 2023. It costs $199.99 / £199.99 to pre-order via the PlayStation website. Some third-party retailers are also accepting pre-orders, such as Best Buy in the US or Game in the UK. Despite the imminent release, you still have time to nail down a PlayStation Portal pre-order.
Although immediate availability and a lower price tag might seem like a clear victory for the Backbone One, it is worth bearing in mind that it requires a compatible phone to use. Although there are both USB-C and Lightning versions to ensure compatibility with a fair few phones, there’s still a chance that it might not fit your specific model. Considering the cost of many of the best mobile phones, picking up a BackBone One alongside a new phone in order to use it is likely to be far more expensive than just buying the all-in-one PlayStation Portal instead.
PlayStation Portal vs Backbone One - Design
When you compare the design of the PlayStation Portal and the Backbone One, there are several key differences. For starters, the Backbone One is smaller, coming in at just 3.70 inches (9.39 cm) tall and 6.94 inches (17.62 cm) wide making it extremely easy to fit into your bag or even a pocket. However, this width will increase with a phone inserted, as the Backbone One uses an intuitive extending design to keep the size down while not in use. Although the size of your phone will determine the specific width, it has a maximum extended width of 10.14 inches (25.76 cm).
Although we don’t know the specific dimensions of the PlayStation Portal quite yet, product images, in addition to the size of the standard DualSense controller, suggest that it is going to be considerably larger. Although this means that you will probably need to carry it around in a heavy bag, this increased size has some major advantages. For starters, it uses the same ergonomic grips that you would find on the DualSense, in contrast to the more basic design of the Backbone One, which might make it more comfortable for most.
It also allows for a spacious 1080p 8-inch LCD screen. Of course, as the Backbone One has no display of its own the screen's size and resolution will depend on your phone. Considering, however, that the massive iPhone 15 Pro Max has a comparatively small 6.69-inch screen, it is safe to assume that the PlayStation Portal should be your pick if you are solely concerned about screen size. While most high-end phones will boast a higher resolution than the PlayStation Portal, the limitations of streaming make it likely that you’re going to be playing games at 1080p anyway.
Both devices have a 3.5mm headphone jack, allowing you to listen to your games through a wired gaming headset. Although you can use wireless Bluetooth headphones with the Backbone One, thanks to the Bluetooth capabilities of your phone, the PlayStation Portal is not launching with such support and will only be compatible wirelessly with Sony’s own Pulse Explore earbuds and Pulse Elite Headset.
PlayStation Portal vs Backbone One - Buttons and thumbsticks
The Backbone One uses small, tactile buttons that feel pleasantly clicky to the touch which might make it better for certain genres like fighting games or platformers. On the other hand, the compact thumbsticks on the Backbone One might put it at a disadvantage when it comes to first-person shooters, which require more precise motion.
The PlayStation Portal uses the same full-size buttons and joysticks that you would find on a DualSense controller. This should make it feel immediately familiar to regular PS5 players and makes it a good all-round option for lots of different genres.
There is also the matter of the button layout and thumbstick placement as, while the PlayStation Portal uses the same symmetrical design as the DualSense, the Backbone One uses the asymmetrical layout that is more commonly found on Xbox controllers. Which you prefer largely boils down to personal preference but this distinction might put the PlayStation Portal in the lead from an accessibility standpoint.
PlayStation Portal vs Backbone One - Features
The PlayStation Portal has many of the same features that you would find in a standard DualSense controller, including the adaptive triggers and haptic feedback. The Backbone One, in contrast, has no adaptive triggers or even any basic vibration when using the PS Remote Play app. It goes without saying, but you should choose the PlayStation Portal if those features matter to you.
One factor that potentially puts the Backbone One back ahead, however, is the fact that it is also compatible with native mobile games. This means that you can use it to play the likes of Genshin Impact or Call of Duty: Mobile in addition to your streamed PlayStation library. Furthermore, it can be used with Xbox Game Pass game streaming, potentially opening up a whole additional library of games to play. It is, therefore, a much more versatile choice and comfortably the better option if you regularly play mobile games or Xbox Game Pass titles.
The reliance on a mobile phone does come with the downside that you cannot use your phone while gaming, though, which isn’t the case with the PlayStation Portal. However, if you’re not interested in mobile gaming or Xbox Game Pass, the PlayStation Portal wins out.
PlayStation Portal vs Backbone One - Which should you buy?
Given that there are strong pros and cons when it comes to either device, your decision of which to pick up should be determined by your specific needs or wants. Here’s a breakdown of some of the reasons why you might consider each option:
Buy the Backbone if…
Buy the PlayStation Portal if…
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