Prime Day knocks Backbone One down to $69 — forget PlayStation Portal

backbone one playstation edition with a killer deal tag
(Image credit: Backbone)

The PlayStation Portal isn’t due to arrive until mid next month, but that doesn’t mean you have to wait to enjoy remote access to your PS5. In fact you could start playing PS5 games on your phone, streaming them from your console no matter where you are. And thanks to Amazon Prime Day you could get started without paying quite so much money.

The Backbone One mobile controller grip is now just $69 in the Amazon Prime Big Deal Days sale. That’s $30 off the normal price, and the lowest ever price for this particular grip. But not only is this a lot cheaper than a PlayStation Portal, it’s compatible with all your consoles — including PC and Xbox.

Backbone One mobile controller (USB-C): was $99 now $69 @ Amazon

Backbone One mobile controller (USB-C): was $99 now $69 @ Amazon
Turn your smartphone into a PlayStation Portal of sorts, and for a fraction of the price. Just slap your phone into the grip, load up a remote play session and you're good to go. The best part is that it also works with Xbox, PC, mobile games and other services. Just remember to grab the Lightning model if you have an iPhone 14 or older.

Price check: $69 @ Walmart | $99 @ Best Buy

The Backbone One is a controller grip that you put your phone into, and in the process turns it into something akin to a Nintendo Switch. You hold the grip out in front of you, and that’s how you play your games — nice and simple. This particular model just so happens to be designed to match the PS5, and includes all your traditional PlayStation button designs.

Remote Play on PS5 doesn’t have the best reputation among certain circles. Personally I’ve never had any problems with the gameplay, just the constant need to pair and repair my only DualSense controller between my phone and console. Meanwhile the Backbone One is more convenient, and unlike similar grips it’s actually recognised as a DualSense by your PS5.

The PlayStation design is only skin deep, though, and the Backbone One is still compatible with non-PlayStation games — something the PlayStation Portal won’t be able to do. That includes Xbox Remote Play and cloud gaming, NVIDIA GeForce Now, Apple Arcade, Steam Link and Amazon Luna. If we were to nitpick, we'd say that for true PlayStation aesthetics the joysticks should be centralized as opposed to the Xbox-style diagonal look.

But still, to top it all off you can use regular Bluetooth headphones with the Backbone One, another thing Sony confirmed the PlayStation Portal won't support. All you have to do is make sure you have the right grip for your phone. That's Lightning for iPhone 14s or older, and USB-C for everything else — iPhone 15 series included. 

TOPICS
Tom Pritchard
UK Phones Editor

Tom is the Tom's Guide's UK Phones Editor, tackling the latest smartphone news and vocally expressing his opinions about upcoming features or changes. It's long way from his days as editor of Gizmodo UK, when pretty much everything was on the table. He’s usually found trying to squeeze another giant Lego set onto the shelf, draining very large cups of coffee, or complaining about how terrible his Smart TV is.

Read more
PlayStation Portal being tested.
PlayStation Portal review
Razer Kishi V2
Ditch the Backbone One! Epic Razer Kishi deal drops mobile controller to its lowest ever price
The PlayStation Portal on a counter with the start screen for Horizon Forbidden West
PlayStation Portal just got upgraded cloud streaming features — here’s what’s new
Razer PC Remote Play running on a gaming laptop and streaming to a phone attached to the Razer Kishi Ultra mobile controller
I rarely stream PC games to my phone but Razer just convinced me with PC Remote Play
razer kishi v2 review
Best phone controllers 2025: take your mobile gaming to the next level
MCON mobile game controller with Samsung Galaxy Fold playing mobile game
The MCON gaming controller lets you turn your phone into a modern PSP Go — here's how
Latest in Computing
The Signal app logo displayed on an iPhone, with a screenshot of the Signal app in use displayed on a monitor in the background.
Signal — everything you need to know about the app at the center of the group chat scandal
Google Chrome
Chrome failed to install on Windows PCs, but Google has issued a fix — here's what happened
Samsung Odyssey OLED G9 monitor
This epic Samsung 49-inch ultrawide OLED monitor just got a massive $650 price cut for Amazon's Big Spring Sale
Surface Laptop 7 from the front
Amazon just gave Surface Laptop 7 a 'frequently returned' label — here's what's going on
23andME box
23andMe has declared bankruptcy — here's how to delete your data now
Russian flag with padlock smashing through glass
47 VPNs could be axed from Google Play Store following Russian demands
Latest in Deals
Amazon Sneaker Deals
Epic Amazon running shoe sale from Asics, Brooks, Adidas and more — 19 deals I’d shop now from $39
Acer Predator X27U gaming monitor with killer deal tag superimposed
Now's your chance to snag a 1440p OLED gaming monitor for half off at Amazon
Sony Bravia 7 TV shown in living room
Save $800 on Sony’s sensational Mini-LED TV during Amazon’s Big Spring Sale
Samsung QN90D with deals tag
Surprise! Amazon just knocked $500 off this 50-inch Samsung Mini-LED TV
Amazon shopping cart
Amazon Big Spring Sale deals under $25 — 21 sales I’m shopping on Fire TV Sticks, Stanley, Lego and more
the polk audio signa s4 soundbar and subwoofer combination with an amazon deal badge
The Dolby Atmos soundbar and subwoofer I recommend to all hi-fi newbies is just $299 on sale — I'd grab it now