8bitDo Reveals Flip-Style iPhone Controller for Portrait Mode Gaming - MacRumors
Skip to Content

8bitDo Reveals Flip-Style iPhone Controller for Portrait Mode Gaming

by

In time for CES 2026, gaming company 8BitDo is teasing a new controller designed for smartphone users who want to play games exclusively in portrait mode.

8bitdo flip controller iphone
The FlipPad connects to iOS and Android devices via the USB-C port, and snaps onto the bottom half of the screen via a hinge mechanism, reminiscent of a classic flip phone keyboard.

The controller features a black D-Pad, red ABXY buttons, Start and Select buttons, and six white buttons along the top and on the bottom corners that are likely to be custom-assignable.


8bitDo says the FlipPad is "officially supported by Apple" and will arrive in the summer, though the company has not yet revealed pricing information.

Last month, 8bitDo teased the unveiling of a new "Pro" controller at CES 2026, so we might also get more details about the FlipPad in the coming week as the tech event in Las Vegas gets underway.

Tag: CES 2026

Popular Stories

iphone 16e usb c feature

Apple Begins Selling a $419 iPhone

Monday July 6, 2026 6:29 am PDT by
Apple recently added the iPhone 16e to its refurbished store, with U.S. pricing starting as low as $419 for a model with 128GB of storage. Originally released in February 2025, the iPhone 16e is a lower-end device with a 6.1-inch OLED display, an A18 chip with 8GB of RAM for Apple Intelligence support, a single 48-megapixel rear camera, a 12-megapixel front camera, a USB-C port, an Action...
Read Full Article
iphone 17 ceramic shield

iPhone 18 With 9GB RAM Still Won't Support Two New iOS 27 Features

Friday July 3, 2026 12:10 pm PDT by
The lower-end iPhone 18 and iPhone 18e will be equipped with 9GB of RAM, up from 8GB in the iPhone 17 and iPhone 17e, according to supply chain analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. In a social media post, Kuo said the 1GB increase in RAM will ensure that Apple Intelligence features continue to run smoothly on the pair of devices. The higher-end iPhone 18 Pro, iPhone 18 Pro Max, and foldable "iPhone Ultra...
Read Full Article • 204 comments
iPhone X 2022 Upload

'iPhone Ultra' Likely to 'Repeat the iPhone X Story' With Delayed Launch

Sunday July 5, 2026 10:28 am PDT by
Apple will likely "repeat the iPhone X story" by unveiling its foldable iPhone at the same time as the iPhone 18 Pro and iPhone 18 Pro Max, but starting foldable iPhone pre-orders at a later date, according to analyst Ming-Chi Kuo. Kuo today said manufacturing challenges have limited early production of the foldable iPhone, which will reportedly be named iPhone Ultra. As a result, he...
Read Full Article • 157 comments

Top Rated Comments

klasma Avatar
klasma
26 weeks ago

What's the point of the flip? What are you supposed to do with it when it's "unflipped" ??
It allows normal iPhone use without having to unmount the accessory.
Score: 10 Votes (Like | Disagree)
M
macjaffa
26 weeks ago

What's the point of the flip? What are you supposed to do with it when it's "unflipped" ??
Access the part of the screen it covers? Isn’t that so obviously self evident that it is immediately apparent?
Score: 7 Votes (Like | Disagree)
S
SnowPenguin
26 weeks ago
I like this. It is like you add buttons to your phone. I imagine this would be useful not just for gaming, but in some apps. I may get one for myself, and will review it in my blog.
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
SmugMaverick Avatar
SmugMaverick
26 weeks ago
I use delta and a few games like Sonic and Turtles so if this is priced right I'd get it.

If they ask for $50+ then they're out of their minds, 25-30 IMO
Score: 3 Votes (Like | Disagree)
turbineseaplane Avatar
turbineseaplane
26 weeks ago
I've learned that I don't like having controls attached to the screen, as it ends up shaking/moving the screen during gameplay.

I like to use Delta on an iPad with the fullsize OEM Nintendo Bluetooth SNES & N64 (or other) controllers.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
What_Is_George Avatar
What_Is_George
26 weeks ago

It'd make more sense if it folded all the way around to the back for normal phone use. It just sits there - open, so then you have to close it back up with the buttons on the screen for the entire time you have the phone in your pocket?

I don't know about that chief - something that just slides on and off would seem to make more sense.
Probably so you can switch games or answer a text real quick while playing a game.
Score: 2 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Read All Comments