8BitDo’s new FlipPad controller is exactly what it sounds like — a gamepad that folds flat and fits in your pocket. It connects directly to your phone via the charging port, turning any smartphone into a handheld gaming device with physical buttons.
At CES 2026, both 8BitDo and GameSir showed off ultra-portable phone gamepads. GameSir shipped its Pocket Taco months ago. The FlipPad took longer, but the wait was worth it. It’s thinner, lighter, and cheaper than the competition.
Instead of Bluetooth, the FlipPad uses a direct wired connection. That means no pairing, no latency, and no batteries to charge. It draws power from the phone itself. The trade-off is that it only works with phones that have a USB-C port in the right position, but for compatible devices, it’s the most seamless mobile gaming accessory on the market.
At its price point, the FlipPad is an easy recommendation for anyone who plays emulated games on their phone and hates touchscreen controls.
This article was originally reported by The Verge. Rewritten and published by The Coolest Info.
