[smartPC사랑=남지율 기자] In the past, Apple’s iOS was rather closed to gamepad support. At one time, only products that obtained Apple’s MFi (Made For iPhone) certification worked on the iPhone, so there was a burden of purchasing a separate gamepad for the iPhone.
However, iOS started to officially support console gamepads that did not obtain MFi certification through an update. Xbox gamepads, PlayStation DualShock 4, and DualSense can be used like MFi gamepads, and in the latest OS, iOS 16, Nintendo Switch gamepads (Joy-Con, Pro Controller) are also compatible.
To respond to the latest iOS, Joytron introduced the ‘Joyphone Grip’, a smartphone grip that can attach Joy-Con to an iPhone.
Use your iPhone like a Nintendo Switch
There are no electronic parts such as batteries or chipsets mounted on the Joyphone grip. The Joyphone grip is a peripheral device in which the iPhone is fixed in the center of the grip by extending both holders and the Joy-Con is mounted.
Since it is compatible with up to 179mm in length, the iPhone Max series can be installed without any problems. Some smartphone gamepads have the inconvenience of having to remove the smartphone case when installing the gamepad, but it was confirmed that the Joy Phone grip is compatible with thick smartphone cases.
Then, how does pairing between iPhone and Joy-Con work? If you press the pairing button located on the Joy-Con connector for regarding 3 seconds, the LED will start to blink. After that, if you proceed with pairing like connecting other Bluetooth gamepads on the iPhone, the connection is complete.
There is no big difference from other gamepads except that you have to connect Joy-Con(L) and Joy-Con(R) separately.
Since Joy-Con is a gamepad released by Nintendo, the arrangement of buttons is different from that of Xbox/Playstation. However, iOS’s own function allows you to assign new buttons, so it is possible to enjoy games with the Xbox layout.
I tried attaching the Joycon to the Joyphone grip. Like the Nintendo Switch, it is attached to the side rail.
When I played the game following the conclusion, it felt like I was enjoying a Nintendo Switch rather than an iPhone. Since the price of the Joy Phone grip itself (14,800 won) is not burdensome, if you already own a Joy-Con, you can use it as a gamepad for iPhone, so it seems more economical.
A kickstand, one of the key features of the Nintendo Switch, has also been implemented. If you remove the Joy-Con following mounting it as a kickstand, you can use it as if you were enjoying a game in ‘table mode’.
However, there are limitations that occur due to the nature of the Joy-Con. Since the Joy-Con itself is thin and has no grip design, it was somewhat inconvenient to play for a long time.
Excellent compatibility with MX Gripcon
With Joytron’s Joy-Con compatible gamepad, ‘MX Grip-Con Wireless’, you can overcome the limitations of Joy-Con.
How to connect with iPhone is basically the same as Joy-Con. Press and hold the pairing button to pair with your iPhone.
However, a firmware update may be required depending on the release date of the product. If Joy-Con(L) and Joy-Con(R) are not identified in the Bluetooth section of the iPhone, you must download the latest firmware from the Joytron homepage and update it through your PC. The update is applied to MX Gripcon (L) and MX Gripcon (R) individually, and when I tried it myself, I was able to update both MX Gripcons within regarding 5 minutes.
After attaching the MX GripCon to the Joyphone grip and conducting a game test, it was more comfortable. Unlike Joy-Con, integrated cross keys were applied, and convenience was greatly improved, such as the controller grip and the application of turbo mode.
One thing to note is that the MX Grip-Con is designed to be much thicker than the Joy-Con. Therefore, unlike when the Joy-Con and Joy-Phone grips are combined, there is less step between the game pad and the holder, providing a greater sense of unity.
In addition, as much as it has a back button, it is more suitable for AAA game play.
concluding
The Joyphone Grip is the best value for money option for gamers who already own a JoyCon and need a gamepad for the iPhone. In addition, as it is compatible with some Joy-Con compatible products, gamers who want to use the iPhone in the style of Nintendo Switch will be able to get high satisfaction.
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