Streaming an Xbox game to your phone solves one problem: getting the game away from your TV. It creates another when you have to play with touchscreen controls. For Xbox’s 25th anniversary, GameSir and Backbone are offering two different fixes, both wrapped in designs inspired by Xbox history.
The GameSir X5 Lite for Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition and Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition are part of Microsoft’s Designed for Xbox 25th Anniversary Collection. Both give a phone physical controls, but they aim at different users. GameSir focuses on a lower-cost handheld setup, while Backbone wants one controller to work after the phone comes out.
GameSir keeps the idea simple
The X5 Lite comes in translucent green, a clear nod to Xbox’s color palette. It is officially licensed for Xbox and Apple MFi certified, with support for compatible iOS and Android devices. GameSir currently lists it at $44.99, with shipping expected in October 2026. It also says the controller includes one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new members only.
The more practical reason to pay attention is its size range. The telescoping body expands from 105 to 213 mm, which GameSir says can fit devices from everyday smartphones to an iPad mini. GameSir also lists silicone padding intended to protect the connected device, plus pass-through charging so you can supply power without removing the phone.
Price: $44.99
Where to Buy: Xbox.com
GameSir uses Hall Effect sticks and Hall Effect analog triggers on this anniversary model. The company says its magnetic-stick design is intended to resist drift and support long-term reliability. That still needs long-term real-world use to verify, but it is a meaningful spec at this price.
The USB-C connector can also move instead of staying rigid. GameSir says that makes connecting and removing a device easier while helping protect its USB-C port. We have not tested that claim, but the design could help people who frequently connect and remove a phone. You can also rearrange the ABXY button glyphs, while the GameSir app handles additional customization.
Backbone wants to work across more screens
The Backbone Pro Xbox 25th Anniversary Edition takes a broader approach and costs considerably more at $159.99. Preorders are open, with order fulfillment scheduled to begin October 20, 2026.
You can attach a compatible USB-C phone for wired play, but Bluetooth lets the Pro work wirelessly with other devices. Backbone lists PCs, tablets, laptops, and smart TVs among the supported options. That matters if your gaming regularly moves between screens because the controller does not have to stay wrapped around your phone to remain useful.
Price: $159.99
Where to Buy: Backbone
Its controls also reflect the higher price. Backbone specifies full-size ALPS thumbsticks, Hall Effect triggers, remappable rear buttons, and laser-etched grips. The company also claims up to 40 hours of wireless battery life, though that is a manufacturer rating rather than a figure we have independently measured.
Backbone says the Anniversary Edition includes one month of Xbox Game Pass Ultimate for new Game Pass Ultimate members. The offer is currently listed as expiring January 31, 2029, and the subscription continues automatically at the applicable paid rate unless canceled.
Buyers cannot choose the color in advance
Spending $159.99 does not guarantee you will get the Backbone Pro design you like best. There are three anniversary versions: Crystal Clear, Iconic Blue, and Bold Orange. They are sold as blind boxes, with each sealed controller having an equal one-in-three chance of containing any of the three colors. You cannot select your color before buying. Backbone says the edition is final sale, subject to applicable law.
That blind-box approach may appeal to collectors, but it also makes a $159.99 controller purchase less predictable.
Which one fits your setup?
The GameSir X5 Lite is the better fit if the problem you want to solve is mostly mobile. At $44.99, its broad telescoping range, pass-through charging, Hall Effect controls, and movable USB-C connector give it practical appeal beyond the anniversary styling.
The Backbone Pro makes more sense if your games routinely move between screens. Bluetooth connectivity, full-size sticks, rear buttons, and the claimed 40-hour battery give it uses beyond the phone, although you pay $159.99 for that flexibility and cannot choose the anniversary color.
Xbox nostalgia may be what catches your eye, but neither controller needs it to justify its purpose. GameSir offers a focused mobile controller at a much lower price, while Backbone bets you will pay more for one that follows your games from screen to screen.
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