SCUF - NOMAD Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller for iPhone - Black

The SCUF Nomad Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller is an amazing addition to my fun gaming time let me briefly explain further: The controller arrived nicely packaged, it comes with 2 additional thumb stick grips, iPhone 14/15 adapter and finally with the USB C Cable to easily charge it. And out the box the controller has a sturdy build with a combination of matte and glossy finishes. The materials feel premium, and the buttons have an awesome click. And the textured grips provide excellent handling during any gaming time while providing a reliable connection. Speaking of connection, pairing the SCUF Nomad with my iPhone is straightforward. Simply enable Bluetooth on the iPhone, turn on the controller, and follow the on-screen instructions. Best of all it maintains a stable connection even during fast-paced gameplay. The designated record and share button is also cool; I can capture screenshots by tapping it twice and press and hold to record so I can share with others. As for the layout of the controller, it mimics traditional console controllers so it makes it very easy for gamers to adapt without learning a new layout. I also like the two rear paddles that are standout feature and these can be assigned as any button or function, in return it enhances gameplay. Also the SCUF app that it was easy to find on the App Store allows further customization such as adjusting stick sensitivity, trigger stops, and paddle assignments. With the app you also get firmware updates as it did once I paired for the first time. One of the important things to know is the battery life, it has a built-in rechargeable battery that lasts around 20 hours, which is impressive for a mobile controller. And best of all if the battery life is low or off, I can connect charge and continue playing using the included USB C cable that looks nice and feels strong. Something else to like, is that the SCUF is designed for iPhone but it does not stop there, I can also connect it to my iPad, Apple TV, or even my PC so it is versatile, not only for mobile gaming. Overall, the SCUF Nomad is nothing but a great companion to keep the fun going while on the move. Having a console like control over my iPhone games is much easier to keep going. The Controller is made of good quality, it is customizable and compatible with different devices not just my iPhone.

Unboxing Experience: The SCUF Nomad Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller arrived in packaging that was pretty standard for a mobile controller device. The light cardboard was adorned with bright graphics, making the unboxing experience visually appealing. Inside, the controller itself stood out as a well-built device. Build Quality: The buttons on the SCUF Nomad feel solid, offering a satisfying response to the buttons, while the joysticks, though lighter than those on standard gaming controllers, show no signs of compromising on quality. The initial concern was about the spring-loaded holder, which in many controllers tends to be either too tight or too loose. However, SCUF has nailed the tension on this one, striking a perfect balance. Loading the phone is a breeze, even with one hand, and once in place, it remains secure. Compatibility and Comfort: I tested the controller with my phone both with a leather case and without. Using it with the case felt preferable, not just for the added protection, but also because the camera bump on the iPhone 15 Pro Max fits better against the back of the controller. This eliminates the discomfort some other controllers might cause. Compared to console gaming controllers, the SCUF Nomad's hand placement is wider, and the button placement on the right side is notably different. The ABXY buttons are positioned directly below the right joystick, which takes some getting used to. App Integration: Downloading the accompanying app was a fantastic experience. SCUF provides a list of recommended games that are controller compatible, which is a real timesaver compared to sorting through the iOS App Store. I quickly identified a few games to try out, including Madden and Call of Duty Mobile (COD Mobile). Gameplay Performance: In Madden, the controller performed flawlessly with no noticeable lag. The gameplay was smooth and responsive. However, my experience with COD Mobile was mixed. During online gaming, I noticed significant lag specifically with the right joystick, suggesting a potential Bluetooth connectivity issue. Interestingly, when I removed the phone from the controller and propped it up in front of me, the gameplay became perfect instantly. This workaround defeats the purpose of the mobile controller, though it confirmed that the issue was indeed with the connection between the controller and the phone in that specific placement. I checked the app for firmware updates and tested the controller without the case, but the lag issue persisted in COD Mobile. Despite this, the controller remains playable, and for a COD Mobile expert like myself, it adds a bit of unintentional challenge (sarcasm intended). It's worth noting that the issue didn't occur in Madden, or at least it wasn't noticeable to me, so perhaps it's specific to certain games. Conclusion: Overall, the SCUF Nomad Wireless Mobile Gaming Controller offers a solid build, comfortable design, and an excellent app experience. While there are some issues with lag in specific games like COD Mobile, other games like Madden perform perfectly. I am hopeful for future updates to resolve these issues and will continue using the controller for its many positives.

The advantage of making a product specifically and only for iOS is that you can much better integrate with the devices. SCUF has proven this with this brilliant Nomad Game controller for iPhones. The layout and feel are excellent. The SCUF app interface is quite frankly perfect. And the whole thing makes your iPhone a beast of a mobile gaming device to rival any other such dedicated device. PROS: - Feels great in the hands - Fits any iPhone - SCUF App integrates perfectly with Apple Arcade - Ability to Screenshot or Screen Record with simple button presses - Super Easy to customize controls - Long Battery Life CONS: - Wish it gripped the phone a little bit better Sometimes you just don't know what you have isn't the best until you've had the best. That's how I feel about this controller. I had a previous game controller that I thought was great, but this one blows it away. Partially because that other one was for ANY phone and this SCUF Nomad controller was specially made to work with iPhone. Add this to your phone and you are as good as having any portable game system out there. At first I wasn't sure about using the SCUF App - I kinda thought I might just skip it and connect the controller and separately go into Apple Arcade or whatever game I wanted to play. However, after using it, now I can't imagine NOT using it! It's awesome! It integrates so well with Apple Arcade and makes accessing all your games or downloading new games super easy. And though I haven't used this feature, it also works with PS Remote Play. You can so easily go from the game itself into the Nomad Controller settings AND there's a dedicated button on this to snap a screenshot during the game or record the screen. Any of those are saved into a special gallery inside the SCUF app for easy access. It's also easy inside the app to change the controller settings if you want to. It's super easy to slide your iphone into the holder which just slides open and has springs that pull it back together to hold your phone. Even my iPhone 15 Pro Max with a case on it fit with no problem. There's an included bumper to help if you need to push your phone up a little because of the camera bump which I did use. My only complaint which is just being picky is that I do wish the Nomad had "stickier" grips for the back of the phone and the sides so that it held it even better. Especially with a case on, my phone slides out maybe a little too easy. It's not that big of a deal - but I feel like if I got distracted and say, held it with just one hand and it angled the wrong way it could slide out on its own since there's nothing at the top holding it in. Overall, I am SO in love with this iPhone game controller. SCUF really knocked it out of the park with this one. It has taken my game play and enjoyment on my iPhone 15 Pro Max to a whole new level. If you're looking for the best game controller out there for iPhone, this should definitely be at the top of your list to consider!