8BitDo Teases FlipPad Mobile Controller Ahead of CES 2026

8BitDo FlipPad mobile controller attached to a smartphone
8BitDo’s FlipPad is a foldable mobile controller teased ahead of CES 2026.
By Jon Scarr

8BitDo has teased a new mobile gaming controller called the FlipPad ahead of CES 2026, offering an early look at a foldable design aimed at smartphone play.

The brief teaser was shared through 8BitDo’s official X account and is light on specifics, but it confirms that the FlipPad is designed for iOS and Android devices. The company says the controller will be on display at CES 2026, with a broader release expected in summer 2026.

A Foldable Controller Built for Mobile Play

Based on what’s shown in the teaser, the FlipPad uses a folding design that allows it to attach directly to a smartphone. The controller appears to connect through the phone’s USB-C port, though 8BitDo has not yet shared full technical details.

The visible layout suggests a focus on classic, button-driven input. There are no analog thumbsticks shown, but the controller includes a D-pad and a total of 12 face buttons. That setup points toward compatibility with retro-style games, emulation, and mobile titles that don’t rely heavily on dual analog controls.

What Hasn’t Been Confirmed Yet

Because the teaser is short and largely visual, several aspects of the FlipPad remain unconfirmed. 8BitDo has not officially stated whether the controller supports Bluetooth, includes a rechargeable battery, or relies entirely on direct power from the connected smartphone.

The design shown in the video suggests a wired connection rather than a wireless one, but that detail has not been formally confirmed by the company. Until more information is shared, these elements should be treated as observations rather than specifications.

CES 2026 Hands-On Coming First

According to 8BitDo’s post, the FlipPad will be on tje show floor at CES 2026.

For now, the FlipPad remains a tease rather than a full announcement. More concrete details are expected either during CES 2026 or closer to its planned summer launch.

About the author
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Jon Scarr

4ScarrsGaming Owner / Operator & Editor-in-Chief

Jon covers video game news, reviews, industry shifts, cloud gaming, plus movies, TV, and toys, with an eye on how entertainment fits into everyday life.

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