CES 2026, taking place in Las Vegas from January 6-9, is the world’s largest annual consumer technology event, where global brands unveil their latest innovations, including the Ohsnap MCON Controller.
Follow all of our CES 2026 news here.
Ohsnap MCON Controller
Handheld consoles like the latest Nintendo Switch 2 might get the headlines, but smartphone gaming is not dead.
The phone is still the one-screen device nearly everyone already carries, and the friction point is usually control. Ohsnap’s answer, shown at CES 2026, is the Ohsnap MCON Controller: a magnetic, snap-on controller that sits on the back of your phone and deploys when you want proper buttons and sticks.
MCON is designed to magnetically attach to the back of a smartphone and “instantly transform it into a portable gaming system”.
- Less than an inch thick.
- Magnetically attaches to the back of any smartphone.
- Press a button to deploy the controller.
- Fold-out grips and full-size mag-res joysticks, with the brand claiming they are less prone to stick drift than Switch.
- Kickback mode for tabletop play, plus silent buttons.
Ohsnap says it is less than an inch thick, aiming to keep it pocketable rather than something you only pack when you plan to play. Switching between phone mode and game mode is handled by a sliding mechanism that opens and closes the controller.
On the hardware side, the Ohsnap MCON Controller will add noticeable but not significant bulk to your device, measuring 144x69x24mm and weighing 197g. It uses full-sized joysticks with GameSir Mag-Res TMR, plus Hall-effect triggers and a built-in 6-axis gyroscope for motion input.
Ohsnap claims the mag-res sticks are designed to help reduce stick drift, and they can be moved to a closed position to protect the sticks and buttons from snags and damage when you are not playing.
Power comes from a 500mAh lithium-ion battery, with quoted battery life of up to 15 hours of continuous use and up to 3.5 years of standby.
For connectivity, MCON supports Bluetooth 5.4 with a stated maximum range of 10m, and there is also a compatible USB-C wired mode.
However, the MCON controller has more than one trick up its sleeve! There’s a tabletop option via kickback mode, where you remove the controller and prop up the phone for play without holding everything in mid-air.
For travellers, that matters because it makes mobile gaming feel less like hunching over a glass slab and more like playing a familiar controller layout on the device you already have. It’s also one less separate gadget to remember, which is the real gaming meta once you’ve been through airport security.
Ohsnap also points to accessories for big-screen play. There is an optional MCON Dock for iPhone casting to a TV, a travel sleeve and even a core kit to transform your phone into a full-on console for your hotel room!
Ohsnap MCON started on Kickstarter in 2025 and raised over $1.5 million with more than 16,000 backers.
The Ohsnap MCON controller is $149 direct from ohsnap.com.
Frequently Asked Questions — CES 2026
CES 2026 is projected for 6–9 January 2026, with media days on 4–5 January for major press briefings.
The show will run across the Las Vegas Convention Center, the Venetian Expo, and selected venues on the Strip.
CES 2026 is a trade-only event requiring verified industry credentials, such as employer proof or recognised media status.
Registration is expected to open in mid-2025 following the CTA’s established annual cycle.
Yes. AI is a core theme for CES 2026, with expanded exhibition zones covering generative AI, robotics, and real-world applications.
Keynotes are expected to address AI governance, sustainability, mobility innovation, and global technology standards.
No. CES 2026 is not open to the general public and requires approved trade registration.
Yes. Eureka Park will again showcase global start-ups in AI, mobility, robotics, health tech, and climate innovation.
Arriving on 4 January is recommended for media events. Hotels near monorail stations provide the quickest venue access.
Attendance is anticipated to match recent years, likely between 115,000 and 130,000 participants.
Yes. EVs, charging solutions, and software-defined vehicle platforms will again dominate West Hall.
Expect long walking distances, multiple venues, and busy sessions. Planning routes and carrying a power bank are essential.
