This applies to the Switch too. It’s touch screen but has external controls (they detach and you can use the kickstand). iOS supports gaming controllers so you could use it in the same way as the Switch (albeit it doesn’t have a built in kickstand).

But if you're bringing your switch you're not just bringing the screen. If you are bringing your phone somewhere you are bringing just the phone. It's harder to sell and justify.

> It’s touch screen but has external controls

The touch screen is one of the least-used parts of the Switch. Which is a little disappointing, since it was so heavily and well used on the DS/3DS lines. But so many of the ways Nintendo intends you to use the system, the touchscreen isn't accessible. So games aren't built around it in the same way that it was for their previous handhelds.

It does however pair very nicely with popular console controllers

It works really well with a PS5 controller, and they make controllers that snap on the sides too.

Well yeah but that's a trivial problem to solve by just getting a case/attachment with gaming controls on it, like the Razer Kishi.

With this announcement it wouldn't surprise me if Apple is already working on a first-party case/attachment specifically for gaming.

And it wouldn't be their first attempt at such hardware:

https://lowendmac.com/2006/apples-pippin-and-bandais-world-m...

Didn't an infamous CEO say similar about the 'missing' physical keyboard and not being a good business device?

iPhone's keyboard is a joy to use. Virtual joysticks and gyro controls are frustrating and painful.

You can use modern gamepads with it, like the PS5 DualSense.

Then you've gotta figure out how to prop your phone up...

There are also plenty of clips for Xbox or PlayStation controllers that whilst being a little top heavy, are quite comfortable and work well.

Yeah, bluetooth controller of choice and a kickstand case on the biggest iPhone gets you very close to a Switch or Deck conceptually.

Once the A17 makes its way to the iPad mini, that'll be even closer.

If, and only if the developers include controller support. Which they largely don't, even when controllers are supported on every other platform.

Two egregious examples: The Final Fantasy Pixel Remastered series, and Monster Hunter Stories. The first has controller support on both the PC and consoles, but not on phones (which came out first). The second launched on a console (the 3DS), and has no controller support on the phone.

That caveat alone makes it so frustrating to play games on the phone IME.

It’s a shame because the UX of controller configuration on iOS/macOS/tvOS is the best I’ve seen outside of consoles. Even Windows, the king of gaming, doesn’t do as well with configuration of Microsoft’s own Xbox controllers (let alone those of competing companies). Instead on Windows Steam is required for any level of sanity with controllers.

Even if they do include, it's often weird. I wanted to try play genshin with controller - you have to complete certain parts of the game to unlock settings button. Why?

It seems like it would be trivial to build a "controller case" that goes around the phone. It could plug into the USB-C port, of course, and have joysticks on both sides, or whatever was required.

Serious or not, but for example Diablo Immortal is mobile only and it reportedly brings in $1M _daily_.

So some people are seriously playing it with no physical controls. =)

For "serious" mobile gamers there are devices like the Razer Kishi: https://www.razer.com/mobile-controllers/razer-kishi-v2

On this site people tend to forget that there actually are people under 30 whose only computing device is a phone. They use it for everything.