What is the SCUF Nomad?
With mobile gaming on the rise, the demand for high-quality, console-like controls on handheld devices is stronger than ever.
As someone who spends a lot of time gaming on my phone, I was intrigued when I came across the SCUF Nomad—a controller designed specifically for iPhones. Curious if it could elevate my gaming experience, I decided to give it a shot.
SCUF is well-known for its high-performance controllers in the console world, so their move into mobile seemed promising. They’ve designed the Nomad to bring a new level of precision and immersion to mobile gaming.
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If you’re new to these kinds of devices, the SCUF Nomad is essentially a gaming controller that securely holds your phone. It doesn’t have a screen or play games on its own—your phone is the actual gaming device, and the Nomad enhances the experience by providing console-like controls.
But does the SCUF Nomad actually deliver? Let’s dive in.
Key Features and Design
The SCUF Nomad is clearly crafted with gamers in mind. It features anti-drift Hall effect thumbsticks, designed to deliver precise control while avoiding the wear and tear that typically affects traditional analog sticks.
One standout feature is SCUF’s signature customizable rear paddles, which allow users to map buttons for faster, more intuitive responses—a significant advantage in high-stakes, fast-paced games. The ergonomic design is also a big plus, providing a comfortable grip that feels natural and minimizes hand fatigue, even during extended gaming sessions.
The SCUF Nomad companion app is great for not only adjusting controller settings, but also launching games.
You can launch games on your phone directly from the companion app, and then switch between the game and the app with the SCUF button on the controller.
Compatibility and Connectivity
A key selling point of the SCUF Nomad is its seamless compatibility with iPhones (there is currently no Android support). It connects through Bluetooth 5.0 on iPhones with iOS 16 or higher, offering a reliable, low-latency connection.
Thanks to iOS’s strong support for gaming controllers, most games don’t require extra setup to work smoothly with the SCUF Nomad, making it a plug-and-play experience for many titles.
I found a list made by Backbone (a company that makes a similar product) that lists games compatible with controllers, you can find that list here.
If you already own an Xbox or PlayStation controller, you can pair it with your iPhone via Bluetooth to test compatibility with a specific game. If the game works well with those controllers, it’ll work smoothly with the SCUF Nomad, too.
The controller is also designed with practicality in mind—it fits well with many phone cases, so users won’t need to remove their case just to get a secure connection.
Performance and Gameplay Experience
The SCUF Nomad has mostly delivered a solid Bluetooth experience on my iPhone 13 Pro Max, but it hasn’t been entirely flawless.
Occasionally, there’s a slight delay or lag in Bluetooth connectivity, leading to missed or delayed inputs.
While this might be a minor compatibility issue with my model, it’s possible the latest iPhones wouldn’t have the same problem. I’ve tried several troubleshooting steps, like resetting the controller and toggling Bluetooth, but the occasional lag persists.
That aside, the overall gameplay experience is impressive when using games with native controller support.
Unfortunately, iOS restricts on-screen key mapping for third-party controllers, so if you want to play games with on-screen controls and no built-in controller support, you’re out of luck here—not a fault of SCUF, but rather an iOS limitation.
I have been playing a lot of Madden, Diablo Immortal, and Asphalt 8, all of which work with the controller right away.
Using the Delta emulator, I have also spent a lot of hours playing old games I grew up playing on GameBoy and Nintendo 64.
The D-pad and joysticks are great. I prefer the joysticks on the SCUF Nomad over the Nintendo Switch.
In terms of comfort, the Nomad holds up well. While it doesn’t quite match the grip quality of a PS5 controller, it sits well in the hand and remains comfortable even in longer sessions—no hand cramps after over an hour of play, which is a big plus.
The Hall effect thumbsticks/joysticks stand out, delivering smooth, precise movements that enhance aiming and character control.
The customizable rear paddles can be mapped to in-game actions, adding flexibility, especially for shooters, RPGs, or sports games. The Nomad offers responsive, console-like control, making it a reliable companion for serious mobile gaming.
Battery Life and Charging
Battery life on the SCUF Nomad lives up to its 16-hour promise, which is impressive for a mobile controller. It charges quickly with the included USB-C cable, so downtime is minimal.
My iPhone battery drained a lot faster than the controller, but even with regular play, the Nomad lasted nearly a week before needing a recharge. This kind of longevity is a huge plus, especially for gamers who don’t want to worry about constant recharging.
Since the charging port on my iPhone is blocked when it’s set up with the controller, and there’s no space for a battery pack on the back, I sometimes had to lay my phone flat on the table and play with the controller in hand to recharge it.
One area SCUF could improve is by adding a Lightning or USB-C connector for passthrough charging. This would let users charge their phone while gaming, but unfortunately, it’s not a feature on this model.
Who Should Buy the SCUF Nomad?
If you’re an iPhone user who enjoys games with controller support, the SCUF Nomad is a fantastic option to elevate your experience.
Even if mobile gaming isn’t usually your thing, it opens up new possibilities with game streaming platforms. With GeForce Now or Xbox Cloud Gaming you can stream console and PC games directly to your iPhone, or you can stream from your own gaming PC using apps like Moonlight and Steam Link.
Personally, I’ve been enjoying World of Warcraft remotely from my PC using the ConsolePort addon, which enables controller support for WoW—making for an incredible gaming experience on the go.
Additionally, I’ve used the SCUF Nomad for remote PS5 play via the MirrorPlay app on iOS, and it’s performed flawlessly for this purpose as well.
However, if you’re an Android user, the SCUF Nomad isn’t compatible yet, so you’ll want to hold off on this purchase.
Final Thoughts: Is the SCUF Nomad Worth It?
For someone like me, who enjoys gaming on the go and has a gaming PC I can stream from anywhere, the SCUF Nomad seemed like the perfect fit. After testing several iOS-compatible controllers, I can say the Nomad is the best and most comfortable of them all. However, despite its quality, I decided not to keep it.
The issue isn’t with the Nomad itself—it’s an excellent controller. The real problem was that I needed a dedicated gaming device. Constantly draining my phone battery and dealing with notifications interrupted my experience more than I expected.
I ultimately went with the Logitech G Cloud, which, while less powerful than my iPhone, offers a larger 7″ 1080p screen, better grip, and runs Android, allowing for on-screen key mapping. It’s pricier—around three times the cost of the Nomad (as of Nov 17, 2024)—so whether it’s the better choice depends on your needs.
If you don’t mind using your phone exclusively for gaming or aren’t as concerned about battery drain, the SCUF Nomad could be the ideal device for gaming on the go or for casual play in bed.
Please leave a comment if you have questions.
