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I don’t understand the argument that a controller with a built in battery is superior to a controller that uses AA batteries.
- Thread starter TCG276
- Start date
It's a baffling majority position for sure and I can only guess it's because most people just don't give a shit if their electronics last or not. And this applies to smartphones, laptops, wireless earbuds and so on.
Is it really convenient when your DualShock 4, Apple Airpods or iPhone no longer holds sufficient charge, as all battery-operated electronics inevitably will, and you either have to pry the thing open with specialized tools (not hard with a DS4 thankfully, but not so trivial with my Galaxy Note 5) or resign to getting rid of the device and getting a new one? Meanwhile, with my Xbox One Controller that I use for my PC, I simply purchase an Eneloops 1900 mAh 4-pack and charger for less than 40 Canadian dollars and each pair of batteries last for so long I don't even bother tracking it and when the time comes to replace the batteries, I simply reach into my charger with two freshly charged batteries. The whole process of replacing batteries takes literally less than a minute, for something I do less than once a month, if that. To me, not only is that far more convenient, it completely erases any anxiety I have about battery degradation.
Is it really convenient when your DualShock 4, Apple Airpods or iPhone no longer holds sufficient charge, as all battery-operated electronics inevitably will, and you either have to pry the thing open with specialized tools (not hard with a DS4 thankfully, but not so trivial with my Galaxy Note 5) or resign to getting rid of the device and getting a new one? Meanwhile, with my Xbox One Controller that I use for my PC, I simply purchase an Eneloops 1900 mAh 4-pack and charger for less than 40 Canadian dollars and each pair of batteries last for so long I don't even bother tracking it and when the time comes to replace the batteries, I simply reach into my charger with two freshly charged batteries. The whole process of replacing batteries takes literally less than a minute, for something I do less than once a month, if that. To me, not only is that far more convenient, it completely erases any anxiety I have about battery degradation.
Most people won't use rechargable batteries. Let's not pretend otherwise.
I bought a set of 4 rechargeable batteries and I have been doing just fine with the xbox 360 controller for the last 7 years. I think both options are great. Having rechargeable batteries is not the inconvenience most folks make it to be.
In theory, yes. In practice, this has never happened with either of my launch ps4 controllers, and I play wireless 100% of the time, they're only on the wire when the console is off/in sleep mode.
I definitely prefer ps4 built in battery to the (minor, but still extant) hassle of having to buy/replace/charge AA batteries.
For people saying it's more convenient, it's definitely convenient needing to drive to the store to buy a whole new DS4 every time I go to play my PS4, because I only use the system once or twice a year and my DS4s consistently fail to hold a charge whenever I inevitably try to boot the damn thing.
Eneloops are great, but I think there is an even better solution: Controllers that come with replaceable, rechargeable batteries. This is a revolutionary idea, I kno- wait, what do you mean this is a technology that has existed for nearly two decades now that we have moved away from for literally no reason?
Eneloops are great, but I think there is an even better solution: Controllers that come with replaceable, rechargeable batteries. This is a revolutionary idea, I kno- wait, what do you mean this is a technology that has existed for nearly two decades now that we have moved away from for literally no reason?
I just plug my controller in when it's out of batteries. When next gen finally gives us non-dogshit USB ports on the controller there will be even less reason to care about built-in vs AA.
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How often do you believe that modern AA rechargeable batteries need to be replaced? I've had sets that have lasted me 2 years easily.
This. I just pop em in and boom I have a fully charged controller that lasts for dozens of hours. And I know I will always be able to easily get AAs in the future.
Playstation Moves are notorious for their batteries no longer holding a charge.
Yeah, but most people will just buy new ones and discard the old.
It has its pros and cons. I can have many rechargeable batteries charged and ready to go, never having to worry about not having enough left. But at the same time, taking them out, putting them into a separate charger, plugging it in, then do all of this in reverse is a bit of a hassle. Also, you need to buy the batteries and the charger...
On PS4 I have two gamepads. And while one is charging, I'm using the other one. It's a very quick and easy swap, but... it does require two controllers. Using one was a pain, because the battery life was bad and I had to use a cord far too many times.
On PS4 I have two gamepads. And while one is charging, I'm using the other one. It's a very quick and easy swap, but... it does require two controllers. Using one was a pain, because the battery life was bad and I had to use a cord far too many times.
I've never had to replace a controller due to the battery.
I'd hate having to buy AA batteries for them.
I'd hate having to buy AA batteries for them.
Honestly, it doesn't bother me either since I'm always having to charge the PS4 controller way more often as opposed to the rarer occurrence of swapping out batteries on the Xbox controller. Back in the day, I had to swap out six AA batteries out of the Game Gear every 20 minutes if I wasn't plugged into the wall with an AC adapter. Now that was bad!
Beleive what you want I'm just stating what I have on my hands.
I have some 10+ year old AAs that are still holding a decent charge (~1600mah). Though I think that's to be expected, as those with a slightly lower capacity tend to survive quite a few more charging cycles.
Xbox "rechargeable battery packs" are literally just AA rechargeables in a plastic case:
I've been on PlayStation for the last two gens now and have never had a controller loose charge enough that I needed to buy a new one.....and I game a lot.
Putting batteries in a controller isn't a huge deal but it does feel archaic as fuck to me in 2020.
Putting batteries in a controller isn't a huge deal but it does feel archaic as fuck to me in 2020.
Well I for one hate that I can't replace my battery in my phone any more. I had a Samsung Focus, and carried 2 or 3 fully charged batteries with me. Just swap em when one got low easy peasy. Nowadays everyones got these external battery packs which are nice because they're universal but now you got cables and such to deal alonside the pack. Wish phones had gone the way of universal standard replaceable battery sizes.
Again: the average Joe won't buy this. They'll be buying AA batteries over and over again. Don't act like this is not true.Xbox "rechargeable battery packs" are literally just AA rechargeables in a plastic case:
Convenience plus weight & bulk.
I've never had to replace a battery in a device that has one built in and even then a couple of screws then unplugging a battery and plugging the replacement in its hardly rocket science batteries are pretty standardised these days.
I've never had to replace a battery in a device that has one built in and even then a couple of screws then unplugging a battery and plugging the replacement in its hardly rocket science batteries are pretty standardised these days.
Yep, you can use AA batteries as well as their proprietary, replaceable, battery which comes with the controller. It's fantastic in that way.
The average joe doesn't buy the xbox rechargable packs? LOL wut
they were even bundled with Xbox consoles for a long while
It hasn't happened to me either but I guess I am lying since you are the holder of truth around here.
If the AA form factor didn't suck so much it wouldn't be a problem. They are too large for how little power they provide. Changing internal batteries in controllers is trivial and no where near the difficulty of a modern smartphone. So you end up only really needing to change them every few years.
Mmm, what would the equivalent of PS Move controller be on Xbox? And does it have replaceable batteries? If not, don't move goalposts, thanks.
I'll cross that bridge if I get to it. I've never had a controller die like me on that before but if it happens I guess I'll buy a new one, I don't care that much. The convenience still outweighs any "anxiety about battery degradation" for me.
When you are done playing you can plug in the controller to recharge and be at 100% the next tome you pick it up. Can't do that with AA unless it's rechargeable but then you gotta take them out yadda yadda
Buying some solid rechargeable AA batteries and not the Akaline ones are no worse for the environment than the battery packs slapped inside of Sony controllers. Both are lithium-ion. The only difference between the two is that for Sony and Nintendo, you need a screwdriver to replace the battery when it finally goes out.
And if you buy an aftermarket battery, you have to remember the swap the wires around before slotting it back in, lest you fry your controller. And you have to make sure that the controller shell has enough space for the battery you're putting in. And the worry about buying the ones in the plastic enclosures since those tend to be knockoffs of lesser quality, so you can't go buy "replacement Playstation/Switch controller battery" and be good.
But all of that is digression. In the grand scheme, the Play/Charge packs that Microsoft puts out are just lithium-ion AA batteries in a plastic shell. AA lithium-ion batteries are no worse for the planet than other brands.
Stop buying shitty cheap AA or AAA batteries from the grocery store and start buying rechargeables.
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I guess a good question that I would like answered is how many of you have replaced the battery in your PS4 controller, or bought a new controller, because it no longer holds a charge? If the majority of you haven't, then I'm surprised, and I will be more optimistic about the built in battery in the DS5 lasting much longer than I imagined it will.
Yep you can use AA batteries.
I don't use batteries but I like have the option when the interna battery dies.
The equivalent would be things like the Oculus Touch controllers which use AA batteries.
This isn't "Xbox vs playstation" this is "rechargable batteries vs standardized batteries" hth
I think both options are fine, the issue I've always had with Playstation pads is how when they do degrade, which they all do, because that battery is so pathetically small in the first place, losing 20+% of capacity really hammers it's usefulness.
Perfect solution. It's a great controller too.Yep you can use AA batteries.
I don't use batteries but I like have the option when the interna battery dies.
I don't want to have to get new batteries and replace them. A controller that has a built in battery is way less maintenance. Although it works best if you have two controllers. One charging while you use the other.
Most people also won't replace their DS batteries when they die and will need to buy a new controller after trashing their dead ones. You think that's better?