If your controller's internal battery stops holding a charge, you need to buy a new controller. If your rechargeable AAs stop holding a charge, you need to buy a couple more AAs.
But this is a future-proofing, long term thing.
-
Ever wanted an RSS feed of all your favorite gaming news sites? Go check out our new Gaming Headlines feed! Read more about it here.
-
We have made minor adjustments to how the search bar works on ResetEra. You can read about the changes here.
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
But this is a future-proofing, long term thing.
I mean, the elephant in the room that goes unmentioned is that the charger kit, or the sorts of rechargables that people tend to recommend for gaming, tend to last a lot, lot longer on a full charge than the DS4 in particular does
Wouldn't mind it if the DS5 lasts like five times longer though. DS4's battery life has more in common with a modern Nintendo handheld than it should
If your AA batteries are running low you can plug in the controller and just use it wired, just the same. You don't have to put any batteries in it. In future, just plug it into your console, same as you would to charge a DualShock. They both work the same way.
I see ppl saying convenience for built in batteries.
I have 10 rechargeable AA. Just yesterday every PS4 controller in the house was dead. I have 9, (other family members have their own PS4)
I always have at least 2 AA charged up. I could also make sure the same thing happens to the PS4 controllers, but I can only control my own, and I usually do.
For the AA, I always have some hidden. So I'm always ready to play.
There is a convenience factor to rechargeable AA batteries. And the XBO controller can be used wired with no batteries. All MS had to do was make it work wireless too and it would be the best of both worlds. Their solution is nice tho.
I have 10 rechargeable AA. Just yesterday every PS4 controller in the house was dead. I have 9, (other family members have their own PS4)
I always have at least 2 AA charged up. I could also make sure the same thing happens to the PS4 controllers, but I can only control my own, and I usually do.
For the AA, I always have some hidden. So I'm always ready to play.
There is a convenience factor to rechargeable AA batteries. And the XBO controller can be used wired with no batteries. All MS had to do was make it work wireless too and it would be the best of both worlds. Their solution is nice tho.
Similar argument to preferring the ability to replace the drive rather than just plugin in expandable storage.
For many I understand that it's bewildering that something as advanced as a home console input is using AA batteries. It's not like a TV remote where you use it so irregularly that batteries will last for months. It's used for uninterrupted hours on end. People are used to the rechargeable AAs method and it works, so they'll keep going that way. If Xbox switched to internal tomorrow, people would just adjust like they once upon a time adjusted to using AAs after they switched from wired controllers to wireless. It's that simple.
The industry standardised internal long ago and electronic input devices are being designed to not have to work around the bulk that is a AA battery compartment.
For many I understand that it's bewildering that something as advanced as a home console input is using AA batteries. It's not like a TV remote where you use it so irregularly that batteries will last for months. It's used for uninterrupted hours on end. People are used to the rechargeable AAs method and it works, so they'll keep going that way. If Xbox switched to internal tomorrow, people would just adjust like they once upon a time adjusted to using AAs after they switched from wired controllers to wireless. It's that simple.
The industry standardised internal long ago and electronic input devices are being designed to not have to work around the bulk that is a AA battery compartment.
I game for 20+ hours a week on PlayStation for the last 15 years or whatever it has been since PS3 released and none of my controllers have ever stopped holding a charge.
I'll take 15 years of pure convenience over having to buy/replace/charge batteries.
I'll take 15 years of pure convenience over having to buy/replace/charge batteries.
I always play wired, never have to think about batteries/battery life one way or the other. Probably prefer built in batteries over buying recharable batteries or a battery pack extra though.
I've never had a issue with PS3 & PS4 regarding charging. Day 1 DualShock 4 still holds a charge that last for several sessions. My DualShock 3 from ~08 still works perfectly fine.
Seems like they are keeping that just for the Elite Pad
Every other modern device has a built in battery because having a removal battery has a major impact on the form factor (specifically the size / thinness of the device). That's not an issue with most video game controllers, the one exception being something like the JoyCon.
I've tried many, for years, so don't know, usually from reliable brands, Energizer for example, but also Amazon ones. Controllers: Wii and 360.
But goes beyond that: remotes or even led lights i have in the wardrobe last less using rechargeable vs alkaline. And what is worse, with alkaline i know more or less good long will last, with rechargeable is a lottery.
And i still have my almost 15 years old sixaxis (the one without vibration) which i use as a second controller for my switch using mayflash ns adaptor working perfectly well.
Ps4 controllers last less than DS3 but also zero problems with then batteries dying
OP
OP
I just want fewer things to manage or worry about when playing a game. Much prefer just plugging a cable into a controller to charge it, than go looking for batteries and having to dispose of the old batteries.
(and each single one of those four batteries carry literally twice the charge that the DS4 does, individually)
I
im already plugging in like 20 devices to charge and its the easiest thing aside from wireless charging. Then add one charger for individual c-cells and another for managing large lipos. This is already obnoxious enough without having to flip aa's in and out and tend another charger for the few devices without their own battery. Unfortunate the steam controller uses aa's. At least they last a reasonable time, because I just throw them away. I use the steam controller less for this reason. Wireless keyboards and mice last so long that I don't worry about throwing them away. Never mind it seems to be only 'eneloop' enthusiasts who want to use aa's in their controllers lol.
im already plugging in like 20 devices to charge and its the easiest thing aside from wireless charging. Then add one charger for individual c-cells and another for managing large lipos. This is already obnoxious enough without having to flip aa's in and out and tend another charger for the few devices without their own battery. Unfortunate the steam controller uses aa's. At least they last a reasonable time, because I just throw them away. I use the steam controller less for this reason. Wireless keyboards and mice last so long that I don't worry about throwing them away. Never mind it seems to be only 'eneloop' enthusiasts who want to use aa's in their controllers lol.
I would too, but that willingness to spend more is probably one reason they don't, because there will unfortunately always be some consumers (like me) that pay the extra for their play and charge kits instead, which when I checked just now are £16.99. That's a tidy extra margin for Microsoft for those that do buy their proprietary P&C kit instead of rechargeable batteries and a charger.
I don't think one is superior over the other, it's a matter of personal preference. I've never lost a controller due to the internal battery not holding a charge.
...okay? That feels like you're devoting way more thought to my lifestyle and various electronics in my house than I do, which is a bit weird, but fine.
I don't have a smoke detector and pretty much everything else that is battery operated (like the kitchen scale and whatnot) uses button cells.
Honest to god, AA battery charger would be only for my Xbox controllers, which, at this point in the lifecycle of the console sounds like a bad investment anyway, but more importantly, I can only argue what is more convenient for me personally.
I understand this is a hard concept to grasp. Give it a few minutes. Smell the roses. Go outside. Move on with your life.
It's all preference, really. I prefer having a controller charging while playing with the other, instead of stopping and fiddling with batteries. (Rechargable batteries are cheap at costco these days)
Every official play and charge kit for my Xbox has died within a year, so in my experience, those battery packs should just be avoided.
Every official play and charge kit for my Xbox has died within a year, so in my experience, those battery packs should just be avoided.
I don't care either way, I may even slightly prefer AA batteries, but... You could make an argument you're getting more value with a built-in battery because with the Xbox controllers you have to either purchase rechargeable AA's or replace AA's regularly which could add quite a bit of cost to the controller over its life.
Nope? lost my tv remote long time ago, use my phone for my tv. My smoke detector is the only thing that has a battery, and its also mains powered battery is incase of power cut
I agree it's nice to have the option but I do wish Microsoft included a play and charge kit. It's stinks having to buy one for another $25 when the controller is already like $65 I know there are cheaper third party options but I've always had bad experiences with them.
Good. That is not my experience at all, but I understand that this is your preference.
You can plug in a usb and keep going on the xbox controller....
So your experience is you never have to plug in your controller to charge it? Cause I never have to plug the Xbox controller in to charge it.
It's seems to me that, anything you say, he always has a life experience that contradicts exactly what you're saying, so i suppose you're just wasting your time. A friend of mine was like that with everything Sony, until 2 controllers died then he changed his tune.This after i said several times i was pissed off at them because my mp3 player at the time (expensive as fuck) didn't hold a charge after 1 year of use.
The truth is that I don't buy iPhones, I understand that people like it but I feel that they are super overrated and there is a more feeling of belonging / social group for having them than for the functionality that gives for price / quality. And on the smartphones that I bought, I rarely had to change the battery, and when I did, I bought a generic one and changed it.
But I understand what you say, the problem is that they don't allow removable batteries without losing the warranty.
I want to charge the batteries while playing, and without removing them from the controller. I don't know if that's possible with AAs?
OP
OP
Okay, so since you believe most people won't by rechargeables it shouldn't be an option?
You're being pretty damn unreasonable about this, hasn't happened to me either, but sure, I'm lying about it to further my hidden agenda about friggin' built in batteries.
I bought a play and charge kit at the beginning of the gen and it still lasts me 7-8 hours a charge and I can just plug it in via usb when I play to charge. Meanwhile, my PS4 controller lasts me about 6-7 hours and I've only had it for a year. Constantly have to stop my play sessions or charge it every night.
I personally prefer built in batteries. I have controllers with both—DualShock 4, Switch Pro Controller, and Joycons with rechargeable. Xbox One, Windows Mixed Reality, and Steam Controller that use AAs. I use rechargeable AAs for all those controllers, but I find just plugging in the controller itself much more convenient.
I think the best option is controllers with rechargeable batteries that are easily replaceable. Like the Switch Pro Controller—it's very easy to get to the battery. It also uses the same battery as the 3DS, making getting a replacement that much easier.
The main argument against proprietary batteries is that further into the future, when the batteries in old controllers are dead, it could be nearly impossible to get a replacement. So far though, a lot of older consoles still have replacement batteries being produced by third parties, for relatively cheap.
I think the best option is controllers with rechargeable batteries that are easily replaceable. Like the Switch Pro Controller—it's very easy to get to the battery. It also uses the same battery as the 3DS, making getting a replacement that much easier.
The main argument against proprietary batteries is that further into the future, when the batteries in old controllers are dead, it could be nearly impossible to get a replacement. So far though, a lot of older consoles still have replacement batteries being produced by third parties, for relatively cheap.
I actually refuse to upgrade my Samsung phone, because they moved towards that model. In my experience, my phones stop holding charges very rapidly, I very much value the ability to easily swap out a battery for a new one.
I am actually looking for a newer phone with replaceable batteries for the very reason being discussed. it really sucks.
I have two Dualshocks and I just switch them on the cable. Problem solved.
I could do that with two Xbox controllers, too, if I forked another 25 bucks per controller for the same functionality.
I've never had a preference either way, however my original PS3 controllers still work perfectly fine and I used the shit out of them. I've never replaced or had an issue with a controller with built in batteries losing charge. Other devices? Sure. I do hate the weight that gets added to Xbox controllers from batteries though.
I had some from then too. That they lasted into another console generation is wild.
15 bucks plus the charger. That is half a brand new controller. And no, those don't last for years. Not in my experience
Bulk? There's still a battery inside rechargeable controllers. There still needs to be space for it. I've just held up both controllers and the backs of the DualShock and the Xbox controller are almost exactly the same size. The back of the Elite controller (internal, rechargeable battery) is exactly the same as the AA controllers. They're certainly not like the old 360 pads.
Just because they're not using specifically AA batteries doesn't mean there's no battery in there!
Rechargeable AA's can get you up to ~5000mAh compared to the 1000-1400mAh that seems typical of internal controller batteries.
Would be ideal if you could charge AA's in the controller through USB, but I suppose there are safety or reliability reasons why you can't.
Having to maintain an additional set, and swapping AA's every 50 hours of use or whatever isn't something anyone should be particularly bothered by, but I guess is some manner of inconvenience. I can't see how it's particularly more of one than either being unable to use the controller until it's at least partially charged, or having to wire it. Or having to buy a charging dock that charges the controller when the console is off.
Whether or not to use this or that is kind of a moot question as Microsoft's solution allows you to choose between AA's or an easily replaceable internal battery, offering whatever inconvenience you prefer. It's clearly and objectively superior to having just an internal battery that you have to break the warranty and risk fucking up the controller to replace. Would they have to pay Microsoft licensing fees or why is everyone else not copying Microsoft here?
Hopefully the DS5 battery life won't be terrible like the DS4's. And hopefully the charging cable won't make you sit in front of your couch.
Hopefully Microsoft won't decide to change course.
Would be ideal if you could charge AA's in the controller through USB, but I suppose there are safety or reliability reasons why you can't.
Having to maintain an additional set, and swapping AA's every 50 hours of use or whatever isn't something anyone should be particularly bothered by, but I guess is some manner of inconvenience. I can't see how it's particularly more of one than either being unable to use the controller until it's at least partially charged, or having to wire it. Or having to buy a charging dock that charges the controller when the console is off.
Whether or not to use this or that is kind of a moot question as Microsoft's solution allows you to choose between AA's or an easily replaceable internal battery, offering whatever inconvenience you prefer. It's clearly and objectively superior to having just an internal battery that you have to break the warranty and risk fucking up the controller to replace. Would they have to pay Microsoft licensing fees or why is everyone else not copying Microsoft here?
Hopefully the DS5 battery life won't be terrible like the DS4's. And hopefully the charging cable won't make you sit in front of your couch.
Hopefully Microsoft won't decide to change course.
Last edited:
Even if the rechargeable battery dies, it's very easy to buy a cheap replacement and replace it yourself. Like if you can use a screwdriver, you can do it. I don't understand how people like swappable batteries, with MS it just seems like a cash grab to sell you a play and charge kit. I would be less annoyed with it if they included the kit with the controller, then maybe you could argue that you're giving customers value + choice.