Based on the description on their site, the controller includes a built-in battery: "8.39 Wh Li-ion battery, 35+ hours of gameplay… "
That was disappointing for me. Specially condidering the Steam Frame’s controllers make use of AA batteries: “One replaceable AA battery per controller, 40hr battery life”
AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage. All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3’ Dualshock 3s.
The official docking station could be used to recharge (rechargables) AA batteries so the functionality could remain the same.
Gross, no thank you.
18650 would be cool though.
Funny, the steam frame using AA’s was disappointing to me. There’s multiple types of rechargeable AA’s on the market and having them through the controller and not potentially cause problems would be difficult as I understand it. Valve has been pretty good about parts being replaceable and available, the steam deck’s parts are sold through ifixit.
There is no bigger disappointment than wanting to play some VR and your controller is dead and you have to charge it. Can’t really charge them while playing like on normal controllers either.
So I’m quite happy that they went with AAs this time around. Although I need to pick up some rechargeable AA batteries when the Frame comes out.
That’s fair that you can’t charge them while playing like you could a regular controller I hadn’t really thought of that.
I’m with you. I loved how the AAs slotted into the handles of the original steam controller. I bought some Eneloop rechargeable AAs for it that still work great. I use them in my toothbrush, which I also bought because the rechargable lithium version died. The AA battery version of the toothbrush was like 1/5 the price and will probably last forever
No, AAs are crap. Charge your stuff when you go to sleep and you’ll never have problems.
Warms me heart to see the next generation of idiots supporting planned obsolescence.
Just have replaceable Li-ion batteries.
Reading these comments, I have to say that a number of users of this community have very strong views on batteries.
Like, I would not have expected as many people to get upset as did in a discussion over batteries.
One of the nice things with Xbox 360 controllers were the rechargeable battery packs. By default, the controllers used 2 AAs, but you could instead use a battery pack. Just remove the AA battery cover, pop in the rechargeable battery, and that’s it. You could then connect a cable to the controller to recharge the battery. And, if the battery happened to be empty (or dead because of old age), you could just replace it with 2 AAs, and continue playing. Some of 8bitdo’s controllers uses (or used) the same design, but they come with a rechargeable battery pack in the box.
AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage
it could still have a charging port so it doesn’t need to be any inconvenient
I absolutely would have preferred to use my existing rechargeable AA collection. I have them in a tray next to a charger on my desk, the charger shows the condition of the battery and swaps are fast, no need for disassembly and risking breaking plastic clips on the shell like happens every time I have opened a ps4 controller to replace not the battery but the charging board.
It could be a 18650 or another lithium standard size and make everybody Happy. Easy to remplace and a bigger life than square sized batteries.
I agree. 18650 are a much better starting point standard than AA.
Like brands do with their tools. One battery for all kinds
I mean I get the reason, but at the same time Li-ion is just so much better compared to NiMH and especially Alkaline. As long as its easy to open up and replace I’m all for internal li-ion batteries.
Yeah the issue is easily replaceable standardized sized battery, if li-ion started doing that, I’d be all in Li-ion band wagon for handheld consumer electronics, till that point I must agree with OP and i would keep demanding Aa batteries and use my niMH cells
If it’s not a standard battery design, then being able to replace it doesn’t matter as much. It would mean the company can charge excessive fees because their ‘custom’ battery is the only one that’s compatible with their product.
I don’t want to have to pay a subscription for physical disposable fuel pods for my controller, and it would be really nice if plugging it in cut down on input delay.
You should be using rechargeable batteries.
Instead, you’re supporting planned obsolescence.
I do. They’re built in to the controller.
I bought a Dualshock because of the trackpad, didn’t realize it didn’t have replaceable batteries.
Battery life is bad and it really annoys me.
I think I’ll try again to fix the stick drift on my Xbox controller…You can put a higher capacity battery in, at least on the DS4 and probably older models. Same is true for the newer DualSense controllers.
Oh interesting, thanks. I meant a Dualsense indeed, not Dualshock
That’s so funny, never been around playstation much but I could’ve also sworn they were called dualshock. Bernstein bears or whatever 😅
I see how my phrasing lead to the misunderstanding: I didn’t mean Dualshock don’t exist. They are the older versions, Dualsense are the newer ones
My main concern about that is that using AA and AAA form factors promotes the use of disposable dry cell batteries, even if nickel or lithium cells are just as widely available. And, realistically, not even the closest Li-ion form factor is fully compatible with AA, and Ni-MH sucks balls.
The controller is also filled to the gills with hardware. Doesn’t look like there’s enough volume left for AA or AAA receptacles without giving it an underbelly to rival the Xbox Duke.
On a slight side note, the Duke is the only controller I have ever liked, they just don’t make controllers for giant hands at all anymore. Lol
