Sony Shadowdrops PS5 DualSense Controller Version 3, Spec Unveiled

We have all experienced the true pain of being in the middle of a high-octane fight, only to be met with our controller shutting down after ignoring that ‘Battery Low’ alert one too many times.

Such is the problem with wireless controllers as, despite being a lot easier to use, they also come with the added issue of having to worry about their battery life.

When it comes to Sony’s DualSense controller, this issue is just as prevalent with many choosing to use their version without the hassle of wires.

However, that means that it is also easy to forget its current battery percentage and, as mentioned, it could lead to some sticky situations, especially during online multiplayer titles.

That is why Sony has seemingly been working on an even newer model of the DualSense for the PlayStation 5.

This news comes courtesy of console and controller technician modyfikatorcasper over on X (formerly Twitter) who recently shared the update on the DualSense V3.

According to them, the DualSense V3 is a “silent upgrade” that has already started to hit shelves and centers around “refreshing” the current Sony controller.

However, although model CFI-ZCT2W addresses the battery life issues some users have reported with the standard DualSense, the newer version does come with a slight price increase.

In the technician’s findings, the DualSense V3 will increase the average length of playtime from six to eight hours to an impressive 12 hours, meaning that you can game a lot longer than before without having to quickly plug it in to charge.

Sony

Everything Comes at a Cost

However, this battery life increase also comes alongside a price increase and for modyfikatorcasper, who lives in Poland, the new controller will see a $25 increase.

“In Poland, we are seeing a price jump of 100 PLN, which is roughly $25 USD,” they shared.

“While US markets often see these revisions replace old stock at the same price point, we’re essentially paying a New Battery Tax.”

This begs the question: is the extra five hours of gameplay worth the price increase, especially when the standard DualSense controller is already pretty expensive?

If your answer is yes, it is worth checking that your next DualSense purchase is the CFI-ZCT2W model as this will be the one with the improved battery life.

However, what this new iteration does not solve is the ongoing issue but luckily, some players have found a way to combat that themselves.

For now, be ready to splash the extra cash the next time you want to purchase the DualSense controller for your PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro.