Xbox Confirms Real Reason Their Controllers Still Use Batteries

Microsoft has revealed why their controllers still use batteries despite other companies pushing into USB charged options.

If you own multiple consoles, you might wonder why Xbox choose to go with the slightly old-fashioned option of AA batteries for the controllers.

It’s particularly baffling next to the likes of PlayStation, which opted for USB-C charging ports on the DualSense.

The reason is actually rather simple, according to Microsoft’s Jason Ronald, who told Eurogamer some years ago.

Ronald went on to explain that the main reason for sticking with batteries was “flexibility,” as it allows players to either use disposable batteries, their own rechargeable options, or a battery pack.

Some might argue it’s an archaic system in place, but usually batteries last quite a long time in an Xbox controller, as it’s doing less, technologically, than the DualSense, or even Nintendo’s JoyCons.

The controller doesn’t burn through batteries, which lets players use whatever they have to hand.

It also means they don’t need to worry about playing with a wire connected to the console at any point, as they can grab new, or newly charged batteries, and replace them.

Microsoft notes that players have been happy with the controller since the Xbox One, and they didn’t see a need to change it.

Fans of the battery operated hardware often note that using this option creates a longer life for the controller, as internal batteries will degrade over time and constant recharging.

Of course, third-party hardware manufacturers have since created charging packs that can be inserted into the battery compartment for those who want the convenience of just picking up the controller and playing.

Will this be changed with the next Xbox console? It all depends on if they follow Sony and begin to implement reactive triggers or a speaker in the controller, as these would need more power.