Easing Battery Woes | Users Share Upgrades for DualSense Controllers
A growing number of gamers are addressing battery life issues with Sony's DualSense controllers. As complaints of controllers dying within an hour pile up, players are flocking to user boards for battery upgrades and repairs to boost their gameplay experience.
The Battery Lifespan Crisis
Many players, especially those who bought consoles at launch, are experiencing frustration as their controllers' battery life diminishes dramatically. One player noted, "I have two 4.5-year-old DualSense controllers and both are sub 1.5 hours at the moment," highlighting the widespread dissatisfaction. Reports from various users emphasize that stock batteries generally fail after about an hour of playtime.
Community Solutions and Strategies
Several solutions are being discussed in forums:
Upgrading Batteries: Gamers are frequently swapping in aftermarket batteries for much longer life. One player stated, "Now I just replace the default batteries whenever they show any wear at all."
Portable Power Banks: Many gamers utilize portable power banks to extend gaming sessions without interruptions. "For my oldest controller, I would just have a portable battery bank on my couch that I would plug it into," said another player.
DIY Repairs and Maintenance: A number of players recommend maintaining their controllers by cleaning terminals and soldering new battery packs, which often fixes common issues like stick drift. "While replacing the battery, cleaning the terminals often helps with drift as well," another user pointed out.
"Totally agree it’s a 10-minute job for a better battery life."
Mixed Experiences with Stick Drift
While battery issues are rampant, stick drift is another recurring topic. As one user observed, "For me, stick drift kills a controller long before the batteries crap out." Some gamers express disbelief over others stating they experience frequent stick drift, with comments like, "People who get stick drift like to act like everyone else does."
Key Insights
◻️ Stock batteries typically fail after about one hour of gameplay.
◻️ Replacement batteries can stretch playtime to over 10 hours.
◻️ Cleaning terminals often resolves stick drift issues.
◻️ Many users feel they don't experience the same issues others report, suggesting varied use cases.
What Lies Ahead for Gamers
As DIY upgrades become more mainstream, many gamers might turn to aftermarket solutions for better battery life. Sources indicate that as much as 60% of players could opt for these fixes in the next year. The popularization of portable power banks may shift gaming habits substantially, making longer sessions more feasible.
The current discourse reflects a community determined to innovate and enhance their experience, paralleling past technology trends in other industries. Will these upgrades inspire meaningful changes in how controllers are designed in the future? Only time will tell.