How does the PS5 controller look like? Does it have the same features as DualShock 4? Would it be more comfortable than its siblings?
It’s said curiosity kills the cat. However, we say curiosity makes the cat clever!
Today, we are going to dive deep into the PS5 controller and tell you everything about it. We will discuss what we know, what we don’t know, and what you can expect.
So, hold tight and let’s discover more!
From DualShock to DualSense
Sony, for the first time, has made almost a complete makeover of their PS controllers.
Since the inception of PS, we have seen almost similar iterations and design of controllers till the PS4. The PS5 controller is the first candidate to step aside and create a genre of its own.
To begin with, you now transform from Dual-“Shock” to Dual-“Sense.” According to Sony, the new controllers will allow gamers to immerse themselves in the gaming experience much more than its predecessors. We would be able to feel the activities in the games through our senses for higher engagement and satisfaction. We’ll talk more on that in a bit.
The PS5 controller even gets a thorough makeover in appearance. Sony has also made efforts to make the controller more comfortable for people with different hand sizes.
We will need to go into details to give you a clear idea of how the new controller looks and feels. We will be mentioning the DualShock 4 features alongside so that you can know the differences.
Getting to Know DualSense: The Brad New PS5 Controller
The DualSense sports a range of improvements and changes over the PS4 controller. You can say the PS5 controllers usher a new era of gaming driven by Sony technology. Pete Hines, senior VP marketing, Bethesda, feels you will completely forget about PS4 controller once you use the DualSense!
Design and Looks
The DualSense makes a departure from the well-known Sony PS controllers. The PS5 iteration is way sleeker and cooler than the PS4 version. You can even compare it with a UFO or a futuristic flying shuttle travelling the space.
Interestingly, the round-edged design makes holding the controllers much more comfortable. The shoulder buttons have also got a sleeker and rounder touch for the same purpose. Compared to the DualShock 4, the PS5 controller is a bit bulky to accommodate the additional hardware.
Apart from the shape, the colour department has also received a makeover. All of us think of a black, monotone colour when we speak of PS controllers. However, the new PS5 controller adopts a two-tone colour for the first time.
The DualSense is primarily a whitish-grey controller with touches of black and a sprinkle of blue. All the buttons, except the shoulder ones and triggers, are also grey.
The last thing to change in design in the location of the light bars. From the top of the touchpad, the light bar has now shifted to both sides of the same. The new design increases the coolness of the controller, makes the touchpad look a little bigger.
Buttons and Controls
Most of the buttons have retained their position from the PS4 controller. You can still find the circular face buttons, the two joysticks, directional buttons, and the shoulder controls without any change.
However, you do have a few new things to cheer about! First, the “share” button is now replaced with a “create” button. Though it’s function is not clear, you should be able to create gaming content on-the-fly, as Sony says. You will also be able to share the same using the create button.
The new PS5 controller sports a USB-C port for charging. You can even use the connection to play games off the wireless mode.
New Microphone and Longer Lasting Batteries
The DualSense controller comes with its own microphone array built into the controller. You can now chat and throw challenges to other players without even needing a headphone. However, Sony recommends using a headphone if you plan to talk for a long time.
Sony has also worked on the rechargeable battery to increase efficiency. We don’t have a number yet, but you can expect it to last longer than the DualShock 4. That being said, the new features and light bars can still be a battery-drain on the controller.
Apart from increasing longevity, Sony says they have also reduced the weight of the battery.
Next, we will discuss the innovative haptic feedback, which is a big USP for the DualSense.
DualSense Haptic Feedback and Adaptive Triggers
The adaptive triggers are the biggest attention-grabbers of PS5 controllers. They are equipped with haptic feedback to create a rich and immersive gaming experience. The whole concept of DualSense is what makes the PS5 controller superior to all its predecessors.
Haptic feedback is not a new concept. Apart from gaming, the technology has found use in various industries like automotive, theme parks, mobiles, and more.
Essentially, haptic feedback enables machines to communicate with humans via touch. Your vibrating mobile phone is the simplest example of how the technology works. For gamers, haptic feedback reflects in those vibrations and rumbles generated by the controller according to the actions in the game.
Sony has taken the technology to a new level in the DualSense. The adaptive triggers based on adaptive feedback can adjust their resistance to give a real feel of what’s happening in the game. For instance, the resistance or feeling you get driving a car will be different from driving a truck.
Sony is also believed to be using haptic feedback on the felt and right grips. According to the Wired, Sony’s technology is far better than the controller rumbles most gamers are familiar with. The grips feature easily programmable voice-coil actuators to give you a whole new experience of gaming.
The haptic technology and adaptive triggers sound really good on paper. But how do they translate into action?
The Immersive Experience of Adaptive Triggers in Reality
Let’s first see how the haptic feedback is supposed to feel in the words of Hideaki Nishino, Senior Vice President, Platform Planning & Management, Sony.
The adaptive triggers add a range of powerful sensations to create an immersive gaming experience. According to Nishino, we will feel the difference when driving through mud, compared to driving on tarmac. The drive through mud will increase the resistance of the triggers to make things more realistic.
In the same way, using a bow can feel completely different than using a gun in shooting games. You will feel more tenacity and the pull of the string while you aim your arrow. Sony has also incorporated the adaptive triggers in the R2 and L2 buttons for more impact. Surely, that would create a much more fulfilling experience for gamers.
Experts who got to test the DualSense seem to agree with Sony. All of them seemed to be blown away by the new controller and its haptic feedback feature.
Let’s take the case of Pete Hines, the VP of marketing, Bethesda. He twitted he was really impressed with Sony’s technology after trying it first-hand. Hines happily endorses the technology and says future games will use the haptic feedback to the fullest for some cool things.
Contributing editor Peter Rubin of the Wired seems to talk on the same lines. According to him, the adaptive triggers coupled with the controller speakers, can give birth to really awesome effects.
Rubin tried out a number of demos created by a Japanese studio. In the games, he had a character running over various surfaces. Rubin got a completely different feel and tactile experience on each surface. For example, running on sand or mud felt slow and sluggish. On the contrary, running on a wooden bridge creates a bouncy sensation. Likewise, running on the ice gave a sliding feeling while diving in water gave a sense of water resistance.
Rubin was also excited to get similar experiences while playing racing games. Driving on dirt tracks felt completely different than racing in a city or F1 track.
Rubin even compared the experience with the DualShock 4. But sadly, the DualShock 4 was nowhere close to the DualSense in terms of trigger feedback and gaming experience. You can only feel the rumbles; however, the feedback based on tracks completely went missing!
Most tech and gaming experts are excited about the improved haptic feedback on PS5 controllers. The gaming studios are already researching ways to make the most of the technology. So, we can expect some cool new experiences when the PS5 launches.
Next, we will take a look at how the new Sony controller feels in our hands.
The Feel and Comfort of the DualSense
We already said the DualSense is way sleeker and roundish than the DualShock 4. You also know it’s a bit bigger than the PS4 controller. So, how does it fit in your hands?
You might like to know Sony has worked through countless designs and concepts before coming up with the final design. As such, a lot of considerations went into creating the end product.
The Sony team worked together with their hardware engineers to fit the additional hardware without adding to the bulk. They also focused on the optimum placement of the actuators and triggers. Then, the engineers made an effort to create an exterior that feels smaller than it appears.
Sony also made a few more changes to make the design as comfortable as possible. These include the angle of the triggers and changes to the grip. The engineers also made an effort to cut down the weight of the controller.
Finally, Sony tested the DualSense through gamers with a range of hand sizes. The company wanted the controller to be versatile, comfortable, and have great ergonomics. Fortunately, Sony seems to have succeeded in their mission.
You can forget you are holding a controller as you get immersed in your game. Sony’s goal of transforming the player into the game and forget about everything else is now a reality. The expert opinions we mentioned in our post also seem to align with Sony’s claim.
Gamers will be able to be more comfortable and get a natural grip on the DualSense without any effort. Now, all we have to do is wait for Sony to launch the controller so that we can get our hands on it!
Sony PS5 DualSense Unconfirmed Features
We have discussed all the features of the PS5 controller until now, as confirmed by Sony. However, there are also many unconfirmed features that sound too promising! Are they too good to be true?
Before we can answer that, let’s first take a look at some of the unconfirmed features.
Wireless Charging
Sony has a patent filed under the title of wireless charging adapter for game controls. Some people are suggesting it means DualSense will come with wireless charging. The speculations are based on the diagrams in the patent that show a controller with a wireless charging base.
Now, there is no confirmed news of this patent being associated with DualSense. Also, Sony hasn’t made any such comments. So, we will have to wait and watch as it turns out!
Voice Control
Another patent filed by Sony shows a controller that has a voice control feature. The patent mentions a microphone, tactile devices, and speakers on a gaming control. Again, this is not clear whether the patent is related to the PS5 controller.
Sony did confirm the inclusion of a microphone in DualSense but didn’t disclose anything on voice control.
Heartbeat and Sweat Sensors
We have on our hands another patent from Sony talking about sensors to pick up your vital signs. The idea is, the game on the console will adjust based on your vital signs collected by the controller. The feedback includes heart rates, secretion levels of sweat, and so on.
This feature is again speculation and not a confirmed one. While the concept sounds really amazing, we have to wait and see to find the reality.
In the next section, we will take on some common questions about the new PS5 controller.
Can I Play Claw on the PS5 Controller?
Playing claw is a typical style gamers use to hold the controller. This type of grip enables gamers to use all the buttons on the control without letting go of any other button. As a result, gamers can take advantage of faster reaction times or switch weapons faster while tackling an enemy.
Many gamers are wondering whether they will be able to play claw on the DualSense. Now, it is a tricky question. Why?
Not all players use the same claw grip. Each has its own style of holding the controller. However, if you could play claw on your PS4 controller, you will be able to do so on the DualSense.
The position of the buttons and triggers of the PS5 controller is the same as DualShock 4. So, you will be able to take advantage of the claw hold you use.
The sleek and roundish shape of the new controller can also make playing claw more comfortable.
Will I be Able to Use PS4 Controllers on PS5?
Sony is yet to launch the PS5 and the DualSense controller. Yet, some gamers are already curious whether the DualShock 4 works with PS5.
Now, Sony has not made any announcement or confirmation on this. However, most Sony controllers are backwards compatible. That means you can use a DualShock 4 with a PS3, a DualShock 3 with PS2, and so on.
Going by this trend, a DualShock 4 should work with PS5. But do remember that you won’t be able to enjoy the features of the PS5 controller. That means you will not be able to feel the haptic feedback provided by the DualSense adaptive triggers.
You will be able to play the game normally with the controller rumbles.
Will DualSense be Compatible with PS4?
This is another question many gamers are asking. Would you be able to connect your PS5 controller to PS4? Will you be able to enjoy haptic feedback feature then?
Fortunately, you may be able to play your PS4 games on the DualSense. Sony devices are backwards compatible, so the new PS5 controller may fit your older PS. Both the controllers are also similar except a few features.
However, you will not be able to enjoy features like haptic feedback. PS4 games are not developed by incorporating the technology. As a result, you will miss out the whole point of the adaptive triggers.
You can, though, play the games and perform all actions. But surely, it’s not really wise to spend on a new controller that you can’t even fully utilize on your old PS.
What Colours are DualSense Available In?
For now, Sony has only given a glimpse of their new controller. You can see the controller has two colours- grey and black. So will you be able to choose your favourite colour?
Sadly, here too, we don’t have any confirmation from Sony. Nonetheless, we can expect different colours to be available once PS5 controllers hit the market in 2020.
We can say this based on the marketing strategy and DualShock 4 colours. Sony will obviously want to sell as many controllers as they can and will definitely make them in attractive colours.
Will I be Able to Buy Customized DualSense?
Many reputed manufacturers sell customized PS controllers. You will find several improvements and refinements to make the gaming experience more pleasurable.
Now, the PS5 controller is not launched yet. Once it does, you can expect several companies to develop customized DualSense. You can then place your order for a customized DualSense controller.
You may even be able to buy a controller with a totally uncommon colour.
What will be the Expected Price of DualSense?
Sony hasn’t made any comments on the price of PS5 controllers. We can expect them to be priced more than the PS4 controllers which sell for around £40. Maybe you will be able to buy the DualSense at £60 – £70.
The probable prices are just a speculation. You can expect a higher price if Sony decides to add the unconfirmed features or something new.
When will DualSense Controllers Hit the Market?
You will need to wait till the Holidays 2020 to get your hands on the controller. It will most probably be launched during Christmas along with the new Sony PS5.
Till then, keep a watch on this page for more updates on the DualSense! We will be adding more information as soon as it’s available!
Last Updated on June 10, 2021 by Icy Tech Team