While Microsoft has unveiled much of its next-generation hardware, Sony has been much slower at announcing details around the PlayStation 5. But today, the company is starting to talk more about the controller that will come with the PlayStation 5.

So what’s new? Well, the look is clearly different and features a more rounded and less angular design than the previous generation. You can read the full announcement post here but below are the highlights of the update:

• Haptic feedback
• Adaptive triggers into the L2 and R2 buttons – increase the tension of triggers
• Changed the angle of the hand triggers
• Rechargeable battery
• “Create” button feature – replaces Share Button
• Adds a built-in microphone array – no headset  needed for chat now

Sony will continue the use of rechargeable controllers and is not going to have the option to use replaceable batteries. Microsoft got mixed reviews on this for the Elite series 2 having a sealed battery and the basic controller of the series X will have replaceable batteries.

The inclusion of a mic array will be helpful for those who want to chat but don’t have a headset. Considering that every controller will have a microphone in it, I do wonder if Sony is planning for voice features of its next console – only time will tell.

The company is sticking with its symmetrical analog stick input and the overall button layout isn’t changing too much. One update is that the Share button is being replaced by a Create button but the company isn’t ready to explain all the details yet behind that feature.

The Dual Sense design update is quite a significant change from the previous generation and it does appear to be significantly more ergonomic than previous PlayStation controllers. And notably, this controller looks similar to that of the Xbox design which I have long preferred which means it should be a solid update for PlayStation fans.

Tagged with Controller, PlayStation 5, Sony