PS5 DualSense controller: Everything you need to know

The year 2020 did not go as planned for the most part as a consequence of the global pandemic. Still, it proved to be a much better year as some exciting new announcements got made for both console and PC gamers.

Despite all the uncertainties, the official launch for the Sony’s next-generation console PlayStation 5 is now just around the corner.

It will have a worldwide launch on November 19 and Sony is revealing more details every day, the most recent ones being what the PS5 user interface will look like.  Aside from PS5 itself, there is also a brand new controller releasing as well, making a fine addition to the PlayStation family.

Going from past naming conventions, it was assumed the new controller would be called the DualShock 5, but Sony flipped the switch on us and went with DualSense instead. The controller for PS5 is not only a departure in design (in a small way) from the company’s previous iterations but is also more advanced in terms of technology and features.

We explore the PS5's DualSense controller in its entirity, giving you an idea what to expect when you finally get your hands on it.

PS5 Controller Design

Instead of the bland single colour tone, PS5 DualSense will have black as the secondary colour, and white as the dominant colour. The physical appearance of the PS5 controller resembles the Switch Pro or an Xbox controller far more than the DualShock 4 peripheral of PS4. It comes with vertical grips and is much more prominent in size, which offers considerable spacing between its face buttons and D-pads. Unlike most modern controllers, PS5 controller comes with dual analogue sticks in parallel and has a massive touchpad at the core of its face.

• Read more: PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparison: Price, specs and launch games

Apart from losing the classic sleek grey colour, the face buttons are also roughly the same as before. The button layout of DualSense is almost identical to the DualShock 4 apart from lack of Share button to the touchpad’s left side. There is not much information regarding the button as of yet apart from going by the name Create. It will likely act as a video sharing option similar to PS4 that found on PS4.

Features of PS5 DualSense

First and foremost, the DualSense controller comes with haptic feedback, which lets you experience the varying gaming environments in a way not previously possible.

During a racing game, players will be able to feel the difference when the tracks will shift from concrete to muddy roads. It is not just the roads that provide an extraordinarily engaging and unique experience, but the character movements will feel more natural and realistic as well. The best example in this regard is that you will be able to handle the rumbling in your controller whenever your character feels sudden pain either through gunshots or fire. It might not sound convincing, but haptic feedback is an excellent step forward towards revolutionizing the user experience during the gameplay.

Another exciting feature of the PS5 controller is that its L2 and R2 buttons come with adaptive triggers. It implies that when you fire an arrow or pull the triggers, and perform a specific task with same L2/R2 control, it will feel the same under normal circumstances. But with the adaptive triggers, it will assist in generating enough tension in the button to help you experience the impact of firing a bullet or an arrow.

There is also an interesting new feature that comes with the PS5 controller that will assist competitive and multiplayer game lovers the most. The built-in microphone component of PS5 controller lets you virtually chat in-game and, at the same time, it does not matter if other players wear a headphone or not. It is perfect for short periods and moments when audio holds less significance. Furthermore, the PS5 controller will feature its unique built-in microphone array. There is no official confirmation, but the console might be compatible with voice recognition assistants similar to Google Assistance and Alexa in the near future.

When it comes to backwards compatibility of PS5, Sony made the final call that there will be only a handful of games that will function with DualShock 4 controllers, namely PS4 games.. You will require the latest controller to have the best gaming experience. Also, PS5 DualSense will not work on a PS4 which makes sense.

Battery Life of PS5 Controller

Aside from the exciting new features, it is pleasing to hear that the battery life of the PS5 DualSense will be receiving a significant upgrade when compared to the PS4 controller. It was one of the most disappointing aspects of the DualShock 4, with the poor battery life often resulting in players having to go wired to continue playing.

Though, there is no figure disclosed to the public as to how much better the battery life of the PS5 will be. Only the time can tell at the moment, but the announcement itself was more than enough to excite gamers. Also, similar to Xbox Series X, the PS5 controller will also be featuring a USB Type-C connector.

Price of PS5 Controller

The price for the PS5 DaulSense was officially announced during the PS5 reveal event held on 16th September. It will cost $69.99 upon the second purchase as customers will get one controller alongside the purchase of PlayStation 5. Compared to how much PS4 cost, the price is a little bit higher, but it was inevitable considering new upgrades and cool features that come alongside it.