Controller Wars: Xbone vs PS4

[BikeJunkie]

So I now have a PS4 and an Xbone in-hand. One has to go and will be sold sooner rather than later. Obviously one of the points of consideration is how the two controllers compare. I loved the 360 controller and detested the DS3.

I instantly enjoyed the DS4. Everything about it feels solid. My only complaint is I prefer offset analog sticks. But I got used to that pretty quickly.

I expected to much prefer the Xbone's controller, but now that I have it in hand, I'm actually kind of disappointed. It's a totally serviceable controller, don't get me wrong. It's not bad, but it's a step back from the 360's in a couple key ways and it's certainly not a champion over the DS4 IMO.

First of all, it doesn't feel solid. It's not quite cheap-feeling, but it doesn't feel solid. Second, the bumpers suck. They're every bit as hard to get to as the reviews say. Third, there's a lot of weird play in the d-pad. Clicking it still feels precise, but this extra play adds to the cheap feel. Lastly, and probably the most annoying, is just how loud the ABXY buttons are when you press them.

I've had more time with the DS4 so that clearly counts for something, but so far I'm not as crazy about the Xbone's controller as I thought I would be. I still prefer offset analogs, but the sticks themselves don't feel quite as nice as I expected them to.

On the upside, the triggers are awesome. They're buttomer-smooth and have a very nice luxurious/plush feel to pressing them.

I didn't mean for this to be a bashing of the Xbone's controller... just throwing out my thoughts as they come to me. Again it's not a bad controller, but the DS4 just feels all around better to me at this point.

 

[Phobic9]

I haven't voted on the poll but I have yet to use the Xbox One controller but I have used both the 360/PS3 controllers quite a bit. I like Xbox360 controller much much more than the DS3. I liked the 360s offset sticks as well but we all know about that garbage D-pad it had. The DS3 feels cheap mostly because it feels too light. The button layout seems a bit too close together as well. Could be all in my head but...

...the DS4 is leagues better than the DS3. Hands down, no question. It feels a lot better in the hand, the thumbsticks are really nice now with the rubberized coating (though I hear it rubs off a little easy for some people) and the extra weight of it feels really nice. I don't really notice the light bar and I haven't really had much use out of the speaker and touchpad yet.

If I had a gripe about the DS4 it's the battery life. The DS4 seems to die really fast, probably because of the new tech in the controller.

 

[Fingolfin269]

If I had a gripe about the DS4 it's the battery life. The DS4 seems to die really fast, probably because of the new tech in the controller.

Just how fast is really fast? You have me wondering if console controllers are the new cell phone when it comes to battery life woes.

 

[Phobic9]

Just how fast is really fast? You have me wondering if console controllers are the new cell phone when it comes to battery life woes.

Well I haven't had any extended play sessions yet but I would say your comment about "the new cell phone" sums it up nicely. I'm already at the point where I remind myself to plug it in to charge every night, just like my phone. Not a huge deal but with my DS3, I could play over the span of a few days (few hours at a time) and not worry too much about having to charge it.

Most people say the DS4 seems to last about 8 hours max. Like I mentioned before, I haven't exactly done any conclusive tests or timed anything. Just a comment on how it's been so far for me.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Battery life on the DS4 is definitely a weak point, but the cell phone analogy is a good one - if you just remember to charge it at the end of the day you'll be fine. I sit about 3 feet from my PS4 so battery life isn't an issue for me, but I can see it being a concern for most people.

 

[exdeath]

Just how fast is really fast? You have me wondering if console controllers are the new cell phone when it comes to battery life woes.

Battery life on DS4 has got nothing on Wii U.

You know its bad when the controller comes with a dock and its own AC brick!

I never noticed, I had the PS4 controller plugged in via a 15 foot USB extension cable when I first set it up and forgot about the cable all weekend.

 

[KeithTalent]

Yeah the battery life is very stinky on the DS4, it's kind of annoying. The first night I played for a few hours, then turned my system off and went to bed. When I got home the next day and turned my system on, played for about an hour and the controller was close to dead.

Now I leave the system on standby which seems to continue charging the controller, but it's stupid that I need to make sure to do that every single time.

KT

 

[Doppel]

Haven't touched an xbone controller, none of the damn displays seem to have any in the stores. Dualshock 4 feels nice, though. Yesterday was my first real day using a DS3 and I can see why people complain about them. Seriously chintzy, and too small.

 

[BikeJunkie]

Yeah DS3 was garbage. It's literally what kept me away from the PS3 (and the notoriety of PSN at the time). I'm probably going to keep my Xbone due to the library of games, but damn am I going to miss the DS4

 

[Fulle]

I love the DS4, but since I haven't had a fair amount of hands on time with the Xbox One controller, it would be unfair for me to vote yet.

@Exdeath

The Wii U Gamepad has a user replaceable battery, thankfully. An official higher capacity battery was released in the UK, but not in North America yet... So, at least it's a fixable problem.

Interestingly, the Wii U Pro controller has ridiculously GOOD battery life. 80 hours? Whaat?

 

[robvp]

i love the DS4 but agree on battery life, i have to charge it every 2 days and my daily sessions are 1-2 hours long

 

[PieIsAwesome]

Um, wha? The battery life on the DS4 is seriously that bad?

What I hated about the DS3 was plugging it into my turned off PS3 to charge it, and it not charging. Then its refusal to charge from my powered USB hub or my shut off PC. WTF it needs USB handshake to charge?!

But the battery lasted a long time, so that made up for it.

 

[KaOTiK]

Um, wha? The battery life on the DS4 is seriously that bad?

What I hated about the DS3 was plugging it into my turned off PS3 to charge it, and it not charging. Then its refusal to charge from my powered USB hub or my shut off PC. WTF it needs USB handshake to charge?!

But the battery lasted a long time, so that made up for it.

Battery is like 7-8 hours. I personally haven't had a problem with it, but I can totally understand how it is a problem. I do wish Sony released their official charge station that the EU is getting. We only have officially licensed products here in NA

 

[Topweasel]

Battery is like 7-8 hours. I personally haven't had a problem with it, but I can totally understand how it is a problem. I do wish Sony released their official charge station that the EU is getting. We only have officially licensed products here in NA

I have done a full charge twice now on my controller and needing it a third time and outside about 1.5 hours me playing around in Warframe and the other free FPS, I have only been using it for streaming and screen navigation, with some HDMI wake-up tests. Maybe as the battery gets used it will last longer. But I really doubt 7 hours at this rate. I wish there was a quick way to turn the controller off like the Xbox360 ones. Maybe its keeping a constant handshake with the system as apposed to just working through BT when it has information to send. Neither my Xbox360 or Sixxaxis controllers last this little. Also they need to not run that stupid huge light for hours on end.

 

[Imported]

I've only used the X1 controller at the Microsoft store for about 10 minutes so I don't have any lasting impressions, but I do remember it feeling cheaper than the 360 controller. The DS4 feels amazing. Its my favorite controller of the four.

 

[KaOTiK]

I have done a full charge twice now on my controller and needing it a third time and outside about 1.5 hours me playing around in Warframe and the other free FPS, I have only been using it for streaming and screen navigation, with some HDMI wake-up tests. Maybe as the battery gets used it will last longer. But I really doubt 7 hours at this rate. I wish there was a quick way to turn the controller off like the Xbox360 ones. Maybe its keeping a constant handshake with the system as apposed to just working through BT when it has information to send. Neither my Xbox360 or Sixxaxis controllers last this little. Also they need to not run that stupid huge light for hours on end.

I've gotten at least 7 hours out of it when I was playing games. There are settings for the system to turn the controller off after xx time passed, you can also hold down the Playstation button and select devices and turn it off that way if you want. Also, lowering the controllers volume will probably help, at default it is max volume.

I haven't had an issue yet with the life of the battery yet and I've been gaming heavily since launch. I also just plug in the charger when I take a break most of the time too, though a few days I didn't and didn't have a problem still.

 

[Topweasel]

I've gotten at least 7 hours out of it when I was playing games. There are settings for the system to turn the controller off after xx time passed, you can also hold down the Playstation button and select devices and turn it off that way if you want. Also, lowering the controllers volume will probably help, at default it is max volume.

I haven't had an issue yet with the life of the battery yet and I've been gaming heavily since launch. I also just plug in the charger when I take a break most of the time too, though a few days I didn't and didn't have a problem still.

I know that I can go in ad kill the controller and I need to test it but I am not sure if I am streaming or watching a BD it will go back to it. I have it set to 15 minutes which is what the PS3 and X360 controllers are set to. I'll turn off the remote volume. But in the end I am going to need to get a charge stand for my nightstand (have it set up in the bedroom), because as it stands its been the shortest a non-dead wireless battery has lasted me.

 

[OneOfTheseDays]

7 hour battery life is basically a deal breaker for me. Huge omission on Sony's part.

XBOX ONE controller OTOH lasts almost an entire week, if not more.

 

[cmdrdredd]

Haven't touched an xbone controller, none of the damn displays seem to have any in the stores. Dualshock 4 feels nice, though. Yesterday was my first real day using a DS3 and I can see why people complain about them. Seriously chintzy, and too small.

Supposedly none of the interactives will be done until after the holidays except at Microsoft stores.

 

[cmdrdredd]

7 hour battery life is basically a deal breaker for me. Huge omission on Sony's part.

XBOX ONE controller OTOH lasts almost an entire week, if not more.

Cause it still uses AA batteries.

Honestly guys you seriously don't plug in your controller at all for 7 straight hours? I mean...plug it in when you don't use it. When you use it, full charge.

I prefer the DS4 by far over the XB1 controller. I can get used to it but the XB1 feels like it has sharp angles and the analog sticks are too tall so they feel like they have a long throw. They also feel looser than than DS4 sticks to me. If I could only pick one it's be a PS4 because the controller is superior. Thankfully I don't have to choose but I agree with the OP's concerns regarding it. The XB1 controller doesn't feel as nice as it should or could.

 

[ChronoReverse]

I like the DS4 a LOT but the 7 hours battery life really is a downer.

Haven't gotten a chance to try the XO controller though. It's too bad it's a step back from the 360 controller (heads and shoulders above the DS3) in some ways though.

 

[cmdrdredd]

I don't understand...why is 7 hours too little? Are you guys playing for 10 hours at a time or what? After you're done, plug it in and it'll charge while you're away.

7 hours is more than a Nintendo 3DS would typically get. (averaging around 6)

 

[KaOTiK]

I don't understand...why is 7 hours too little? Are you guys playing for 10 hours at a time or what? After you're done, plug it in and it'll charge while you're away.

7 hours is more than a Nintendo 3DS would typically get. (averaging around 6)

I agree, I don't understand how it is such a problem others are making it out to be. I agree that it isn't great and can be an issue for some, but yeah, just plugging into the usb to charge when you are done with it and you have nothing to worry about it. I do that with my current wireless controllers.

 

[cmdrdredd]

It's like a phone to me. The battery will die after you use it a lot so you plug it in to charge. it won't overcharge and will shut off when it's full.

 

[BikeJunkie]

I have to agree on the charging. It's not a deal breaker unless you want to game for 7 hours straight. When you're done just plug it in. Small price to pay for getting rechargeable right out of the box and, IMO, a vastly superior controller.