It has a bit more of a pyramid profile than the DualSense-my hands feel really far apart on the DualSense when I press the shoulder buttons, while the Xbox brings my fingers closer together. The slightly shorter, smaller grips accommodate more hand sizes without sacrificing comfort for big hands like mine. I thought it was perfect with the Xbox One, but again, it's better, though more subtly this time.
I thought it was perfect with the Xbox 360, and then Microsoft made it better. It also got rid of the hard rims around the D-Pad and face buttons for a smooth surface, which just makes it overall more pleasant to hold.īut even with those improvements, there's something about the Xbox controller's shape that just feels perfect. That might not be the case for someone with smaller hands than mine. It's a bit wider and more contoured, which fits better into my hands. Even taking those advanced features away, I think the DualSense is a subtle improvement over the DualShock 4. There's so much clarity and detail in that new rumble. Switching to the Xbox controller after using the DualSense and feeling the haptics in a game like Forza Horizon 4, it really does feel suddenly very old-fashioned. I wrote in more depth about how cool the DualSense's new tech is here, so I won't belabor the point.
The triggers are the less flashy new feature, but probably even more useful-being able to add tension to a trigger pull or an accelerator or any action, even climbing up a ledge, is really exciting. There's never been a controller that could deliver specific sensations to your hand like this before.
Play a PS5 game that takes advantage of how powerful its haptics can be, like pack-in Astro's Playroom, and you'll immediately feel the difference. The bumpers and triggers are now matte instead of glossy plastic, and the triggers have that same grippy texture on top, too.Ĭontroller marketing has made a big deal out of rumble before, but nothing has delivered like the DualSense. The back of the controller has a new, rough texture to provide better grip, and it feels great. The D-Pad is completely redesigned with a very clicky raised circular design that seems to make both cardinal and diagonal inputs precise and easy. Xbox controller's notable design changes: The new Xbox controller's shape is only slightly changed from the Xbox One design, which Microsoft says is meant to better fit smaller hands (it still fits my larger hands very well).
XBOX ONE CONTROLLER FOR PC RUMBLE BLUETOOTH
Xbox Wireless Radio (console), Bluetooth Low Energy More powerful and nuanced motors, and "Adaptive" triggers