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[thenameDS]

I'm constantly having to think about my battery on the DS4. Some games it lasts 5 hours others it lasts around 3. Usually when I get the chance to play I do long gaming sessions.

Build quality wise I can't complain my controller still feels solid and my sticks are holding up great.

I sit within arms reach of my PS4 and I really can't say I notice any sound coming from my console.

Are you wearing headphones with the volume at 100%? Because I sit about 7ft away from my console and I can hear it over my sound bar speaker and let me tell you it's loud loud!

My friend sits next to his on a desk and when I'm over his house it's unbearable, but he does play with a headset when he's alone so he doesn't hear it as much.

 

[n0razi]

Its a 5 dollar, 5 minute fix with a small screwdriver

If youre too lazy for that then just get a $10 battery pack and leave it plugged it

Here's a more "elegant" option

 

[Yautja_Warrior]

I normally get about 6-7 hours from mine, from a full charge and if it runs out in one session, it probably means I've been playing too long anyway

 

[Shpeshal Nick]

Yeah unfortunately if you want to be able to use PS4 controllers wirelessly, then you need to own 2 and swap them out.

The "just play plugged in" people are weirdos. Defeats the purpose of a wireless controller.

 

[n0razi]

Yeah unfortunately if you want to be able to use PS4 controllers wirelessly, then you need to own 2 and swap them out.

The "just play plugged in" people are weirdos. Defeats the purpose of a wireless controller.

What about swapping out the built in 1000mah battery for a 2000mah one that costs $5 and is behind 2 screws?

 

[Shrike_Priest]

two controllers + charging stand works well for me. I think I may have run out once or twice before getting it, but it hasn't happened since.

That said, I don't really go for marathon sessions any more. But I know it's lasted more than 4 hours plenty of times.

 

[Straight Edge]

I find taking a break to charge after 5 hours of playtime is very acceptable.

 

[modsbox]

Have posted it before but I highly recommend this battery mod if you open up your DS4 (say to replace the sticks) or if you just really want longer life.

DIY instructions here

Battery you use for it is an ACTUAL 2000mah battery (not the fake 2000mah batteries on amazon and ebay) purchased from adafruit for $12.50 here

I've done this to two controllers and get nearly exactly double the battery life. Huge difference.

 

[nib95]

Mine last for about 6-8 hours. Sounds like your controllers battery is knackered. I do play with the light bar on dim mind.

 

[Placiibo]

Yeah that's true but you have to remember to plug it in every time you finish. Otherwise your controller may die mid session next time. It's something that's always on your mind with the ps4, and that hampers my enjoyment. Controller battery life is not something we should have to think about constantly.

With the xbone you can just toss your controller to the side after you finish or leave it on the nightstand and not worry about it.

Toss it aside or click it on a dock. I'm not seeing much difference in time and energy spent there, especially if the dock is where you would toss it normally.

 

[Dr. Kitty Muffins]

Have posted it before but I highly recommend this battery mod if you open up your DS4 (say to replace the sticks) or if you just really want longer life.

DIY instructions here

Battery you use for it is an ACTUAL 2000mah battery (not the fake 2000mah batteries on amazon and ebay) purchased from adafruit for $12.50 here

I've done this to two controllers and get nearly exactly double the battery life. Huge difference.

I've got the new battery at home but where do I find the screwdriver? It would be easier for me to order it online.

 

[diablos991]

Sony does need a new controller, but for an entirely different reason.

I would like to see something akin to the Xbone Elite controller. Even AA batteries in the DS4 would be an upgrade for me due to having an abundance of rechargeable eneloops around the house which give great battery life on controllers.

 

[Suzushiiro]

My solution has just been to have two controllers and switch them out when one runs low. I even have one of those docks that can charge two controllers at once.

 

[Juxo]

It's possible to use the micro USB cable which comes with a smartphone to plug the controller directly into the wall, if you're closer to a power outlet / too far from the console to use an accident prone cable plugged directly to a USB port. How advisable this is is debatable.

Luckily my gf plays too, so we have two and for single player games I always have one charging and just swap them. Still, ludicrously short battery life for something so essential.

 

[Lucreto]

I can honestly say I have no problem with the controllers battery life and I have had it since launch. I have yet to see a battery low warning screen. I don't play 8 hour marathon sessions to drain the controller and whenever I finish playing I plug it in and leave it on standby mode.

 

[bananafactory]

A whole day would be 24 hours. Your controller isn't coming close to half of that.

Sorry, I don't mean a literal day. I mean like 6-8 hours which is what I would consider a full day of gaming

 

[Pezus]

It's an effective tactic to prevent people from playing games for way too long at a time lol. I mean, come on, are 5 hours at a time not enough (mine seems to last at least that long)?

Most people probably don't game much more than 1-2 hours a day on avg

 

[Enter the Dragon Punch]

Sony actually fucked up the rubber membranes in the newer controllers so they're less repairable.

I've taken apart a few, and the newest white one I disassembled was lacking any of the proper pin holes in the membranes backing both the face buttons and the d-pad.

In older DS4s, there were 4 small holes that made sure the membranes stayed on the damn thing properly. Now, if you're even a MM off, it makes the d-pad or buttons no register when you make light presses.

 

[adamantypants]

I keep almost buying those batteries but in the two years I've had my PS4 I've gotten used to just plugging in the controller after I use it so it charges while the PS4 is in rest mode. It's an extra step but I'm already trained to it.

 

[WordsintheWater]

What about swapping out the built in 1000mah battery for a 2000mah one that costs $5 and is behind 2 screws?

May do this with my old ones that have messed up sticks and might as well swap out the sticks too.

 

[Wolfgunblood Garopa]

All this complaining when you can easily get ds4s for like 15 bucks, just buy a few extras. All you have to do is find this guy Joe in Tuscawaras county, Kentucky. He can be found driving around in his blue ford ranger pickup truck, mostly in the fall when the leaves turn and during a crescent moon. He might have a box of them that he lifted from somewhere, at least he did when I saw him last year.

 

[Nosgotham]

Poor controller battery life? Yes.

3 hours? No.

Are you trolling, stupidly exaggerating, or is your controller broken?

mine woukd get maybe 4 hours and my brothers too, long warframe sessions included us bitching at least a couple times about our controllers dying. then i go to my wiiu and can play with my pro controller for two weeks before charging.

there is a serious problem with the ds4 battery life. i can kind of forgive the game pad because of the screen and audio but it needs help too

 

[Intel_89]

Its a 5 dollar, 5 minute fix with a small screwdriver

Where can I get that battery?

 

[big_z]

Where can I get that battery?

amazon and ebay. some reviews say the battery life is no different or worse which makes me think theres a lot of knock offs out there.

 

[goonergaz]

It's an effective tactic to prevent people from playing games for way too long at a time lol. I mean, come on, are 5 hours at a time not enough (mine seems to last at least that long)?

Most people probably don't game much more than 1-2 hours a day on avg

this, plus take breaks (and charge whilst you do)

 

[The_Lump]

Its a 5 dollar, 5 minute fix with a small screwdriver

If youre too lazy for that then just get a $10 battery pack and leave it plugged it

Here's a more "elegant" option

Yeah they are great examples of how consumers can improve the poor performance of the product they bought - but I'd personally rather Sony improved their product to a more generally acceptable* standard themselves (which I think is OPs point).

*By acceptable, I mean comparable to it's predecessor/contemporaries.

 

[ResidentDante]

I'd love a upgraded DualShock 4:

-Much better battery lifespan.
-Bigger triggers (R2/L2) with more movement in them.
-D-Pad and left analogue stick switched (I know a lot of people will hate me for it, but how about selling controllers with either or?!)
-Slightly taller analogue sticks with stronger rubber and more deep concave dips in them.

 

[Tobor]

Anyone getting three hours of battery life has a busted controller.

Around 8 is normal and more than enough for me.

 

[goonergaz]

I'd love a upgraded DualShock 4:

-Much better battery lifespan.
-Bigger triggers (R2/L2) with more movement in them.
-D-Pad and left analogue stick switched (I know a lot of people will hate me for it, but how about selling controllers with either or?!)
-Slightly taller analogue sticks with stronger rubber and more deep concave dips in them.

It's called an Xbox One controller.

Seriously tho, it's not difficult to mod some of those changes and there will be 3rd party alternatives if you hate the d-pad position that much

 

[bobbytkc]

Yeah unfortunately if you want to be able to use PS4 controllers wirelessly, then you need to own 2 and swap them out.

The "just play plugged in" people are weirdos. Defeats the purpose of a wireless controller.

Buy a USB battery pack. Problem solved.

 

[Finale Fireworker]

Are you wearing headphones with the volume at 100%? Because I sit about 7ft away from my console and I can hear it over my sound bar speaker and let me tell you it's loud loud!

My friend sits next to his on a desk and when I'm over his house it's unbearable, but he does play with a headset when he's alone so he doesn't hear it as much.

The only time my PS4 makes any discernible noise is when it's powering off and runs the fans.

Did we ever figure out why it's such a problem for some people and not at all for others?

 

[Transistor]

I'm constantly having to think about my battery on the DS4. Some games it lasts 5 hours others it lasts around 3. Usually when I get the chance to play I do long gaming sessions.

Build quality wise I can't complain my controller still feels solid and my sticks are holding up great.



Are you wearing headphones with the volume at 100%? Because I sit about 7ft away from my console and I can hear it over my sound bar speaker and let me tell you it's loud loud!

My friend sits next to his on a desk and when I'm over his house it's unbearable, but he does play with a headset when he's alone so he doesn't hear it as much.

You need to check your thermal paste. There's no reason the console should be that loud

 

[Langdon Alger]

Agreed. But not because of the battery, because of the triggers.

 

[Crankshaft]

I played Dark Souls 2 for 3 hours last night.

I went from a full 3 bars of battery life to 2 bars.

I have the light set to Dim and I have the controller speaker off. I also do not listen to the audio through my controller.

I think if people are only getting 3 hours battery life then their controller is defective.

 

[Hazanko]

Hate the controller. Ive had peeling sticks and faulty R2. Would be nice to expect something that works.

 

[Hazanko]

Almost everything on the ps4 is shotty. The controllers are garbage both of mine are failing apart. The damn thing sounds like a jet engine on mgsv. The menus and layout are bad. The online VoIP is horrible br has gotten better. The wireless router is just 2.4gz.

It has better ram and video card than the xbone. I mean crap I play my ps4 95% of the time compared to my xbone.

For the console sounding like a jet engine. Have you tried spraying an air duster in the vents? It knocks out trapped dust. When my ps4 gets loud I do that and it fixes it.

 

[laxu]

I just want them to offer a "light bar off" option. How hard is that? I don't have the camera accessory so having that light on is pretty much useless and it reflects off my TV.

Also profiles so I can map any game any way I want.

 

[TNH853]

my release controller lasted about 6 hours. i recently bought a new ps4 (cuh-1200 model) and the new controller holds over 12 hours. it seems, sony did put a new battery in it.

 

[ZAMtendo]

I realised this only yesterday when I played my PS4 all day and it lost charge by the evening, it is pathetic. I'm used to my Wii U Pro Controller that has 300 hours of battery life and have only charged it 3 times.

 

[NoblesseOblige]

I have two controllers that seem to hold 6-8 hours of charge each. Which is more than enough for me as someone who only gets a maximum of 2-3 hours at any given time to play. I think I get the the warning of low battery once a week which just prompts me to switch to the other controller while the low one charges.

 

[wyk126]

Wii U Pro Controller battery last forever, well , not forever, but lat least few weeks.

 

[quickwhips]

It's annoying compared to my XB1 because for that controller I get about 30 hours and can change my eneloops in 1 minute

This plus I hope they fix the triggers breaking easy. Everyone is against double a but it would have been better than ps4 battery.

 

[strafe]

Have posted it before but I highly recommend this battery mod if you open up your DS4 (say to replace the sticks) or if you just really want longer life.

DIY instructions here

Battery you use for it is an ACTUAL 2000mah battery (not the fake 2000mah batteries on amazon and ebay) purchased from adafruit for $12.50 here

I've done this to two controllers and get nearly exactly double the battery life. Huge difference.

I'm going to second this. The mod is really easy in the grand scheme and it ended my only frustration with the controller. Battery life at least doubled

 

[Hatty]

If you have to mod something for to to be good its not a very good product IMO

 

[Valnen]

If you have to mod something for to to be good its not a very good product IMO

Not to mention, battery life isn't the only problem this controller has.

 

[IAmRandom31]

I don't game for 6 hours in a row anyway, so the battery life never affects me. Occassionally will have to plug it in while I play but the thing charges REALLY fast. Like 30 minutes and its good to go.

So nah, battery life is fine for a regular joe these days who only plays 1-2 hours at a time a day

 

[drotahorror]

What about swapping out the built in 1000mah battery for a 2000mah one that costs $5 and is behind 2 screws?

Maybe your controller was different, but my launch controller....after taking the screws out prying the thing apart required considerable force. So much force that I broke the controller.

 

[Krappadizzle]

I hate the battery life too. It's awful, especially compared to the PS3 which had amazing longevity on a single charge. Love the controllers shape, hate just about everything else on it.

 

[Curufinwe]

Yeah unfortunately if you want to be able to use PS4 controllers wirelessly, then you need to own 2 and swap them out.

The "just play plugged in" people are weirdos. Defeats the purpose of a wireless controller.

Kind of. Plugging the controller into a USB adapter that's right next to you is better than having a cord permanently running from the pad to the console.

 

[Riesenfass]

Battery life could definitely be better. I have a charging dock that I keep my controller in while not in use, and have dad responsibilities so I rarely play for more than an hour or two, but its still annoying.

I guess I should know better by now, but wow at the apologists saying to buy another controller or use a cord constantly. Sure, those are solutions right now, but that has nothing to do with redesigning hardware like OP is asking for.