I used to think Xbox controllers felt cheap because of the battery compartment and AA batteries.
After getting the Elite Series 2 controller and PS5 for that matter, I noticed that they are virtually sealed. There's no easy way to access the battery at all now. So in 10 years, I guess I just have to toss my $200 controller since there's basically no easy way to open the controller?
Now, I think the battery compartment is a great idea and the controller should just come with a removable lithium battery. I ultimately went with the Xbox Series X controller and a Play N Charge Kit battery. You basically get the best of both worlds and once the lithium battery starts wearing down, you simply swap it out for another.