Sony has developed the DualSense Controller PS5 has created a milestone in gaming immersion - at least on paper. Adaptive triggers, haptic feedback, a modern design: all this suggests premium quality. But in everyday use, a different picture emerges that is driving more and more users to despair.
In recent months, there have been an increasing number of reports about defective controllers that are delivered with considerable problems even when new. Stick drift, sticking buttons and clicking noises are just some of the complaints that are regularly posted on forums such as Reddit appear. One user currently writes:
"I just bought a PS5 controller and it was super creaky, so I returned it. The next one drifts right out of the damn box. Why are these controllers so shitty if they're supposed to be top of the line?"
Another adds:
"Bought a beautiful purple DualSense last month during the Black Friday sale, and of course the X button stuck after exactly one day. This is simply unacceptable!"
Downgrades for cost reasons?
The complaints are not limited to individual cases, but indicate a structural problem. Experts and hobbyists have now carried out teardowns that paint a sobering picture. A exciting TikTok video shows, for example, how Sony has made savings on the adaptive triggers by using cheaper materials or cutting back on them. The result: a potentially shorter service life.
These cost-cutting measures are at odds with Sony's claim to offer a premium product. After all, the DualSense controller is not only an integral part of the PS5 experience, but also one of the most expensive standard controllers ever developed.
The community sounds the alarm
Understandably, there is increasing frustration in the online forums and many users miss the high quality standards at the current prices. There are no exact figures on faulty controllers ex works, but the problem has been proven to exist.
"Stick drift with DualSense is a real problem. Those who haven't experienced it are either lucky or don't play games where you have to press L3/R3 more often," writes one user.
Others report advice with customer service, which often recommends sending defective controllers back. However, the problems with the hardware raise a fundamental question: Is Sony sacrificing quality for innovation that only shines on paper? While the DualSense undoubtedly offers technical highlights, increasingly fun measures could come at the expense of quality and durability.
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