this post was submitted on 15 Nov 2025
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I wish the Steam Controller used AA batteries (lemmy.world)
submitted 1 week ago by camperotactico@lemmy.world to c/linux_gaming@lemmy.world
353 comments fedilink hide all child comments
 

Based on the description on their site, the controller includes a built-in battery: "8.39 Wh Li-ion battery​, 35+ hours of gameplay... "

That was disappointing for me. Specially condidering the Steam Frame's controllers make use of AA batteries: "​One replaceable AA battery per controller, ​ 40hr battery life​"

AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage. All my Xbox360 controllers still work fine, but none of my PS3' Dualshock 3s.

The official docking station could be used to recharge (rechargables) AA batteries so the functionality could remain the same.

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[–] Fmstrat@lemmy.world 2 points 4 days ago

Why? A serviceable Lithium Ion is leaps and bounds better than AA, not to mention it would lead to people using disposable batteries and creating more garbage.

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 23 points 6 days ago (2 children)

I mean I get the reason, but at the same time Li-ion is just so much better compared to NiMH and especially Alkaline. As long as its easy to open up and replace I'm all for internal li-ion batteries.

[–] faintwhenfree@lemmus.org 9 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Yeah the issue is easily replaceable standardized sized battery, if li-ion started doing that, I'd be all in Li-ion band wagon for handheld consumer electronics, till that point I must agree with OP and i would keep demanding Aa batteries and use my niMH cells

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[–] zaki_ft@lemmings.world 2 points 5 days ago (1 children)

If it's not a standard battery design, then being able to replace it doesn't matter as much. It would mean the company can charge excessive fees because their 'custom' battery is the only one that's compatible with their product.

[–] MangoPenguin@lemmy.blahaj.zone 1 points 5 days ago

It very likely might be a standard size, you can buy prismatic and cylindrical cells in tons of sizes.

[–] Lettuceeatlettuce@lemmy.ml 27 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago) (1 children)

I'm alright with this as long as the controller is easy to repair, which Valve has been pretty good about with the Steam Deck.

If swapping batteries is a fast 5-10 minute process I have to do every 5 or so years, and the batteries are widely available and reasonably priced, that's a win in my book.

[–] zaki_ft@lemmings.world 1 points 5 days ago

and the batteries are widely available and reasonably priced

If they're not a standard battery design, then they will not be widely available or reasonably priced.

[–] krasny@lemmy.ml 17 points 6 days ago (2 children)

It could be a 18650 or another lithium standard size and make everybody Happy. Easy to remplace and a bigger life than square sized batteries.

[–] jaxxed@lemmy.world 3 points 5 days ago

I agree. 18650 are a much better starting point standard than AA.

[–] Niquarl@lemmy.ml 4 points 6 days ago

Like brands do with their tools. One battery for all kinds

[–] NightmareQueenJune@lemmy.world 17 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Well, I completely understand your point. I also have rechargable AA batteries laying around, but I see it from this standpoint:

  1. The Steam controller includes this magnetic charging puck, which is a good way to make sure it's always charged.
  2. It will mostly be used more or less stationary, sitting down in front of a PC. So even if the need arises to charge it this shouldn't be a problem in many situations. This is vastly different than with the new VR controllers, because they will be moved around a lot and it's not really realistic to charge them while using them.
  3. Many people still just use disposable batteries. Which is quite frankly just not good. So my best guess is that this connected with point two may be a leading factor for why they did it this way. I think a hybrid option (puck-rechargable battery pack or two AA's) would have been awesome though.
  4. Valve's repair policy was exceptional with the steam deck so I have reasons to believe that the battery for the steam controller will be available for a very reasonable cost. A very interesting question will be for how long.

All in all I understand your point, but it's not a huge issue for me personally.

[–] highball@lemmy.world 8 points 6 days ago

Valve’s repair policy was exceptional with the steam deck so I have reasons to believe that the battery for the steam controller will be available for a very reasonable cost.

Just to piggy back on what you are say, one of the engineers in the LTT video mentioned they want to team up with iFixIt again, just like they did for the Steam Deck. And I saw the back shell off the controller in one of the videos. The batter looks dead simple to replace. It's wild to even imagine that a company in 2025 would be be consumer friendly.

[–] savvywolf@pawb.social 6 points 6 days ago

Just have replaceable Li-ion batteries.

[–] tal@lemmy.today 6 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

Reading these comments, I have to say that a number of users of this community have very strong views on batteries.

Like, I would not have expected as many people to get upset as did in a discussion over batteries.

[–] thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works 9 points 6 days ago (2 children)

In a world where every household has rechargeable AA batteries, absolutely - but until and unless we successfully regulate away disposable batteries this solution (internal battery, easy to replace thanks to Right to Repair) will likely remain the most realistic, environmentally friendly one.

[–] deafboy@lemmy.world 5 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Before you start establishing a working group to assess the impact of creating a commitee to judge the effect of switching to replacable cells, what if...

What if the companies just packed a few universal rechargable cells with their product? I meam the charging circuit is already a part of the design.

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[–] pressanykeynow@lemmy.world 2 points 6 days ago (1 children)

world where every household has rechargeable AA batteries

What do you need AA batteries for? And why do you think the whole world also does?

[–] thatKamGuy@sh.itjust.works 3 points 6 days ago (4 children)

You have missed my point entirely. OP is disappointed that the Steam Controller doesn’t use AAs, while the Steam Frame controllers do.

Easily replaceable, rechargeable batteries are the best solution we as a society currently have for electronic devices. We can’t force people to not use disposables - so internals like that on the Steam Controller is the best-fit solution currently.

As an aside, we currently have ~20 or so AA Eneloops in circulation in our household currently, from TV and AC remotes, to children’s toys, to IOT devices.

[–] pressanykeynow@lemmy.world 2 points 5 days ago

You are right. Thank you for replying.

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[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I don't want to have to pay a subscription for physical disposable fuel pods for my controller, and it would be really nice if plugging it in cut down on input delay.

[–] zaki_ft@lemmings.world 1 points 5 days ago (1 children)

You should be using rechargeable batteries.

Instead, you're supporting planned obsolescence.

[–] _stranger_@lemmy.world 1 points 5 days ago

I do. They're built in to the controller.

[–] zaki_ft@lemmings.world 3 points 5 days ago

Warms me heart to see the next generation of idiots supporting planned obsolescence.

[–] Nibodhika@lemmy.world 6 points 6 days ago (1 children)

I have mixed feelings about this. On the one hand I like the idea of AA because if the controller dies mid-session you can just swap them and keep playing, on the other this is easily solvable by having a dock like the 8BitDo Ultimate, which makes it so that the controller is always fully charged when you pick it up, so the only advantage that the AA had disappears, and it's even more comfortable to have the controller always charged than having to get up in the middle of the play session to find new batteries. And the Steam controller has a charging puck, so it should never have the issue where AA are better. So my feeling that it would be better is not justified.

The other supposed advantage is longevity, since all batteries eventually die off, if it's an external battery you just buy new ones and are done. Being internal makes it more of a hassle. But Valve has been very open with the repaiedness of their devices, so I expect this to not be a big issue, as long as the batteries are still being manufactured by the time the one in the controller dies off (which should take a lot more time to happen than regular AA).

[–] I_Has_A_Hat@lemmy.world 4 points 6 days ago (1 children)

Literally every wireless controller I have ever owned that used rechargable batteries could be plugged in while I was using it if it started to die. I would bet that 99% of wireless controller users have a power outlet at least somewhere near where they sit to game.

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[–] WhyJiffie@sh.itjust.works 2 points 6 days ago

AA Batteries might not be as convenient to use, but being able to replace them is a great advantage

it could still have a charging port so it doesn't need to be any inconvenient

[–] lorty@lemmy.ml 1 points 5 days ago

No, AAs are crap. Charge your stuff when you go to sleep and you'll never have problems.

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