Non replacable batteries for controllers.

**OKlondon** · 10-19-2006

The title says it all, heres the source:

Thursday 19 October 2006
PlayStation 3's wireless SixAxis pad will not come with a replaceable battery, Sony has confirmed.

This means that, unlike Xbox 360 controllers which feature removable battery packs, SixAxis pads that reach the end of their chargeable lifetime will become effectively useless as wireless controllers - although you should still be able to play with them by using the USB cable.

You can expect to pay at least as much for a PS3 pad as you do right now for a PS2 one and, although each wireless joypad will more than likely handle over a 1,000 charges - like most traditional rechargeable batteries - should your controller develop a charge problem then you'll be forced to shell out for a whole new one. Hopefully Sony will offer at least a year's warrantee on each pad, though.

Above: Sony says its SixAxis controller will manage 30 hours of life for each two-and-a-half-hour charge

Of course, like iPods which also have no removable battery packs, we imagine third-party replacement batteries will spring up. Although, as anyone who's ever wrecked their MP3 player by trying to replace the battery themselves will tell you, it's no easy task.

Should Sony offer a battery replacement service? We think so, but what about you? Why not hit the forums and unleash your opinion?

Link: http://www.gamesradar.com/gb/ps3/gam...14132311609002

Theres a question in the quote: "Should Sony offer a battery replacement service?"

I dont think so, seeing as you can plug in the controller with usb. For me its not a big deal.

**Zoibie** · 10-19-2006

I think so. You shouldn't have to buy a new one because the battery runs out. Its pointless

**Hypx** · 10-19-2006

So that's 30,000 hours of gameplay, or ~3.42 years of continuous nonstop gameplay. I doubt many will worry about it.

**PaiPaiMaster** · 10-19-2006

More negative press about things which shouldn't matter.

The DS doesn't have a replaceable battery. We should all not buy Nintendo DSes because the rechargeable battery in the Nintendo DS could wear out eventually, making them completely useless.

**HellsJester** · 10-19-2006

As soon as i heard PS3 controllers were going to have rechargable inner battery months ago maybe even last year i heard it i figured out once the battery dies you will have to buy a new controller so nothing new to me.

**Keesie** · 10-19-2006

This has already been posted:
http://www.ps3forums.com/showthread.php?t=33837

Please do a search before posting.

EDIT: Sorry, I didn't notice this was a confirmation at first.

**OKlondon** · 10-19-2006

The battery finishing will take a long time, you buy an Ipod not thinking that the battery will die completely. A battery dying completely is not something you see often.

Great been posted, didnt see it sorry.

**SolO_Al** · 10-19-2006

Originally Posted by OKlondon

Theres a question in the quote: "Should Sony offer a battery replacement service?"

I dont think so, seeing as you can plug in the controller with usb. For me its not a big deal.

how come it is not a big deal... do you know how long the usb cable will be???
personally i think it will not be too long.. because it is main function is to RECHARGE.
plus the wireless freedom is going to be a must in next gen .

**BGRooDoG** · 10-19-2006

Seeing that Lithium Batteries are good for 400-500 charges, and Im sure the battery life for the PS3 Controller will be pretty good. Changing your Controller every 2-3 years isnt that bad. Hell, people have to replace entire iPods when the battery is dead.

**shaka** · 10-19-2006

I dont see any problem with that.

**Graham** · 10-19-2006

I don't think the battery life will every be an issue for the majority of people, and if/when it does die completely...buy a new pad!

It aint' difficult, and it certainly won't be as expensive to replace a pad compared to launch prices.

**ttech10** · 10-19-2006

My PS2 controllers don't even last 3 years... so the battery isn't that big of a problem.

**ren_of_heavenz** · 10-19-2006

The question is how long will the wireless ps3 controller last,say if i use it 25-30 hours a week on an average?2 or 3 years?

**NYJET626** · 10-19-2006

I sometimes press too hard and break the buttons, I went through atleast 10 contollers, luckily I somehow got most of them for free. I also traded in all the broken one at the sametime I traded in my broken PS2. Not a bad deal considering I got full value from EBgames.
We will land up breaking the contollers before the battery dies.

**Riskbreaker** · 10-19-2006

after 1,000 charges. lithium ion batteries only lose 20% of their maximum capacity. so in about 3-5 years, depending on how much you play, the charge in your controller will last 20% shorter than it does on day one.

however, i do agree about the warranty with all the battery trouble going on lately

Aleman · 10-19-2006

That's one of the reasons I hate iPods. After about two years their batteries either crap out or don't hold a full charge/the charge dies out fast.

Hopefully these batteries work well.

**turkmen117** · 10-19-2006

seriously if its going to last up to 30000 hours then its great. You dont have to worry about buying a new controller trust me

30000 hours is 1250 days, that makes 1250 with non-stop gaming
24h/day for 1250 days
12h/day for 2500 days
8h/day for 3750 days

3750 days is more than 10 YEARS, if your controller can last up to 10 years (that is if you play 8 hours a day or less) then you have nothing to worry about, you should be happy that it saves you the trouble to change battery packs

NOTE: that is ofcourse if the batteries works well and not die out on you

**OKlondon** · 10-19-2006

You ll break a controller before the battery dies.

**RDK** · 10-19-2006

This is bad ...

Dont forget cause DELL !!!

**planesbh** · 10-19-2006

30 hours and 500 recharges gives you 15.000 hours.

If I play 5 hours/day (what I don't, I don't have such free time) in one year I will play " only" 1825 hours. To me this battery will be used all the PS3 cycle, I don't see any problem.

**kermlax** · 10-19-2006

at first i was disappointed but seein how long the batterys last its not a big deal...as long as somethin doesnt happen to the battery (faulty battery or somethin)..it will be fine...althought making it replaceable would of been nice. But since i still hvae my ps2 controller from when i bought my ps2 i think ill be fine..(i got my ps2 in 2001). U just have to take care of your **** and rememeber its not invincible...

and besides imo i think the price of the controller is a steal ...what is it 40 bucks or somethin....bluetooth wireless and sixaxis..i definitly thought they'd be more

**bad_calvin** · 10-19-2006

That is what a sodering iron is for. Rip that bad battery out and put another one in. If all else fails. Don't use it wirelessly anymore. I don't really think this is a big deal. People just wanting to make news.

**aylk** · 10-19-2006

Originally Posted by PaiPaiMaster

More negative press about things which shouldn't matter.

The DS doesn't have a replaceable battery. We should all not buy Nintendo DSes because the rechargeable battery in the Nintendo DS could wear out eventually, making them completely useless.

The DS has a repleaceable battery.

My controller will be broken or damaged (or replaced with a third party controller) before its battery dies. No worries.

**NumberoneRB** · 10-19-2006

Why are people still overreacting? The problem is more-so that there aren't enough people educated on lithium-ion batteries, so people seem to be panicking. As stated numerous times (and if you do some research on these particular batteries), it can take over (or up to) 1,000 separate recharge cycles before it loses ANY type of battery life. Once the recharge cycles get up to around the 1,000 mark, the battery loses 20% of its total battery life, YOU STILL HAVE 80% TOTAL LIFE PEOPLE. After 3+ years of NON-STOP playing, you'll still have 80% of the total battery life. So instead of about 30 hours of total life before the 1,000 recharges, you'll have approx. 24 hours of total life after the fact. These batteries should last more than enough time without ever having to replace them (unless there's a defect). Does anyone think that Sony would have decided to have the battery built in if they thought 2-3 years down the road you'd have to replace the controller a couple times (minus defect)? They could have easily went the more cautious route and had a detachable battery pack.