On December 12, 2019, at The Game Awards, Microsoft revealed the Xbox Series X. The new console featured a solid-state drive for faster loading times, but its controller still required AA batteries, a choice that surprised gamers since rivals like Sony and Nintendo had shifted to internal rechargeable batteries. Microsoft has used AA batteries in standard Xbox controllers since the Xbox 360 era, maintaining the practice even as the industry shifted.
The company frames the decision as intentional consumer choice rather than a limitation, citing flexibility as the primary benefit. Gamers remain divided on the issue, with a 2020 Digital Foundry discussion splitting roughly 50/50 on the topic. Microsoft offers a separate rechargeable battery pack for $24.99, allowing users to choose between disposable AAs and reusable options.
This gives Xbox players more versatility than Sony or Nintendo users, who rely solely on internal batteries that, if failed, require purchasing a new controller. Duracell claims a longstanding partnership with Xbox, though Microsoft denies specific deals, stating they simply offer consumers battery solution options. The debate continues as a hot-button topic, with some gamers prefering the quick swap of fresh batteries over charging cables, while others favor the convenience of always-topped-off rechargeable packs.
Source: Engadget · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing