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.
Yeah, but battery replacements, spare parts, and repair tutorials will all likely be provided by iFixit, same as the Steam Deck or (formerly) Index, and even if the battery goes out of production I’m certain a third party can manufacture a similar spec at the same form factor.
Yeah, but NiMH AA battery replacements are sold for 5€ a pack at my local grocery store and will never go out of production.
Great, you can swap those in half an hour. AAs can be swapped in 10 seconds.
Swappability is not a matter of the exact size and shape, but how many screws are needed to access it etc.
Did you see a battery door on the Steam controller?
In your imagined world where the steam controller has AA batteries, the difference you’re taking about is the battery door, not the battery firm factor.
The difference in my hypothetical world is time. Pretty much all lithium batteries are not quickly swappable.
And the other difference is I already have a drawer full of rechargeable AAs. It’s a standard size thats readily available for purchase from 1000 different places and likely will be indefinitely and I can use the same ones in a dozen different devices.
I’m talking about the actual physical object and its characteristics. The part that affects time taken is the access to the battery, not the battery form factor.
It’ll take all of two minutes to swap the battery, chill out.
I don’t think you understand. This is something I do every few days. Swapping my AA batteries takes 10 seconds.
When Steam drops a battery door I’ll be less concerned. But they didn’t. And they won’t. And maybe someone else will make and sell them but then I’ll have to spend extra money to buy it.
I don’t know why you think I’m not “chill”?
Ok, and you’ll only have to swap this battery out after a couple of years, so what’s the problem?
Glad we’re agreed it’s about the access, not the battery itself.