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.
AA batteries are horrible for the environment if something goes wrong during the disposal process (e.g. you accidentally throw them in the trash). Also it’s yet another thing you have to buy like weekly if you’re going to use the thing. A rechargeable cell that is easy to replace is the perfect sweetspot, and from the videos I’ve seen of the controller it will be very easy to replace the bat. Just unscrew some screws, unplug the battery, plug a new one back in, screw some screws back in (optional). You’ll only have to do this once every 5 years or so if the BMS is good. You’ll be able to get a new bat from AliExpress for very cheap, probably like $10-20 or something, way way cheaper than getting new AAs for those entire 5 years.
I really don’t understand why everyone is speaking like rechargeable AAs don’t exist…
Because they are more expensive and much less convenient than an integrated pouch-style battery in the device.
Until it dies
And you have to (gasp) order a bat from AliExpress for $10, take out 9 screws, and plop it in there, just once every 5 years or so? Yeah, how inconvenient and expensive, compared to buying your own batteries before you can even use a thing, a separate charger, and taking the batteries out every time you want to charge them, which is like weekly.
Well, I am sure waiting up to months for the Aliexpress battery to arrive is not inconvinient at all.
And good luck hoping the battery you bought is genuinely new and not just an old one “refurbished”.
The point of rechargable AA batteries is that it is a standard. You can interchange them with other devices and use a single charger.
Last time I ordered a phone battery from AliExpress I got it in two weeks flat. If you notice that your battery doesn’t hold as long, just order a new one, it will arrive long before the device dies. There are also local battery shops, but they will charge a premium for quicker delivery.
Doing this once every few years is nothing compared to the hassle of taking out the batteries every time you want to charge them.
So you expect for someone to have 2 controllers? With AA batteries I can just slide the cover swap them and continue playing, with this? well you can do jack shit