Skip to main content

Sony unveils new PS5 VR controllers featuring haptic feedback, adaptive triggers

Sony revealed a new set of PS5 controllers that will be compatible with its next-generation of PSVR. The controllers share many features with Sony’s DualSense, including haptic feedback and adaptive triggers.

Sony recently announced that it’s working on a next-gen follow-up to its popular PSVR headset. Back when it was first announced, the company mentioned that it was working on a new set of controllers for the system that would replace the PlayStation Move remotes. The new controllers are a departure from the Wiimote-esque design and more closely resemble the Oculus’ Touch controllers.

 

Other than the new look, the biggest change is that the controllers feature two of the DualSense’s defining features. Adaptive triggers will add more tension when players press the buttons on the back of the controller, while haptic feedback provides a more detailed rumble.

Recommended Videos

Sony mentions that the new controller takes a new approach to tracking. “The VR controller is tracked by the new VR headset through a tracking ring across the bottom of the controller,” reads the blog post. Previously the PS Move controllers were tracked by a camera that players would need to place on their TV.

Please enable Javascript to view this content

The controllers feature finger touch detection, with Sony saying that the controller “can detect your fingers without any pressing in the areas where you place your thumb, index, or middle fingers.”

As for layout, all of the regular buttons one expects from a PlayStation controller are present, minus a D-pad. Each controller features a joystick, two face buttons, a bumper, and a trigger.

Sony’s PSVR follow-up is currently in development with no release date. The company tells players not to expect it this year.

Giovanni Colantonio
As Digital Trends' Senior Gaming Editor, Giovanni Colantonio oversees all things video games at Digital Trends. As a veteran…
PS5 vs. Xbox Series S
ps5 vs xbox series s release date 710x400

Between the regular PlayStation 5, PS5 Pro, Xbox Series X, and Xbox Series S, buying a current-gen console is not as simple as it once was. However, you do need to make the right choice if you want to play the best PS5 games or best Xbox Series games, which is the most important factor in a gaming machine. Sure, many games are now cross-platform, but not all of them. We compared the PS5 to the Xbox Series X already, but what about the S? Let's pit Sony's console against the smaller Xbox and see which one is worth it for you.
PlayStation 5 vs. Xbox Series S: specs
Right off the bat, we need to point out that the PS5 and Xbox Series S are aimed toward slightly different audiences, and their specs do differ a considerable amount. The PS5 is aimed toward a "premium" audience looking for high-end visuals and performance, while the Series S is presented as more of an affordable option to get as many players on board as possible. You'll notice the PS5 is a more powerful system in many ways than the Series S, but that doesn't necessarily mean deciding between the two is easy. When it comes to specs, both offer custom SSDs (solid-state drives), meaning games and apps will load incredibly fast. This is a huge upgrade from the current generation's HDDs (hard disk drives), which are starting to show their age as games become much larger in scope.

The main difference between the two on the surface is that the Series S lacks a disc drive, while the standard PS5 will accept 4K UHD Blu-Ray discs. This could be a major factor for some, especially those with less reliable internet connections. The standard PS5 will cost more than the Xbox Series S, and a lower price point could prove to be the most enticing factor when choosing one over the other.

Read more
PS5 restock update: Where you can buy a PS5 right now
PS5 and DualSense art.

When the PlayStation 5 first launched back in November 2020, it was nearly impossible to get your hands on the highly anticipated console. Despite demand being through the roof, chip shortages heavily cut production -- and due to sustained consumer interest, it was a problem that plagued the PS5 for years after launch.

Thankfully, we're happy to report that those issues have largely been resolved, making it pretty easy to grab a PS5 these days. The launch of the PS5 Pro has ignited another buying frenzy, and with Black Friday coming up, Sony has even cut the price of the base PS5.

Read more
Quiz: Can you tell the difference between these PS5 and PS5 Pro screenshots?
A PS5 Pro that's floating in front of a gray background. It's turned to the side.

Ever since the PlayStation 5 Pro was first revealed, I've seen a common refrain from some skeptics: "I don't see a difference!"

I was in the same boat when Mark Cerny introduced the console in a YouTube video back in September. A compressed YouTube stream just isn't the best way to communicate a console that both increases resolution and frame rate. I only started to see just how different the PS5 Pro looks compared to the base model once I could see them side by side in my own home. It took me some time -- and a lot of eye straining -- to spot some of the finer details outside of its more obvious AI-upscaling benefits, but I was able to see them eventually. The PS5 Pro does improve image quality, but is the bump enough to justify a $700 purchase?

Read more