Microsoft and Duracell disagree on why Xbox controllers still use AA batteries



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A long-term partnership between Microsoft and Duracell may be why the new Xbox Series X / S controllers continue to use AA batteries.

An interview between Stealth Optional and Duracell UK Marketing Manager Luke Anderson has fueled speculation behind the real reasons Microsoft uses AA batteries to power its Xbox controllers.

Duracell UK Marketing Director Luke Anderson revealed in an interview with Stealth Optional that Duracell has a deal with Xbox to supply its battery product for next-gen console controllers. Anderson revealed the deal, saying “[The deal is] for the OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox consoles and also the battery for the controllers. “He went on to say that the deal has been in place for a while and that he thinks” it has to work for a while. [more]. “According to Anderson, Xbox’s partnership with Duracell is the main reason the new Xbox Series X / S uses AA batteries to power its controllers, as opposed to the USB charging ports that PlayStation 5 controllers use.

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The cooperation of Duracell and Microsoft appears to exist in some capacity, based on Duracell tweets regularly on the use of Duracell batteries in Xbox controllers, as well as a promotion that allows buyers of Duracell Optimum, extra-powered batteries, to receive two free weeks of Xbox Game Pass. However, Microsoft has argued that its long-standing deal with Duracell does not force the Xbox creator to use batteries instead of rechargeable packs in its controllers. A 2020 interview with Jason Ronald, Xbox’s director of project management, has resurfaced, in which Ronald says there is a group of Xbox gamers who prefer AA batteries and that Xbox chose to allow flexibility by giving its players a choice. .

Microsoft recently reconfirmed that its decision was on player choice, in response to the Stealth Optional interview. A spokesperson for the Xbox producer said: “We intentionally offer consumers options in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox wireless controllers. This includes the use of any brand AA batteries, the Xbox rechargeable battery, charging solutions from our partners or a USB -C cable, which can power the controller when connected to the console or PC. “

The representatives were unwilling to discuss the details of any agreement between the two companies. So it’s unclear whether Microsoft’s deal with Duracell requires its Xbox controllers to use AA batteries as the power source by default.

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Fonts: Stealth Optional, Eurogamer, Twitter

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