“Xbox controllers continue to use AA batteries due to ‘constant agreement’ with Duracell,” Stealth Optionalsay heading reading. The headline focuses on the recent interview with Duracell’s UK marketing manager, Luke Anderson, who told Stealth Optional that there ‘always’ been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox … It’s a constant agreement that Duracell and Microsoft have in place. ‘
After this interview was published, several outlets quoted the article and theorized that this may be the reason why Microsoft continues to use AA batteries to power some of its wireless game controllers.
It is not true. “We deliberately offer the choice of consumers in their battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers,” a Microsoft spokesman said. Eurogamer as a reason why its standard wireless Xbox controllers still use AA batteries instead of building a battery in the controller.
“This includes the use of AA brands of any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, our partners’ charging solutions, or a USB-C cable, which the controller can power when connected to the console or computer.”
Of course, this is not the first time that Microsoft has mentioned its decision to keep AA batteries in some of its wireless controllers. Talk to Digital foundry in April, Jason Partner, program management director Jason Ronald, explained that a ‘large number of Xbox owners’ still prefer to use batteries. Microsoft even told The edge in 2018 is the confidence of the standard controllers on batteries because the company likes to offer a choice to its player base.
I do not mind using AA batteries in these controllers; I understand the confusion some may have about why Microsoft relies on batteries in its controllers when its competitors have turned to built-in batteries that charge with cables. It is certainly not the most environmentally friendly option, but it provides a happy medium for those who still prefer batteries, but also those who prefer to use a rechargeable battery instead.