Differences in Battery Life between SIXAXIS/Dual Shock 3?

[Cloud121]

Getting a 20GB PS3 next week along with two SIXAXIS controllers. I'm half tempted to sell the two SIXAXIS' in order to get a Dual Shock 3. However, how is the battery life on the Dual Shock 3? I'd assume it's less than the SIXAXIS if the Rumble is turned on? How about with rumble off? More? Less? About the same?

The reason I'm asking is I turn rumble off on all my wireless controllers in order to extend battery life (Yes, even with my rechargeable 360 battery packs), so just want to see how the SIXAXIS and Dual Shock 3 compare.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Getting a 20GB PS3 next week along with two SIXAXIS controllers. I'm half tempted to sell the two SIXAXIS' in order to get a Dual Shock 3. However, how is the battery life on the Dual Shock 3? I'd assume it's less than the SIXAXIS if the Rumble is turned on? How about with rumble off? More? Less? About the same?

The reason I'm asking is I turn rumble off on all my wireless controllers in order to extend battery life (Yes, even with my rechargeable 360 battery packs), so just want to see how the SIXAXIS and Dual Shock 3 compare.

I'll be picking one up when they arrive at US stores so I'll give you my thoughts on the life once I get one (and need to recharge it). In the meantime here's a quote from the Official Playstation Blog on the subject of battery life:

"It has the same battery as the SIXAXIS wireless controller so any change in battery life will depend on your use of the rumble feature. From what I’ve heard from those who have tested it and from the respondents here on the blog, the change is minimal."

On average, I'd say my Sixaxis controller only needs to be charged once every two or three weeks, so, I'll be expecting to recharge a bit sooner with the Dual Shock 3.

[Leo_A]

I'm confused, if you just are going to be turning the rumble off, why would you do such a thing? With it off, its just a slightly heavier six axis controller.

[BHvrd]

I wish they would make some kinda attachment for existing Sixaxis controllers with a seperate battery. I dunno I guess that isn't possible with the sixaxis calibration and what not but it would be a nice option.

[Cloud121]

I'm confused, if you just are going to be turning the rumble off, why would you do such a thing? With it off, its just a slightly heavier six axis controller.
Perhaps they put an improved battery in the new controller, and if it had the same battery life as a regular SIXAXIS with rumble on, I'd probably play with rumble on, instead of just turning it off by default.

[meancode]

Good luck selling a Sixaxis now! I have had my DualShock 3 since December and its battery life is less but of course its less. I have a USB wall charger and I just stick it on there when it is getting low.

I don't have a scientific answer for you, but I do not feel I am charging it that much more, if at all. But I am perplexed as well. If you are going to turn rumble off, why do you ask how the battery life is? I am pretty sure they did not change the battery in the DS3. If anything, they would have improved the battery life. I do know that the dead zone in the sticks has been improved since the Sixaxis.

[consolecrusader]

I guess it depends on how heavily you play the PS3. At home I think the EGM Magazine had the battery life stats of the Dual Shock...forgot the stats though.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Gone one (silver!) yesterday at the DP Store ... and after charging it up, I did what was probably about an 5 hour play session on Heavenly Sword (with Rumble on of course) and it hasn't dented the first battery life bar.

I'll report back when it needs to be charged.

Also notable that contrary to early reports, other than a MINUSCULE amount of noticeable ... I'm not even going to call it weight, I'll call it "balance" in the handle areas where the rumble motors are, it is NOT heavier than the Sixaxis to any noticeable degree.

[BHvrd]

I gotta admit, it's worth $54.99.

As much as I hate to admit that, it just finally feels more like a playstation now. I like the balance better and the weight feels more right. To bad Gamestop only gives $10 credit on old sixaxis contollers.

Haven't really tested battery life, i'm just stoked to have one.

Yes, $10 ><

[Cinder6]

It's weird--people always say they get a lot more battery life on the Sixaxis than I do. I'm averaging at about 10 hours, for both controllers I own, at full charge. I just picked up a DS3 today. Maybe I'll have better luck with it, or maybe I'll be down to 7 hours :|

I guess it balances out, though. I've honestly gotten over 35 hours on the 360 pad with AA batteries. (I managed to play a few hours of Dead Rising, then all of Blue Dragon, before having to change them on a different game; this was with the factory-supplied batteries.) According to what other people say on message boards, I'm lying, so I guess that means my controller's getting above-average battery life (I leave vibration on).

[Leo_A]

Also notable that contrary to early reports, other than a MINUSCULE amount of noticeable ... I'm not even going to call it weight, I'll call it "balance" in the handle areas where the rumble motors are, it is NOT heavier than the Sixaxis to any noticeable degree.

Wikipedia says it's 40% heavier, though who knows if it's accurate. I notice a difference, but I like the feel of it. The six-axis was too light, and flimsy feeling as a result, in my opinion.

[DeputyMoniker]

I wish they would make some kinda attachment for existing Sixaxis controllers with a seperate battery. I dunno I guess that isn't possible with the sixaxis calibration and what not but it would be a nice option.

I'm sure the Sony exec's had a heated debate over that.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Wikipedia says it's 40% heavier, though who knows if it's accurate. I notice a difference, but I like the feel of it. The six-axis was too light, and flimsy feeling as a result, in my opinion.

40% more of something that weighs less than a pound is pretty tough to feel.

If anybody who buys a Dual Shock 3 holds it in one hand and the Sixaxis in the other, it's really a tough call to feel a difference in weight.

It's not like the difference between picking up a Sixaxis and then picking up a wireless 360 controller.

What IS noticable is more of a front-to-back balance in the entire controller. The rumble motors fill out the internals of the controller the way that shell was initially designed to be filled out. And we're also no longer feeling any gravity from the controller cord on either controller (Sixaxis or Dualshock).

The Sixaxis did feel light in comparison to a Dual Shock 2, but I don't think the Dual Shock 3 feels heavy in comparison to the Sixaxis if that makes sense.

[DeputyMoniker]

The rumble motors fill out the internals of the controller the way that shell was initially designed to be filled out.

The initial design didn't have rumble motors. That is unless you're saying the DS should be considered an original design...in which case the SIXAXIS would be original too.

[DeputyMoniker]

The Sixaxis did feel light in comparison to a Dual Shock 2, but I don't think the Dual Shock 3 feels heavy in comparison to the Sixaxis if that makes sense.
If you're saying that, regardless the weight of the SIXAXIS, the DS controllers aren't heavy then it makes perfect sense and I totally agree. I like to have a little weight to it, it gives me better control of the controller because I don't have to grip it to keep it in place.

[vegi-saurus]

I imported the white DS3 and i notice that the battery life on it is marginally lower compared to the 6. Nothing one should really worry about tbh.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

If you're saying that, regardless the weight of the SIXAXIS, the DS controllers aren't heavy then it makes perfect sense and I totally agree. I like to have a little weight to it, it gives me better control of the controller because I don't have to grip it to keep it in place.

Honestly, regardless of anything I say about the controller, it's all opinion based.

Some people might think it's too light, others might think it's too heavy ... and nobody will really be able to judge for themselves till they actually hold/use one.

At the end of the day, I think it's good all around, good weight, good balance, and it still hasn't dipped below two battery charge lines after a few days of intense use.

[meancode]

it is NOT heavier than the Sixaxis to any noticeable degree.

Are you sure you got a real Dual Shock 3 there? I have had mine since December and I can tell you that it is likely twice as heavy as the SIXAXIS is. It is closer to the weight of the 360 pad with the Chatpad attachment on it.

[Sothy]

I am tempted to read this whole thing but no...

I assume someone mentions that you are getting new rumble controllers to replace the same shit that didnt rumble but disabling the rumble feature to save battery life... I dunno Sometimes I understand people that are in prison for stabbing people in the face.

you know at least in off topic we just have people talking about going in dutch with their friends to share a real doll or to discuss in obsessive detail who they think the newest wresting champion will be as if it was not a predetermined soap opera ballet or even a poll between skim and 2% milk.... kinda makes modern gaming seem like an insane asylum.

[Frankie_Says_Relax]

Are you sure you got a real Dual Shock 3 there? I have had mine since December and I can tell you that it is likely twice as heavy as the SIXAXIS is. It is closer to the weight of the 360 pad with the Chatpad attachment on it.

It's the genuine article.

But, twice as heavy? Absolutely not.

If that's the case with yours I think I should be asking you the same question as to it's legitimacy.

Do you still have a Sixaxis that you can hold in one hand while you hold your Dual Shock 3 in the other?

I'd reccomend doing that if you do. If not, I think you're feeling a more balanced device and psychologically translating that "balance" into "weight".

[meancode]

Well it does feel a lot better than the Sixaxis. Maybe I am still in shock that it doesn't feel like I will snap it in two ;)

[Cinder6]

I actually kind of prefer the weight to the SIXAXIS; maybe it's because I enjoyed holding a controller that I could hardly feel :)

My only annoyance is that the DS3 is not translucent like the SIXAXIS was.