Sony patents PlayStation controller that you can charge by leaving in sunlight

The patented PlayStation controller could finally make gamers go outside.

Mar 20, 2025 - 13:47

Sony patents PlayStation controller that you can charge by leaving in sunlight

A recently published patent seems to show a solar powered DualSense Wireless Controller
This could help address one of the controller's biggest flaws, its battery life
As a patent, it's far from a guarantee of a new product, however

In the future PlayStation gamers might finally have a reason to go outside, at least if this new Sony patent is anything to go by.

As discovered by enthusiast blog Tech4gamers, a recently published patent from Sony breaks down what appears to be a solar powered DualSense Wireless Controller for PlayStation 5.

The patent, parts of which we have machine translated, describes a controller that houses photovoltaic systems. These, according to the patent, would be capable of generating electricity without the need for any kind of external battery or charger.

In theory a constant stream of solar power, stored within the controller's battery, would help prevent the controller from running dry when you want to play. This could address one of the biggest problems with the DualSense Wireless Controller, its abysmal battery life.

A new line of solar powered DualSense controllers would be welcome, though you should bear in mind that it is far from a concrete certainty at this stage. Large companies like Sony file patents for new ideas all the time and many don't end up being used in any products.

Elsewhere in the patent world, Nintendo recently updated a patent that seems to relate to an AI upscaling solution for Nintendo Switch 2. This might allow older titles to be played with cleaner image quality on the upcoming hybrid console.