ⓘ Sony, Canva AI
Variation of DualSense PS5 controller shown
Sony has refused to tackle stick drift, but there are reasons for hope. A new patent showcases a DualSense successor with magnetic sensors to improve accuracy and reliability. Gamers could see a PS6 controller that offers the same benefits as existing Hall effect or TMR models.
Dedicated gamers continue to wait for Microsoft and Sony to address stick drift. Like its Xbox rival, the potentiometers in DualSense PS5 controllers can gradually degrade, leading to inaccurate inputs. However, a new Sony patent describes a potential PS6-era solution with TMR-inspired magnetic sensors.
How the PlayStation controller would work
Discovered by Cheat Happens, “Operating Stick and Assembly and Input Device” appeared on July 2nd. The concept aims to boost the accuracy and durability of joysticks. The possible PS6 controller would utilize a design that “senses tilting of the operating stick in a noncontact manner.” Consequently, “movement of the operating stick can be detected with high precision even under prolonged use.”
With “engaging protrusions” that slot into grooves, the analog sticks can avoid the stick drift that plagues the DualSense. When a gamer moves the component, the “force is prevented from being consumed by the rotation of the operating stick, and as a result, operability of the operating stick can be improved.”
To ensure consistent inputs, the peripheral relies on a spring-based system to return the stick to a center position. A cylindrical biasing structure also stabilizes the magnetic field around the sensor to further enhance precision.
Sony is playing catchup
Although the Sony patent tweaks existing ideas, competitors already have minimized stick drift. While more common with Xbox gear than PS5 controllers, affordable Hall effect or TMR-based alternatives have multiplied. Yet, even the pricey first-party DualSense Edge has suffered from reliability issues.
Critics claim that Microsoft, Sony, and Nintendo would rather buyers have to purchase new accessories regularly. Yet, given the popularity of magnetic sensors, a PS6 controller may finally embrace TMR. Whether or not it would ship with the console or sell as a pro-level upgrade is unclear.
There is also a chance that the concept never becomes a reality. PlayStation controller patents often include ideas that may prove impractical. One of the more recent filings introduces a modular option with a touchscreen display.
Adam Corsetti – Tech Writer – 1438 articles published on Notebookcheck since 2025
I became interested in technology at a young age and enjoyed discovering the latest innovations. While earning college degrees in publishing, I created several PC hardware and gaming websites. My passion has always been to guide readers on what products can truly improve their lives. After many years as a Tech Writer for Game Rant, I’m anxious to share my knowledge with a new audience at Notebookcheck.