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| Concept for PS6 controller with touch controls |
While whispers about the PlayStation 6’s internal specs have been swirling for months, a potentially more radical change is hiding in plain sight—in the form of a recent Sony patent. Discovered by the known leaker xleaks7 and detailed by Sudoku Online Pro, the filing paints a picture of a revolutionary, buttonless DualSense controller for a future console, presumably the PS6.
As with all patent filings, it’s crucial to remember this is an exploration of an idea, not a product announcement. The document, published on January 27th, may never materialize on store shelves. However, it signals that Sony’s engineers are actively reimagining the very fundamentals of how we interact with games.
The Patent: An Evolving Touch-Surface Controller
The core idea is a departure from everything we know. Gone are the familiar physical face buttons, D-pad, and analog sticks. In their place, the controller would feature a fully adaptive touch-sensitive surface.
The patent argues that most modern controller designs are static and cannot flex to accommodate the vast diversity of hand sizes and grip styles. A seamless touch interface, it suggests, could offer a more universally comfortable experience. The controller would function similarly to touch controls on mobile games, but with a crucial upgrade: intelligence.
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| Illustration from Sony patent for potential PS6 controller showing a player's grip |
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| Illustration from Sony patent for potential PS6 controller showing virtual layout |
According to the documentation reviewed by Sudoku Online Pro, the surface would use "anchors" to detect the position of a player's fingers and palms. This would allow the control layout—the virtual location of buttons and sticks—to dynamically shift and adapt in real-time to the player's grip. Furthermore, it would support multi-touch gestures like swiping and pinching, building upon the trackpad functionality already present in the PS5's DualSense.
How Would Gamers React? Skepticism is Expected
The concept is undoubtedly innovative, but the gaming community’s reaction online has been predictably skeptical. The primary concern is the loss of tactile feedback. Even with advanced haptic systems, many players crave the physical confirmation of a button press or the resistance of an analog stick. The rise of high-end, customizable "pro" controllers—like the Victrix Pro BFG with its adjustable components—highlights a market moving toward more physical control, not less.
Industry observers suggest a middle ground is more likely. Sony could integrate a vastly enhanced and larger touchpad into a more traditional controller layout for the PS6, offering both worlds. Alternatively, this buttonless design could emerge as a specialized accessibility accessory, offering a new way to play for those who find conventional controllers challenging.
Beyond Buttons: Sony’s Other Radical Experiments
This isn’t the only surprising controller concept Sony is exploring. Another patent from November 2025 proposes a hydraulic feedback system. Instead of using voice-coil actuators for rumble, this design would feature liquid-filled compartments. Pressing a button would change the hydraulic pressure, potentially creating more nuanced and realistic sensations. While intriguing, such a system would face significant engineering hurdles, including the daunting risk of leaks.
The Bottom Line
The buttonless PS6 controller patent is a fascinating glimpse into Sony’s long-term R&D. It may not be the standard pack-in accessory for the next generation, but it demonstrates a clear ambition to push interface design forward. Whether through adaptive touch, hydraulic feedback, or a blend of new and old, the PlayStation controller is evidently in for a significant evolution.
Sources: xleaks7 X account, Sudoku Online Pro, Sony patent (USPTO publication number provided in Sudoku Online Pro's analysis: https://sudoku-online.pro/pdfs/buttonless-sony-ps6-controller.pdf).