New PlayStation Patent Could Let You Put Controller Buttons Where You Want.
Sony has received a new US patent for a PlayStation controller that mostly uses a touchscreen instead of physical buttons.
Sony has patented a fully touchscreen PlayStation controller concept
The design replaces traditional buttons with a touch based interface pic.twitter.com/fb8Ogc8mxW
— CharlieIntel (@charlieINTEL) February 2, 2026
This controller would let players place and resize on-screen buttons anywhere on its surface, so they can set up the controls in a way that feels most comfortable for them. The patent suggests this could help with different hand sizes, accessibility needs, and different game types, because the layout would not be fixed like current controllers.
The touchscreen would replace the usual D-pad, face buttons, and possibly even thumbsticks, turning them into virtual buttons that you can move around. For example, a player could create one big jump button for a platform game, or make the D-pad larger and remove other buttons for a simpler setup. The patent says normal controllers follow a similar pattern, with a D-pad on one side and buttons on the other, and this cannot easily change. Sony argues this fixed style may be too big, too small, or uncomfortable for many users, and there often is not enough space to place every control where players would like.
To make a full-touch controller work, Sony’s design includes a pressure sensor and a heat sensor under the surface.These features would help the device understand the difference between a finger that is only resting on the controller and a finger that is actually pressing a virtual button. This would help reduce accidental presses while playing games. Other reports also suggest that the controller may support simple gestures like tapping, swiping, and long pressing, similar to how people use touch screens on smartphones.The system might be able to save different layouts, recognise who is holding the controller, and automatically load that person’s preferred setup.
However, this is only a patent, not a product announcement, so there is no promise that this controller will definitely be sold. Many patents never turn into real devices, and Sony may simply be exploring ideas for the future. If a touchscreen controller like this does release, experts think it would probably be an optional extra for a future PlayStation, such as the PS6, rather than replacing the regular DualSense-style pad that comes in the box.
Public reaction on Twitter to the patent announcement has been mostly skeptical rather than excited.
A user said that they prefer physical buttons because the feel of real inputs matters for gaming, and they worry a touchscreen controller would lose that tactile feedback.
I’ll be honest, not my thing. I don’t game on my iPad or phone because I prefer actual buttons so I can feel the inputs. But cool to see them trying something different
— RM (@rxmayorga90) February 2, 2026
Another one is not completely against the idea but doubt whether it would be as responsive and reliable as Sony’s current controllers, suggesting that touch-based controls may struggle to match the precision gamers expect and it also may not provide that feel of the manual one .
Honestly I don't care as long as it's responsive and works just as well as their normal controllers. Something tells me it won't, though.
— Shane Donovan (@SDDonovan) February 2, 2026
Most of the reactions are more strongly negative, comparing the concept to mobile gaming, which they already dislike, and arguing that turning a controller into a touchscreen would bring the same problems—less comfort and poorer control.
Gaming on a mobile phone sucks this is the same thing in controller form get it away from us
— Double_Dip (@DoubleDip88) February 2, 2026
