UPDATE 8/27/24: Sony now gives you the ability to tweak the "exclusive" controller settings like you could only do on the PS5 console via. a new PC app called 'PlayStation Accessories'. It replaces the firmware update checker they originally had with this revamped program. It comes with all the same customizable settings from PS5, same firmware checker, battery indicator, & the deadzone tweaks/stick curve options/button remapper/custom profiles. Big win for the PC only crowd or for people like me who wanted to do that customization on another platform too. I've only had this for a week, but I know my mind has been made up instantly. I'd like to describe this $200 product in full detail from someone who isn't big on the normal DualSense controller. No, I can't justify the price to the average person wondering if "its worth it" because this controller is clearly tailored to a certain audience. An audience where, outside of competitive gaming or having a part/full time career in the gaming industry, that heavily plays various games & wants the best possible exp. of playing it with an optimal input device. It's a 'stupid buy' item if this is just your hobby, something you can't logically justify purchasing other than 'I really want it' & you know I'd help with your setup. I've used every version of a PlayStation controller since the PS1 days in the late 90s. Every portable PS system. I've become accustomed to many different brands of controllers along with it from Microsoft, Nintendo, third party, etc. My personal favorite controllers are the DualShock 4 PS4 & the Xbox 360/Xbox One/Series/whatever the next Xbox thing will be probably. :) The DualSense should have always been a perfect hybrid between the size of the Xbox chasse & the PlayStation button scheme for me, but in all honesty, it's incredibly uncomfortable to use in my medium sized hands. The same joysticks of the DS4/PS4 feel miniature in the DualSense, my thumbs never center into the groove & ends up pressing into the hard edges of the thumbstick hitting the nerves of my thumb when needing to click into it, which also simultaneously strains my hands from the wide edges of the controller. Almost bulky to hold after long sessions with it. The grip is so artificial/scratchy feeling in the palms, constantly having to readjust my hand placements to use the sticks, the adaptive triggers, the ultra centered front faceplate that is so flattened in the middle of the wide chasse the DualSense casing provides. Doing hand stretches after an hr. or two just to keep using it. The DualSense Edge is the exact same controller design [the black buttons/side stripes are a nice touch to me], & size albeit slightly heavier in weight which you can feel. However, that slightly heavier weight in the hands [believe it or not], the options for the old school domed thumbsticks from the Dualshock 1-3 days [Two different sizes: normal, 'slightly' higher], the two versions of back paddles [flat curved, disc shaped], the thicker more authentic gripping on the back of the chasse, trigger stop options for L2/R2 [3 settings], the ability to tweak & reprogram stick sensitivity curve/deadzone on the PS5 UI itself, have all combined together to make the controller in my hands infinity more comfortable & usable. My hand now rests more naturally using the two domed sticks [left is normal size/right is higher size] so my thumbs are elevated, trigger stops in the middle setting to not strain the hand pulling all the way down [have to disable for adaptive triggers], the disc shaped back paddles keep my front fingers more aligned with the back of the controller while being used for more convenient button schemes for various games so every aspect of my hands have equal movement/placement on the chasse, the grip feels almost cooled in my hands to have a more natural feel holding it for hours. Third party retailers & sellers also have a lot of solid aesthetic customization for the Edge with thumbsticks, faceplates, grips. This is why I bought it, & the research paid off for me anyways. Also, regarding input latency. The avg. latency tests [all estimates] between the normal Dualsense vs. the Edge show dramatic improvement in overall responsiveness/consistency via. wired or Bluetooth on PS5 [tests shown are wired via. PC]. Now the difference shown is almost negligible in a casual game sess. since Sony tuned the normal ver. so well out of the box. But seeing the Edge take steps to tighten the overall button pressing even more for online multiplayer & single player games is key for a premium controller in this space. Lastly, the case it comes with in the box is absolutely excellent. A perfect hard shell casing to protect & place all your accessories as well as a velcro top to unstrap to charge your controller in the case itself with the provided USB A to C braided cable. The pros are great. But this is not a perfect 'pro' controller. It's time for cons & these can actually be deal breakers for a lot of people. It's why I waited so long to purchase it myself. Cons: - The battery life is pathetic, period. They knew it since the battery is smaller/less powerful to fit the other features in a similar case design of the normal DualSense, but PlayStation products have had this issue for far too long. Microsoft let's you use AA batteries or battery packs, other companies simply use better batteries internally. Sony has no excuse to do the same with a $200 product. It gets a max. of 5-6 hours. Thankfully the braided USB cable they bundle in is double the length & higher quality material than the normal cable bundled in PS5 consoles so it saves it for me. - Glossy faceplate is... glossy. Fingerprints, dust, all land on it. Thankfully yet again, you can take it off with ease by pressing the 'release' button behind the controller & comes off smoothly. Replace it with an off brand version or just keep it off, it makes no difference. The replaceable stick modules inside of it are locked in tight behind the plate so its almost impossible to mistakenly unlock it yourself. - Which leads to the infamous 'replaceable stick modules'. This should be an easy positive for Sony since its so accessible to just simply unlatch & replace with another module you theoretically can purchase from PlayStation, here on Amazon, etc. so stick drift is no longer a problem. The problem is their never officially in stock, $20 for just ONE module & not a bundle for two which to me is a laughing stock for a $200 controller, & resellers jack up the price to take advantage of "rare" stock for it. This was a marketing point for this high priced device, Sony is not allowing you to customize as advertised. - A subjective con, but PlayStation controllers still using silicone Dpads & face buttons is just economy choices for Sony. It's not as accurate for button pressing diagonally, they can tear more easily than you'd think from constant button pressing. They are easy to replace, if you know how to take the controller apart. The premium DualSense could've used a higher quality method for button mashing. - While the premium grip on the back of the controller is a net positive, it also comes with an equally important negative in that oxidation & bubbling from hand sweat/humid environments can happen from numerous reviews. Its been one week, & just like the normal white DualSense, I do see a black mark or two from my hands. Its not as easy to simply wipe & wash off like a normal DS since the rougher thicker grip will just resist the cloth/moisture is bad for it. - One. Year. Warranty. Many of these 'premium' controllers from other companies comes with better warranties out of the box or consumer choice of multiple years. The typical PlayStation warranty is simply disappointing despite being able to fix most of the typical issues yourself with easy to disassemble parts of the Edge controller. & there you have it. The DualSense Edge is an excellent improvement to the normal $70 DualSense controller for PS5/PC/etc. But it's not perfect & comes with drawbacks you have to be okay with. Purchase at your own risk, the risk could end up being very worth it in the end.