Sony Patents a Touchscreen PlayStation Controller With Fully Customizable Buttons
Sony Interactive Entertainment has been granted a U.S. patent for a radically new PlayStation controller design that replaces traditional fixed buttons with a large touchscreen surface where players can choose where buttons are placed — or even remove them entirely depending on the game or personal preference.
How the Patented Controller Would Work
According to the patent documentation, the controller’s top surface would be almost entirely touchscreen-based, letting gamers:
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Reposition buttons — move the D-Pad, action buttons, analog sticks, and other inputs anywhere on the surface.
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Resize controls — make certain controls larger or smaller to suit hand size or game style.
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Remove unused buttons — for titles that need fewer inputs (e.g., a simple platformer), the layout could be simplified.
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Use gesture inputs — later patent commentary suggests support for swipes and taps beyond traditional presses.
The goal is to overcome limitations of fixed-layout controllers — which may feel too small, large, or uncomfortable for certain players — and offer a personalized control experience that adapts to hand size, playstyle, or specific game requirements.
Aiming for Flexibility and Accessibility
In the patent text, Sony highlights the drawbacks of conventional designs, noting that fixed button layouts:
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May be uncomfortable for some users.
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Don’t always fit all types of games or control schemes.
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Limit players who have different hand sizes or accessibility needs.
By allowing full customization, this concept could make controllers more inclusive and adaptable, particularly for players who struggle with standard layouts.
Patent ≠ Product — No Release Yet
It’s important to note that a patent doesn’t guarantee a commercial product. Sony patents many ideas to protect potential future innovations, and not all of them become real devices.
Sony has registered a patent for an unusual gamepad without physical buttons.
It features a fully touch-sensitive surface that supports gestures such as taps and swipes, and it will be able to adapt to finger positions, dynamically changing the control zones. pic.twitter.com/XnQLO18WfZ
— Gaming.Bo3.gg (@Gaming_bo3gg) January 30, 2026
Past PlayStation controller patents — including adaptive button placements, extra rear buttons, or touchscreens — have surfaced over the years without resulting in shipped hardware.
Still, this patent adds to a trend of Sony exploring new interaction models beyond the traditional DualSense and DualShock line, potentially influencing future controllers for next-generation consoles like a hypothetical PlayStation 6.