Sony has begun rolling out a new PlayStation 5 system software beta that introduces multi-device pairing for the DualSense and DualSense Edge controllers, along with a power saver mode, an update that may hint at the rumored PlayStation handheld console said to support native PS5 games.
Once the power-saving feature comes to the console, it will be an optional toggle that will reduce both the power consumption and the gaming performance of the console, a system that would be ideal for a portable PlayStation console. While this is far from a confirmation, the controller’s multi-point connection feature and power-saving both make sense for that use case. But the power-saver will not be available in the upcoming beta, which will be limited to the controller updates.
The feature ties into Sony’s wider environmental roadmap, which includes achieving net-zero emissions by 2040.
Starting July 24, selected beta participants will be able to link their PS5 controller to up to four devices, including Windows PCs and iPhones, and switch between them with a simple button combination. This is a major usability upgrade, removing the need to manually re-pair the controller each time a player shifts platforms, and is not something we’ve seen in any official controllers in the past.
Users can now assign slot-specific connections via the PS button combined with one of the four action buttons. For example, triangle links to PS5, circle to PS5 Pro, cross to PC, and square to mobile. Once set, players can switch devices by holding the same combination for three seconds, with the controller’s light bar and indicators showing the active device.
The full beta is limited to selected users in eligible countries, with a global rollout expected sometime in the near future. While some features may change before the final release, this update already hints at some major upcoming changes the PlayStation line-up could see. And considering how popular the PlayStation Portal was, even with its limited capabilities, an actual portable console could do even better.
