Why do Xbox wireless controllers still require batteries?

I too think Xbox is better with it's battery system, change them in 5 seconds. PS4? You gotta loosen the screws, void the warranty, pretend to be a technician. Sure, you can plug in a USB charging cable for the PS4, BUT THAT AIN'T WIRELESS, the way many
people like it, do it this way and you feel like you have chains on your hands in prison. Besides, lithium ion batteries aren't reliable. It is most likely the battery in a PS4 controller will conk out before the controller does. Some may give up and buy a
new controller. Lithium ion batteries also have a short life span, 12 months at best! If it lasts longer, you are incredibly lucky. As battery cells tend to die after a while.

In addition to this if my play and charge battery dies I can just buy a new battery and not have to buy a complete new controller.

You wouldn't have to buy a new controller, unless you're incapable of loosening about 6 screws to get to the internal battery to replace it.

Because I can swap batteries in about 10 seconds, but when my PS4 controller dies I have to plug it in and wait.

Why would you have to wait? Just plug it in and continue playing. Takes even less time than replacing batteries, and doesn't require any interruption to turn off the controller during the process.

Taking it apart isn't hard putting it back together is the problem 😉.

I resisted the temptation to get a PS4 Pro, since controller needs to be on charge all the time, and won't even last a long gaming session.

Until Sony fixes that, I'm on xbox. PS3 was never a problem, and biggest flaw on PS4 is overlooked thing with enough running hours on controller.

I just hate meeting a unit that needs charging before I can get going. It's sometimes months in between I play, and when I want to - it needs to work then, not hours later.

But the rechargeable battery is my biggest issue with my PS4 controller is that it feels like I'm always charging controller where my Xbox One controller with play and charge kit attached lasts for ages between charges.

In addition to this if my play and charge battery dies I can just buy a new battery and not have to buy a complete new controller.

^This. I spent $20 on a set of 4 Li-Ion, 1400mah rechargeable batteries, charger included. I always have a spare set ready to swap when they get low (which they literally last weeks between charges when new) and I've never had to plug my controller into
anything when gaming.

I just got a new set of 2500mah batteries about 2 weeks ago. The first set lasted almost 3 years (got them with my console). I like batteries and controller separate. If the controller outlives the batteries, why should I have to buy the whole deal just
to replace them? If the batteries outlive the controller... same question...

There are power methods that can operate thin devices by powering from the surrounding radiowaves (multipath)

Why would you have to wait? Just plug it in and continue playing. Takes

even less time than replacing batteries, and doesn't require any

interruption to turn off the controller during the process.

The only thing I despise about the PS4 controllers is the internal batteries (I stop playing and switch to the X Box when the controller dies). I like wireless. Hooking up a wire to charge defeats the purpose.

J.R.