Sony has new transparent PS5 controllers launching next year

Transparent PS5 controllers and console covers are now available for $84.99 and $74.99 respectively.

Sony is launching a new "Prism Collection" of transparent PlayStation 5 accessories, including DualSense wireless controllers and console covers. This collection revisits the see-through design trend popular in the late 1990s and early 2000s, offering a modern interpretation that allows users to see some of the internal components. The Prism Collection will be available in three colorways: flare orange, emerald green, and graphite gray. Preorders are set to begin on November 10th through PlayStation's online store and other retailers, with the products officially launching on February 4th, 2027. The DualSense controllers will retail for $84.99, and the console covers will be priced at $74.99.

Sony's introduction of transparent accessories echoes a design trend from over two decades ago, signaling a broader return to nostalgic aesthetics in consumer electronics. This move by Sony, shortly after Microsoft's similar 25th-anniversary Xbox offering, suggests a growing market interest in visible internal hardware and retro-inspired design. The choice to reveal internal components taps into a desire among some consumers for a more intimate and transparent relationship with their technology, potentially appealing to enthusiasts and collectors.

The Prism Collection's release could influence how other hardware manufacturers approach product design, possibly leading to more accessories that showcase internal workings or adopt vintage design cues. This trend might also prompt deeper conversations about product longevity and repairability, as visible components can demystify the technology within. As gaming hardware continues to evolve, companies may increasingly leverage design to differentiate their products beyond raw performance, blending functionality with aesthetic appeal and historical references.