Sony has a new idea for PlayStation gaming, and it’s built for players who never put their phone down. A recently spotted patent describes a setup where a smartphone mounts directly above a DualSense-style PS5 controller using a clip, turning the phone into a secondary input device that can work alongside the controller at the same time.
The concept is simple: pair a standard console controller with a device people already own and use daily. In the patent, Sony explains that the goal is to increase the variety of input controls a player can access through an input device. Smartphones are highlighted because they’re widely used and typically include a bright display plus at least one sensor. In other words, the phone isn’t just an extra screen—it’s an additional control surface packed with hardware features many controllers don’t have.
In the diagrams, the phone sits mounted on top of what looks like a DualSense PS5 controller. The overall look will be familiar to anyone who has seen third-party controller phone clips already sold for gaming. The difference here is how Sony imagines PlayStation games handling it: future PS5 or PS6 titles could accept commands from both the DualSense controller and the attached smartphone simultaneously.
It might look a bit awkward at first, but Sony outlines several reasons why it could make sense in real gameplay. Touchscreen controls can be more natural for certain actions than buttons, sticks, or D-pads—especially for menus, quick selections, puzzle interactions, strategy elements, or inventory management. Instead of pausing the game to dig through nested menus, developers could put key controls directly on the phone screen, closer to how mobile games handle fast actions.
The bigger opportunity may be the phone’s built-in sensors. Modern smartphones come loaded with capabilities that aren’t standard on most console accessories, opening the door for new types of interaction. Sony’s filing suggests developers could design games that tap into those sensors when it improves the experience, using the controller for traditional movement and combat while the phone handles extra inputs in a more flexible way.
Dual-screen gaming itself isn’t new, and it has worked well in systems that were designed around it. A second screen can help games feel less cluttered by moving information—like maps, objectives, messaging, or alternate viewpoints—off the main display. When supported properly, it can also create new gameplay possibilities rather than acting as a simple companion display.
Sony’s patent also hints at another area where smartphones could contribute: the camera. Many games already let players use photos for character creation, such as importing a selfie, but the process can be clunky. With a phone attached and recognized as part of the input system, Sony could be envisioning a smoother way to scan images, capture content, or enable camera-based features without forcing players to step away from the console experience.
This patent doesn’t exist in a vacuum, either. It’s one of several Sony ideas aimed at evolving the DualSense controller and how players interact with PlayStation games. One notably related concept involves rethinking traditional inputs with alternative, touch-focused control schemes. In this newest approach, rather than replacing the controller’s buttons and sticks, Sony appears to be exploring how an everyday device could extend the controller’s capabilities and give developers another way to design controls.
As with all patents, there’s no guarantee this exact design will become a real product. Still, it offers a clear glimpse into how Sony may be thinking about PS5 and PS6 gaming: more flexible control options, optional second-screen features, and deeper integration with the smartphone most players already keep within arm’s reach.
