Duracell and Microsoft have a deal - that much is true - but it has just clarified that the deal does not mean that Microsoft has to use AA batteries in its Xbox controllers. Rather, the support for batteries is simply down to players enjoying the freedom of choice.
Talking to Digital Foundry, Microsoft's Jason Ronald revealed, "What it comes down to is when actually talking to gamers, it's kind of polarizing and there is a strong camp that really wants AAs, so just giving flexibility is the way to please both people... You can use a rechargeable battery pack and it works just like it does on the Elite, [but] it is a separate thing."
The deal that Microsoft has with Duracell regards the supply of batteries, not the necessity to have battery supporting controllers. Duracell's marketing manager in the UK, Luke Anderson, told Stealth Optional, "There's always been this partnership with Duracell and Xbox... [The deal is] for OEM to supply the battery product for the Xbox controllers and also the controllers' battery."
Microsoft also issued a statement today to EuroGamer, clarifying the situation, "We intentionally offer consumers a choice intheir battery solutions for our standard Xbox Wireless Controllers. This includes the use of AA batteries from any brand, the Xbox Rechargeable Battery, charging solutions from our partners, or a USB-C cable, which can power the controller when plugged into the console or PC."
For comparison, PlayStation does not use AA batteries, and so Xbox, by comparison, seems somewhat archaic. As such, many wondered if this would change with the launch of the Series X but, alas, it did not. However, Microsoft does seem interested in following in Sony's footsteps, as it has just asked whether players want a controller more like the DualSense. Perhaps, if a new line of controllers is launched, things will change, but for now, it seems as though the Xbox player base is happy with the option to choose for themselves.