Sorry, to be clear, I was only referring to the standard X1 controller. I have not used any special edition controllers beyond the Elite, which I love so far (though I own a Halo green MC controller, but it's sealed). That's why I was asking about these, to see if they were better made, or at least more sturdy than the standard X1 controller. This is why I specifically asked about the physical aspects. I can read about the other differences between them, but I can't feel the quality unless I bought one to get my hands on it (not to mention, they all feel good the first few weeks). I was wondering if I should use my Elite controller once this X1 controller (that I bought brand new after trading 2 used controllers in that were borderline ragged for) gets too close to "unsatisfying", then IF the Elite has the same issues over time (a much longer time I'd hope), get another Elite, since they seem to be the best...? I would prefer to save the Elite for certain games, then buy a good controller to use the rest of the time, so maybe the S or another SE controller is the way to go. I tried to get the Forza controller at a decent price, but not paying $60-70 for a controller when it could be the same quality as the pack in, with a pretty paint job. I did a year's worth of 'research' before investing in an Elite controller.
I got the 2 controllers I traded in with my used X1. I can now see how they became that way, though mine would never get that bad. Casual gamers, or young kids, that just don't take any care whatsoever about the condition of their controllers (those who don't even notice a loose thumbstick) can easily wear out the thumbsticks, the shoulder buttons, and the outer sides of the controller (the plastic just comes apart, and it creaks everytime I grip the controller. It's already happened to my newest controller, which I may have had ~6-8 months now). I have friends with this same issue of the plastic coming apart. On my newer controller, the right thumbstick is already a tiny bit loose, and that was the main thing I couldn't stand on the controllers that I got used (and led me to trade 2 of them + some funds to get 1 new controller). I also own a ps4, with it's standard controller. The controller seems ok, but I don't play it enough to judge the quality yet, nor have I used any other ps4 controller (I wanted to buy the adapter for the Elite, but not sure if I trust it yet). Maybe it's just this generation of pack in controllers, but those were always the best controllers that I had gotten in the past consoles. I have always preferred the Xbox controller S (my favorite controller ever), then the 360 controller. I did have 1 other controller that I used besides the pack in 360 controller, the Halo Reach controller (I gave my pack in to a coworker that thought it was brand new and wanted to pay me almost full price for it). I had used the pack in from the 360 launch until the Reach controller came out, which had to be a few years at minimum.
Anyways, sorry for rambling. I hope you understand that I wasn't trying to bash the controller blindly, and I appreciate your opinion.
EDIT: I should have said, "cheaply made," instead of cheap, I guess? Just because something cost consumers a lot, does not mean the manufacturer paid a lot for it. They try to buy low, sell high, as often as possible. Paying lots of money =/= quality.
