PSBlog Feed: (For Southeast Asia) Hands-on report: FlexStrike wireless fight stick and Pulse Elevate wireless speakers

[Commander Fury]

When the original PlayStation first launched over 30 years ago, gaming was mostly about you sitting in front of an old-school CRT television, controller in hand. While that’s still the case for many, there are now more options than ever to customize your gaming environment. 

Fast forward to 2026, and PlayStation now offers a variety of controllers, headsets, and devices to give players options for the best way to play. This expansion of players’ options continues as new pricing and info for upcoming PlayStation products were just announced, and we were fortunate enough to go hands-on. Read on to learn about the FlexStrike wireless fight stick and Pulse Elevate wireless speakers.

This article includes contributions from both O’Dell Harmon Jr. and Kristen Zitani

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FlexStrike wireless fight stick

Fighting game hopefuls and fanatics can rejoice, as FlexStrike is primed to be a premier fighting stick that is both beginner-friendly and tournament-ready for all skill levels. First and foremost, it can be used both wired and wirelessly, with the wireless option leveraging PlayStation Link to deliver ultra-low latency as fast as 4 milliseconds from the controller to the included PS Link adapter*.

Comfort and customization 

Understanding that players have different ways of sitting and resting their wrists, the stick is designed to be played both in your lap and on a table. The bottom is covered in a non-slip material that also grips to prevent sliding. FlexStrike stayed cool while on my lap and didn’t slide around as I tested various movements and sudden body shifts. The stick is also shorter than average and the face buttons rest on a slightly angled surface, reducing fatigue and increasing comfort and ergonomics. It performed just as well on the tabletop.

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The feature I was most excited about was the toolless swappable restrictor gates for the custom-designed digital stick, which let you easily switch between square, circular, and octagonal gates. The back cover is magnetic and can be popped off, so you can switch between the gates within seconds. I grew up playing charge characters in Street Fighter, so square gates are my natural calling, but when switching to the octagonal gates I could feel each distinct corner, and I could make smooth circle motions with the circular gate.

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Tools of the trade 

FlexStrike comes with a sling carry case that can be worn crossbody or on the back.The inside of the case features special sections to keep the digital stick safe and secure, along with pouches for cables and any other tools you might need. You don’t have to worry about things moving around or going out and buying any extra equipment to keep it in top condition.

In Southeast Asia, the FlexStrike wireless fight stick releases on August 6, 2026 for SGD 279 / MYR 999 / IDR 4,199,000 / THB 7,790 / PHP 13,178 / VND 6,499,000 (sling carry case included) with pre-orders starting on June 12, 2026. 

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Pulse Elevate wireless speakers

Audiophiles will have a new way to immerse themselves into sonic gaming soundscapes with PlayStation’s first pair of wireless stereo speakers. I had the chance to turn up the volume in person to test out its sleek but powerful features with my own ears.

Planar magnetic drivers

Like Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore before it, the studio-inspired speakers are powered by planar magnetic drivers that help reproduce sound with near perfect accuracy along the entire audible spectrum. Paired with ultra-low latency and lossless PlayStation Link technology, these wireless speakers can provide lifelike audio in a portable form factor.

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In a hands-on run through of the dangerous biomes in Saros, that translated to a crisp-yet-rich mix of gameplay sound and adrenaline-pumping music. Audio cues from spawning enemies thanks to the Tempest 3D AudioTech immersed me in Arjun’s world, allowing me to weave through combat with lethal precision. The range of tones makes it easy to sink into the soundtrack’s thrumming bassline while still staying alert to incoming threats, and the ultra-low latency via PlayStation Link delivered sounds as they happened. 

Tailored soundspace

Beyond the robust tech inside, the look and feel of the speakers were right at home both beside a monitor while playing on PS5 and and stationed off their dock around the room. The built-in rechargeable battery allows for 12 hours of play, and each speaker can be tilted to your preferred angle. As someone who often works from home, I imagined all the ways I could move them across my apartment throughout the day: taking a call or listening to music while working on my laptop, then seamlessly switching to playing on PS5 after work. 

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Built-in mic with AI-enhanced noise rejection

Similar to Pulse Elite and Pulse Explore headphones, the Pulse Elevate speakers can utilize PlayStation Link simultaneously with another Bluetooth audio connection, meaning I can take a phone call while gaming without any latency or interruption. But they also have a headphone-style noise-filtering feature that blew me away. 

In a demonstration on a laptop, we made a call speaking at a normal volume while music loudly flowed through the Pulse Elevate speakers. When a recording of the call played back, all we heard was the clear speaking voice. The built-in mic had cut through the noise without having to pause music or change the volume at all. A seamless experience end to end. 

The Pulse Elevate wireless speakers are set to launch later this year – stay tuned for more details on PlayStation Blog.

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*PC compatibility for FlexStrike wireless fight stick will roll out following launch, with availability expanding to more users over time.

**Features available with compatible devices and supported games, sold separately.

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