As a lot of reviewers are saying, it feels very close to the Steam Deck controls. The trackpads are slightly different texture and a bit more refined (in a good way). The D-pad and face buttons feel good to me as a longtime gamer.
I’m used to the Xbox Elite 2 these days and this is quite a bit lighter in weight and feels more like plastic, but still solid enough (again, like the Deck). I do maybe prefer the 8-edged D-pad and I’ll probably miss the trigger stops, but gyro and trackpads and grip sense should more than make up for it.
I came from an elite 2 too. I think I feel the same about the vibration motors. I think the OG 360s are worse than the steams, but the Elites honestly seem about perfect to me.
Also I haven’t measured it, but do the elites triggers feel much longer than the steam? I primarily use a controller to play FH5/motorsport and they feel shallower.