It still need external battery but it is still included with the package
now all majority retail store is selling XBOX ONE S controller

but without the dongle, some are the features still not available.
Example is the build in headphone jack at the controller still require the dongle only can function.

perhaps you shall do more research on the XBOX ONE S controller for PC before to get one , as there are many people complain about Microsoft not giving enough attention to the controller support for Windows 10.

Oh, that's because the battery housing is loosen over time.
I guess the new one is better

but yet, my XBOX ONE controller still eating dust, still using the legacy one XBOX 360 controller. Just that the left Tilt Controller is malfunction, need to change to new one.