Leaked Xbox Elite 3 controller photographs present no less than one oddball addition, however it'll wrestle to compete in a radically modified market

Earlier at present, Brazilian tech outlet Tecnoblog revealed photographs of two unannounced Xbox controllers reportedly obtained from the nation’s telecommunications regulator. One is a small kind issue gamepad designed for cloud gaming, resembling related third-party gamepads by the likes of 8bitDo. The opposite is the successor to the Xbox Elite Controller 2.

I have been wanting ahead to information about this gamepad as a result of, because the final iteration launched in 2019, the entire panorama for gamepads has modified. These days a third-party gamepad with all the professional accoutrements—rear paddle buttons, interchangeable D-pads, replaceable sticks—might be had for discount costs, or no less than, effectively under the Sequence 2’s $180 going worth. The Gamesir G7 Professional, for instance, which is in some methods extra feature-rich, goes for $80. What can a titan like Microsoft do to face out?

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The scroll wheels on the Xbox Elite 3 controller — (Picture credit score: Tecnoblog)

What might these be for? Tecnoblog speculates they could possibly be designed for flight sims, however that looks as if a particularly area of interest focus: I reckon flight sim fanatics would favor correct flight sim peripherals. How would they be applied in much more mainstream video games, like FPSes?

Here is two extra photographs from Tecnoblog:

An image of the unannounced Xbox Series 3 pro controller — (Picture credit score: Tecnoblog)

Based mostly on the pictures alone, that is about as radical because the Elite 3 controller will get. Just like the earlier mannequin it will have interchangeable rear paddles, and swappable sticks and D-pads. That center button slightly below the Xbox button switches between native and cloud modes, the latter connecting to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers. The battery remains to be rechargeable and replaceable albeit smaller.

One factor that is not possible to glean from the pictures is the factor that is most essential. Will Microsoft implement drift-free Corridor Impact know-how within the analog sticks, thus eliminating the ever-present worry of stick drift? Or would possibly they implement Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) sticks, that are equally drift-free, however marginally extra correct?

Let’s be blunt: If they do not implement both it is a non-starter. As I’ve written earlier than, in 2026 it is best to refuse to purchase any controller that comes with the issues endemic to Sony, Xbox, and Nintendo’s controllers. You should buy third-party Corridor Impact controllers for a pittance these days.

I am additionally—I will not lie—kinda bored by the Elite 3 controller. Why would I purchase this as an alternative of the Steam Controller which has these nonetheless severely underrated trackpads? Valve’s controller has TMR sticks as effectively, and whereas its rear paddle buttons are baked in and there is solely two of them, I reckon 4 paddle buttons is a extra area of interest proposition than trackpads (time will show me proper!).

The smaller controller may be very a lot a meat and potatoes affair: it is obtained all the same old options with none of the professional trimmings, it is remarkably small and designed for carrying round, and bears the identical new toggle button beneath the Xbox button.

The new, unannounced Xbox controller — (Picture credit score: Tecnoblog)

When will these be correctly introduced? Microsoft hasn’t given any hints, however my greatest guess can be at its Xbox Video games Showcase on June 7, which occurs as a part of Summer season Recreation Fest 2026.