Enthusiasts anticipating a new Xbox Elite Series controller are in for exciting news, as a new iteration appears to be on the horizon.
Images of two unannounced Xbox controllers have surfaced online, reportedly obtained by Brazilian technology site Technoblog. One of these is dubbed the “Xbox Cloud Controller,” seemingly engineered for Xbox game streaming. This controller appears to be a more compact and cost-effective version of the standard Xbox gamepad, possibly designed for enhanced portability.
This leak aligns with earlier reports from February, where The Verge indicated that Xbox was developing a streaming controller with direct Wi-Fi connectivity to games. The design of the leaked Cloud controller bears a resemblance to the now-discontinued Google Stadia controllers.
Following the reveal of the Cloud controller, Technoblog also shared details of what is strongly believed to be the Elite Series 3 controller. It maintains the familiar form factor and customization options of previous Elite models, but introduces a significant new feature: two scrolling wheels located at the base of the controller. The exact functionality of these wheels remains undisclosed, but they could potentially be used for rapid selection of various controller configurations or other in-game options.
According to Technoblog’s report, the Elite Series 3 controller will feature a 500mAh battery and support both Bluetooth and Wi-Fi 6. It has been a considerable period since a new version of the Elite controller was released, with the Elite Series 2 launching in 2019.
While information regarding the pricing and release dates for both controllers is currently unavailable, the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase in June, coinciding with Summer Game Fest, presents a likely venue for official announcements and further details.