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Leaked images reveal Xbox Elite 3 controller with mysterious new buttons

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Why This Matters

The leaked images of the Xbox Elite 3 controller reveal significant upgrades, including new buttons, refined design, and enhanced cloud gaming features, signaling Microsoft's focus on improving gaming experience and connectivity. These innovations could influence future controller designs and gaming performance, benefiting both consumers and the industry by emphasizing versatility and low-latency gameplay.

Key Takeaways

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Hours after a smaller Xbox Cloud Gaming controller appeared online, Brazil’s Anatel regulator has also accidentally published images of what appears to be Microsoft’s upcoming Xbox Elite 3 controller. Tecnoblog has posted images that show the successor to the Elite 2 controller, with an interchangeable D-Pad, paddles, and two new mysterious buttons.

The Elite 3 controller design appears to be more refined this time, with the addition of two new scroll wheels at the bottom that could be related to controller adjustments or a new input method for games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.

The D-Pad on the Elite 3 is slightly refined. Image: Tecnoblog The Elite 3 appears to have two new scroll wheel buttons. Image: Tecnoblog How the new cloud mode works on Xbox controllers. Image: Tecnoblog A removable battery can be found on the Elite 3 controller. Image: Tecnoblog

The Elite 3 will also have a new pair button that can switch between a local mode or cloud mode to connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers. In cloud mode this should improve the latency for cloud streaming games, and it’s something that will also be available on the smaller Xbox controller that leaked earlier today.

Microsoft also appears to be moving to a removable rechargeable battery in the Xbox Elite 3 controller, as the filings at Anatel indicate this updated controller has a smaller (1,528mAh) removable battery compared to the Elite 2 (2,050mAh).

It’s not clear when Microsoft plans to release these new Xbox controllers, but given they’re leaking at regulators I wouldn’t be surprised to see them get announced at the upcoming Xbox showcase in June.