Two new Xbox controllers just leaked, and one is ridiculously small

Microsoft’s next Xbox controllers have just leaked, and it looks like the company is going all-in on cloud gaming in a way that feels very different from the Xbox strategy we’ve known for years.

A fresh leak from Brazilian outlet Tecnoblog, which obtained images from a regulatory filing, has revealed two unreleased Xbox controllers; a compact cloud-focused gamepad and what appears to be the long-rumored Xbox Elite Series 3.

The cloud controller looks distinctly smaller than a normal Xbox controller, with a shape that feels a bit more like something from 8BitDo or Backbone, rather than Microsoft’s usual chunky design language. The familiar Xbox button layout remains, but the overall body looks like it was designed for streaming and portability.

The connectivity is what’s interesting in the leak. The Verge reports that the controller supports Bluetooth 5.3 and direct Wi-Fi connections on 2.4GHz and 5GHz networks. That means it can supposedly connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers, instead of routing inputs through your phone, tablet or PC first.

If that sounds familiar, it’s because Google tried something similar with the Stadia controller a few years ago. The idea is to eliminate unnecessary hops between your button press and the game server to reduce latency. Tiny delays matter in cloud gaming. Microsoft certainly seems to think those milliseconds are worth a complete re-imagining of the controller experience.

The leaked cloud controller is also reportedly equipped with a built-in 500mAh rechargeable battery and USB-C charging, another departure from Microsoft’s long-standing reliance on AA batteries.

Next up is the Xbox Elite Series 3 leak, which doesn’t seem as experimental but still offers some meaningful changes.

Images from the source suggest Microsoft is sticking with the premium modular approach with interchangeable thumbsticks, paddles, and D-pads but is adding new hardware controls with mysterious scroll-wheel-like inputs near the bottom of the controller.

The Elite 3 may also have a dedicated button to switch between cloud and local modes. In practice, that could mean players are able to move from console gaming to cloud streaming more quickly.

A detail many longtime Xbox fans may notice right away is the battery change. The leak mentions a removable 1,528mAh rechargeable battery, unlike the larger internal pack found in the Elite Series 2.

Seeing as these devices have already appeared in regulatory filings, it’s likely Microsoft won’t be waiting long to make them official. The Xbox Games Showcase in June now seems like the obvious place for these controllers to finally step out of leak territory and into real-world hands.