Microsoft quietly removes legacy headset port from new Xbox Series X and S controller

Microsoft appears to have made a small hardware revision to the standard Xbox Series X and S controller, starting with the new Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition pad. The change is simple but noticeable for long time Xbox players: the old proprietary headset port has been blocked off, leaving the normal 3.5mm headphone jack in place.

This does not mean wired headsets are going away. The regular 3.5mm headphone jack is still available, so most modern wired headsets should continue to work as usual. What seems to be disappearing is the older Xbox One era accessory port that was used for devices such as Microsoft’s stereo headset adapter and chatpad keyboard.

The change mostly affects older Xbox One accessories, not normal wired headphones

The legacy port has been part of Xbox controllers since the original Xbox One controller launched in 2013. It later sat beside the 3.5mm jack after Microsoft revised the controller in 2015. For many players, the port may have gone unused for years, but some still rely on it for quick physical audio controls or older accessories.

The Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition controller is the first new pad where this change has been spotted. Microsoft has not officially announced the revision yet, and the change has not been widely seen across all standard controllers. Still, it is likely that newly manufactured Xbox Series X and S controllers may follow the same design if Microsoft is phasing out the old port.

For most players, this will not be a major issue. The majority of modern headsets either use the 3.5mm jack, USB, Bluetooth style wireless solutions, or Xbox wireless audio support. The old proprietary port mainly served accessories from the Xbox One generation, and Microsoft may have decided that usage is now low enough to remove it.

However, the removal still matters for people who use the stereo headset adapter. That accessory gave players physical buttons for volume, mute, and game chat balance without opening menus or reaching for headset controls. Some players also used the port for the Xbox chatpad, which made text entry easier on console.

The timing is interesting because reports have also pointed to a possible new Xbox Elite controller and another cloud focused Xbox controller. If those newer pads also remove the legacy port, it would confirm that Microsoft is moving away from older controller accessories across the board.

This is not a dramatic redesign, but it does show Microsoft cleaning up older hardware features. Removing the port could reduce manufacturing complexity and make more space for newer controller designs. The downside is that some long time Xbox accessories may slowly become less useful with future pads.

For now, players who depend on the legacy headset adapter or chatpad should be careful before buying newer controllers. Older Xbox Series X and S controllers and Xbox One controllers should still support those accessories, but the Forza Horizon 6 Limited Edition model suggests that future pads may not. The safest takeaway is that the 3.5mm jack remains safe, but the old Xbox One accessory port may be on its way out.