Xbox Elite Series 3 controller appears to leak alongside new cloud gaming controller

Microsoft may be preparing two new Xbox controllers, including the long awaited Xbox Elite Series 3. The devices appear to have surfaced through a Brazilian regulator, with leaked images and details pointing to one premium controller and one smaller controller built around Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The biggest reveal is the apparent Elite Series 3 controller. Xbox fans have been waiting for a new Elite model for years, and the leaked design looks similar to Microsoft’s existing premium controller line while adding a few new hardware features.

The controller reportedly includes WiFi 6, Bluetooth, a 3.5mm headphone jack, an interchangeable D pad, rear paddles, trigger locks, and two new scroll wheels near the bottom. It also appears to include a new pair button that can switch between local mode and cloud mode, possibly to improve latency when using Xbox Cloud Gaming.

The two scroll wheels are the most interesting change on the Elite Series 3 design. Their exact purpose is not confirmed, but they could be used for volume controls, chat mix, menu navigation, or custom inputs. If Microsoft lets players remap them, they could become a useful addition for advanced controller setups.

The leak also shows a separate Xbox Cloud Gaming controller. This one has a wider, phone controller style shape rather than the normal Xbox pad design. It appears to be aimed at people who play Xbox games through the cloud without owning a console. The leaked details mention a 500mAh battery and two color options: black and white.

That cloud controller could be important for Microsoft’s wider Xbox strategy. Xbox Cloud Gaming has been part of the company’s plan for years, but dedicated hardware could make the service feel easier for people who mainly play on phones, tablets, or other portable screens.

Windows Central’s Jez Corden also said the cloud controller is real and that he had seen other images months ago. That does not confirm a release date, but it adds weight to the leak.

The Elite Series 3 may draw more attention, but it also comes with pressure. Many players liked the Elite Series 2, but durability complaints around bumpers, sticks, rubber grips, and long term wear have followed Microsoft’s premium controllers for years. If the new model is real, quality will matter as much as features.

There are still important unknowns. The leak does not confirm whether the Elite Series 3 has Hall effect or TMR sticks, gyro aiming, better haptics, improved buttons, or stronger build quality. Those are the upgrades many fans want most, especially at the high price usually attached to Elite controllers.

For now, Microsoft has not officially announced either controller. Still, the regulatory leak suggests the company may be getting close to revealing new Xbox hardware accessories. If the Elite Series 3 and the cloud controller launch soon, they could support both sides of Xbox’s current strategy: premium console play and portable cloud access.