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, featuring an interchangeable D-Pad, paddles, and two new mysterious buttons.
Refined Design and New Input Options
The Elite 3 controller design appears more refined, with the addition of two new scroll wheels at the bottom. These could be related to controller adjustments or a new input method for games like Microsoft Flight Simulator. The controller also includes a new pair button that can switch between local mode and cloud mode to connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers. In cloud mode, this should improve latency for cloud streaming games, a feature also expected on the smaller Xbox controller leaked earlier today.
Removable Battery and Regulatory Filings
Microsoft appears to be moving to a removable rechargeable battery in the Xbox Elite 3 controller. Filings at Anatel indicate this updated controller has a smaller 1,528mAh removable battery compared to the Elite 2's 2,050mAh battery. It is not clear when Microsoft plans to release these new Xbox controllers, but given they are leaking at regulators, an announcement at the upcoming Xbox showcase in June seems likely.
