Xbox Elite 3 prototype pad leaks with tiny built-in screen
A Reddit user shares photos of an unreleased Xbox Elite Series 3 controller featuring a small built-in screen and dedicated cloud buttons.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
- A Reddit user bought an alleged Xbox Elite 3 prototype controller for $200 on OfferUp.
- The device features a tiny built-in display and a dedicated button to switch cloud servers.
- Internal battery compartment reveals a QR code and Torx T6 screws for home repairs.
The gaming community is buzzing after a Redditor published detailed photos of an unreleased Microsoft gamepad believed to be the upcoming Xbox Elite Series 3. The user, identified as u/ssuberlex, claimed they purchased the prototype controller for $200 on the resale platform OfferUp. At present, the hardware appears non-functional, showing only a blinking red light while failing to pair with an Xbox console via wired or wireless connections.
Back in May, leaked images originating from a Brazilian regulatory filing revealed that the Xbox Elite 3 would introduce two new scroll wheels along the bottom edge, a secondary wireless mode designed to connect directly to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers, and a new Pair Button capable of toggling between those servers and a traditional console.
Stock photo for illustration only, not from the actual event
Today's leaked photos offer a potential answer to where that pair button is located, as it sits immediately next to a tiny built-in screen—a feature that had not been revealed previously. The display appears nearly identical to the diagram leaked in May that showcased the mode switch dialogue alongside the pair button on the left side.
Photos shared by the Redditor show the controller screen displaying a small xCloud rocket ship icon right next to an Xbox Series X. Another image reveals a URL leading to a Microsoft cloud resource that the user lacked permission to view, lending substantial credibility to the leak. Beyond the screen, the hardware showcases several updated physical attributes:
- New scroll wheels located on the bottom edge of the controller.
- Four rear paddle inputs.
- A battery compartment and dedicated carrying case.
- A detachable D-pad design differing from the May regulatory leak.
- Triggers that produce a crisp click when locked into the hair-trigger position.
Perhaps most intriguingly, inspection inside the battery compartment suggests Microsoft has taken steps toward making the controller home repairable. The hardware includes a printed QR code presumably linking to a repair portal, accompanied by accessible Torx T6 screws. Nevertheless, these specifications are not finalized; labels reading "NOT FOR SALE" are stamped on both the pad and its removable 5.8 watt-hour battery, accompanied by placeholder regulatory ID numbers.
The appearance of a high-profile hardware prototype on consumer resale platforms like OfferUp highlights the continuous supply chain and prototype security challenges faced by major tech manufacturers. Integrating a dedicated screen and direct cloud gaming pairing capabilities indicates that Microsoft aims to bridge local console gaming and cloud streaming more seamlessly. Furthermore, incorporating repair-friendly elements such as QR codes for guides and standard Torx screws aligns with growing regulatory pressures and industry movements toward sustainability and the right to repair.
Tom Warren, Microsoft expert at The Verge, reports that his industry sources still anticipate an official launch for this controller later this year.
Source: The Verge
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