Brazil's telecom regulator Anatel accidentally published images of Microsoft's next-gen Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, and the leak reveals a controller built for a future where local and cloud gaming coexist. The images show the Series 3 with three major upgrades over the 2019-era Elite Series 2. The most consequential: a dedicated pair button that lets players flip between local mode and cloud mode, with the controller supporting direct-to-cloud Wi-Fi connectivity that bypasses Bluetooth entirely.
That cloud-first design mirrors the compact Xbox Cloud Gaming controller that leaked just hours earlier, suggesting Microsoft is preparing two new controllers for its annual games showcase. The cloud controller is smaller, lacks traditional grip handles, and is designed for portability during phone-based cloud streaming. The Series 3 also gains two scrollable wheels on the bottom, positioned on either side of the headphone jack, which could function as volume and game-chat controls or serve as precision inputs for games like Microsoft Flight Simulator.
Microsoft is finally addressing a long-standing complaint: the battery. The Series 3 features a user-replaceable rechargeable battery pack, a first for the line. The trade-off is capacity. Anatel's listing shows a 1,528mAh removable battery, roughly 500mAh smaller than the built-in pack in its predecessor. The original Elite and Elite Series 2 were plagued by quality control issues, with stick drift and material wear being common customer complaints. Microsoft has not commented on whether the Series 3 addresses those hardware problems.
Pricing and release dates remain unconfirmed. The Elite Series 2 currently retails for around $169.99 on the Xbox store, and the Series 3 is expected to land at a similar premium price point. The compact cloud gaming controller is likely intended to be more affordable.
Both controllers are expected to be officially announced at Microsoft's June 7 showcase, where Gears of War: E-Day is confirmed as the headline game. The leaks arrive weeks after Xbox CEO Asha Sharma declared "the return of Xbox," signaling renewed investment in first-party hardware.
