An Xbox fan snagged a prototype of the Xbox Elite Controller 3 for $200 on the U.S. classifieds site OfferUp and posted photos on Reddit, though they have since been deleted. The model features a previously unknown design element: a small display directly on the controller’s body. Microsoft has neither officially announced nor confirmed the controller, but the evidence pointing to its authenticity is strong.
TL;DR
Reddit user ssuberlex bought the prototype for $200 on OfferUp. A new feature is a built-in display next to a Pair button that switches between local mode and Xbox Cloud Gaming. The battery capacity has decreased from 2,050 mAh (Elite Series 2) to 1,528 mAh, but it is now replaceable. It also features two new scroll wheels, a redesigned D-pad, and hints at improved repairability thanks to Torx T6 screws and a QR code in the battery compartment. According to The Verge insider Tom Warren, the controller is set to launch in 2026; a price has not been announced.
How the Xbox Elite Controller 3 leak came about
A Reddit user named ssuberlex posted his photos in the r/Controller subreddit, asking what device it was. He had purchased the item for $200 on OfferUp, a popular classifieds app in the U.S., without realizing it was an internal test controller. To put this in context: A “NOT FOR SALE” sticker is affixed to the casing and the battery, along with placeholder approval numbers from various regulatory agencies. According to the buyer, the device doesn’t work: It can’t connect to an Xbox either via cable or wirelessly; only the red LED flashes, as reported by The Verge.
The images match a previous leak with striking accuracy: As early as May 2026, technical drawings of the Elite Controller 3 had surfaced via the Brazilian regulatory agency Anatel, originally discovered by the Brazilian website Tecnoblog. Even back then, there was talk of new scroll wheels and a second wireless mode, though the display was completely missing from the regulatory documents.
The Built-in Display: What It Can Show
In the new photos, a small screen is located to the left of what is believed to be the pair button. Among other things, it shows a rocket icon next to a stylized Xbox Series X, apparently an indication of the active connection mode between the console and the cloud. Another image shows an internal Microsoft URL that no one outside the company has access to. This is precisely what makes the leak so credible, as a fake controller wouldn’t require this level of detail.
The screen is not a gaming display; based on current information, it serves only as a status indicator. Nevertheless, this would mark the first time an Xbox controller has ever featured its own screen, and it would be a clear distinguishing feature compared to Sony’s DualSense Edge, which has so far done without one.
Battery, Scroll Wheels, Repairability: An Overview of the Specifications
Several sources, including Notebookcheck and TechRadar, independently confirm the same battery capacity. This is also interesting because a smaller battery almost always sounds like a downside, but in this case, it could represent real progress if it finally allows for battery replacement without a trip to a repair shop.
| Feature | Xbox Elite Series 2 | Xbox Elite Controller 3 (Leak) |
|---|---|---|
| Battery Capacity | 2,050 mAh, built-in | 1,528 mAh, removable |
| Scroll wheels | None | Two, on the bottom |
| Screen | None | Small status display |
| Connection modes | Bluetooth / Cable | Local + Xbox Cloud Gaming via Wi-Fi |
| D-pad | Interchangeable | Replaceable, new design |
| Repair Access | Standard screws | Torx T6 screws, QR code in the battery compartment |
| Market launch | 2019 | 2026 at the earliest, unconfirmed |
Although the battery can be removed, the photos show that the case must be opened to do so—it’s not a simple flip-open compartment like on some third-party controllers. Anyone who has ever had to retire an Elite controller due to a failing battery will still see this as an improvement. This is complemented by the QR code in the battery compartment—which presumably links to repair instructions—and the Torx T6 screws, which replace the previous standard fasteners. Two new scroll wheels are located on the underside; their exact function remains unclear.
Cloud Gaming Mode: What the New Pair Button Is For
Arguably the biggest functional leap concerns the connection itself. According to the May leak, a new Pair button is intended not only for pairing but also for switching between two modes: the classic local connection to the console and a direct Wi-Fi connection to Xbox cloud gaming servers. In practice, this would mean that the controller could connect directly to a cloud stream via an app—without a console and without any intermediate steps—potentially with lower latency than via Bluetooth.
Release, Price, and What’s Still Unclear
There has been no official announcement yet. According to his colleague Sean Hollister, The Verge editor Tom Warren—who is considered one of the most reliable insiders on Xbox topics—expects the controller to be released later this year. Whether Microsoft will unveil it at Gamescom in August remains pure speculation, but a launch at the Cologne trade show would be a logical choice. No details have been provided regarding the price; the Elite Series 2 launched in 2019 for around 180 euros, so a price increase to account for the new features would come as no surprise.
Those who don’t want to wait for the successor or are simply looking for an alternative can already get interchangeable paddles and thumbsticks with the current Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. If that’s not enough, check out our review of the Scuf Omega for a third-party alternative with its own strengths and weaknesses.
Conclusion
The leak regarding the Xbox Elite Controller 3 seems unusually credible due to the combination of government documents and a genuine—albeit defective—prototype. The built-in display is the most striking new feature, but the smaller, yet replaceable battery is likely to be the more practical improvement for many users. As long as Microsoft remains silent, the release date and price remain a matter of speculation. However, if the controller does indeed launch at gamescom 2026 or later in 2026, the Elite Series 3 would be the biggest redesign of the series to date since its debut.
