Microsoft continues to invest heavily in cloud gaming. Dois new Xbox controls have been leaked from regulatory documents, revealing a strategy focused on portability and direct connection to servers. One of them is too compact to go unnoticed.
The leak from Brazilian website Tecnoblog exposes two new gamepads: a reduced-sized cloud controller and the long-awaited Xbox Elite Series 3. The images show designs that differ significantly from the traditional Microsoft standard, signaling structural changes in the next generation of peripherals.
Controle in the cloud brings direct connectivity to servers
The cloud-focused controller features noticeably smaller dimensions than a conventional Xbox gamepad, with a shape that approaches portable solutions like 8BitDo and Backbone. The button layout maintains the Xbox identity, but the construction has been optimized for streaming and mobility.
Connectivity makes the biggest technical difference. The control supports Bluetooth 5.3 and direct Wi-Fi connections on 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz networks, allowing direct connection to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers without routing signals through your cell phone, tablet or computer first. Esse jump reduces latency — milliseconds count in games streamed over the internet.
The battery is rechargeable with a capacity of 500mAh and charging via USB-C, abandoning the AA batteries that marked the history of Xbox controls. Essa change reflects portability as a design priority.
Elite Series 3 maintains modularity with new physical controls
Xbox Elite Series 3 preserves the premium approach with interchangeable joysticks, paddles and D-pads, but introduces experimental elements. The leak suggests new hardware inputs that resemble scroll wheels located in the lower region of the controller, indicating customizable inputs never seen before.
The device may have a dedicated button to switch between cloud mode and local mode. Essa functionality would allow quick transitions between console gaming and streaming, offering flexibility to the player without needing to change peripherals.
The battery is removable — a marked difference compared to the Elite Series 2. With a capacity of 1,528 mAh and rechargeable technology, it offers a solution that veterans of the series have long requested, eliminating the frustration of internal batteries that degrade over time.
What changes compared to previous generations
- Cloud Controle: Compact Size, Direct Wi-Fi Connection, 500mAh Removable Battery, USB-C
- Elite Series 3: new hardware inputs, cloud-local toggle button, removable 1,528mAh battery, interchangeable joysticks and D-pads
- Ambos: abandoning AA batteries in favor of integrated rechargeable batteries
Microsoft’s Estratégia points to connected future
Microsoft has tried direct connectivity on controllers before — Google tried it with Stadia a few years ago with a similar goal: eliminating unnecessary jumps between button presses and server. Latency is the mortal enemy of cloud gaming, and every millisecond stolen improves the experience.
The reduced design of cloud control, combined with integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, signals the company’s confidence in its server infrastructure. Não It is a coincidence that the two peripherals appear together: Elite for local enthusiasts who want flexibility, cloud controller for those who play predominantly via streaming.
The fact that both are already included in regulatory documents increases the likelihood of an imminent announcement. The Xbox Games Showcase in June 2026 appears as a likely stage for the official unveiling of these controls, ending months of speculation about the Xbox’s next steps in hardware.