Windows Central Insider
It looks like Microsoft is gearing up to launch not just one, but two new Xbox controllers this summer. Just hours after images of its upcoming compact Xbox Cloud Gaming controller leaked, images of the next-gen Xbox Elite Controller have now also appeared online.
According to Tecnoblog, the images were published by Brazilian regulator Anatel and reveal pretty much everything about the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3. It now features two new scrollable wheels at the bottom of the controller either side of the headphone jack, which The Verge theorizes could be useful for games like Microsoft Flight Simulator, or for controlling volume and game-chat.
The final upgrade is with the rechargeable battery. It's finally user replacable, meaning you'll be able to swap it out with a fresh one when it gets low if you've forgotten to charge it. Unfortunately, the Anatel listing implies the replaceable battery is smaller than the built-in one on the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2, by about 500mAh.
Both the original and second-generation Xbox Elite Controllers suffered from quality control issues, with stick drift and high material wear being frequent issues that customers faced. Hopefully this third-generation Xbox Elite Controller is able to solve those issues once and for all.
Both the Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 and Xbox Cloud Gaming controller are yet to be officially announced by Microsoft, but it's likely that they'll be unveiled in the coming weeks, possibly at Microsoft's annual games showcase that's taking place this year on June 7.
Xbox has enjoyed a number of positive changes in the last handful of weeks, starting with CEO Asha Sharma declaring "the return of Xbox." Microsoft is clearly once again interested in building first-party Xbox hardware, and these new controllers should renew hope that the company is serious about building great gaming hardware.
Join us on Reddit at r/WindowsCentral to share your insights and discuss our latest news, reviews, and more.
