Microsoft could soon reveal the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller, claims a well-known insider.
A reliable insider has suggested that Microsoft could be gearing up to unveil a major addition to the Xbox controller lineup in the coming weeks. The controller in question may well be the long-rumored successor to the Xbox Elite Controller Series 2 – bringing significant advancements in design and features.
Launched in November 2019, the Xbox Elite Series 2 controller has been quite popular among the more hardcore gamers on Xbox and PC platforms thanks to features like adjustable tension for the thumbsticks, back paddles, three-level trigger locks, tweaked rubber grips, customizable profile settings, Bluetooth connectivity, and more. With the Elite Series 2 controller having been on sale for nearly six years now, though, many Xbox fans have been wondering where its successor is – especially after the PS5‘s DualSense controller debuted innovative features like haptic feedback and adaptive triggers all the way back in 2020.
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Last month, notable industry insider Jez Corden reported that Microsoft was prototyping three new Xbox controllers, including a successor to the Elite Series 2. At the time, he predicted that the Elite Series 3 controller might not break cover until the launch of Xbox’s next console. That timeline may have changed, though, as in a recent Windows Central report, Corden claims to have it “on good authority” that the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller is not only real, but could be revealed during the upcoming Xbox Games Showcase on June 8.
Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Will Purportedly Be Much More Modern and Improved Over its Predecessor
According to Corden’s report, Microsoft will modernize the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller and “improve the offering leaps and bounds” over the Elite Series 2. Specifics on what’s new for the Elite Series 3 controller remain under wraps, but Corden’s wording alludes to major improvements in ergonomics, quality, and features – which could include counterparts to the DualSense‘s haptic feedback and adaptive triggers. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer even praised the DualSense’s features a few years ago, so it wouldn’t be too surprising if the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller adapts some, if not all, of them.
While this report is unconfirmed, what lends further credence to it is the fact that Microsoft has traditionally used its summer Xbox showcases to debut new controller models. With fan requests for a new Xbox Elite controller mounting, the June 2025 Xbox Games Showcase could be the perfect venue for announcing the Elite Series 3, potentially with launch slated for later this year. It also remains to be seen what comes of another long-rumored Xbox controller – codenamed Sebile. Xbox’s Sebile mid-range controller was leaked via FTC documents back in 2023, with the prototype supposedly including features like native cloud gaming support, lift-to-wake functionality, modular thumbsticks, haptic feedback, etc.
At the time of this post, the Xbox Elite Series 2 Controller is on sale 20% off at Amazon.
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