The Xbox Elite 3 controller has leaked, but I think it’s missing one crucial feature Xbox cannot continue to ignore
The Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has been accidentally revealed through filings by Brazil’s telecommunications regulator, Anatel. The premium gamepad marks the first major refresh to Xbox’s flagship controller line in years, following the Elite Series 2. However, initial reactions suggest significant disappointment with the refresh. The leaked images show a gray prototype rather than the final retail version, making it difficult to assess the intended final design direction.
According to reporting on the leak, the Elite Series 3 appears to be a relatively modest refresh, prompting criticism from reviewers who felt the device falls short of expectations. Long-time Elite Series users expressed particular dismay at what appears to be the omission of a requested feature—though specific details remain unclear from available information. The commentary suggests this missing element represents a significant oversight for a premium-tier controller positioned at the high end of the gaming peripheral market.
The leak comes after years of speculation about whether Microsoft would release a successor to the Elite Series 2, which launched in 2019. The unplanned reveal through regulatory filings indicates the company may not have been ready to formally announce the new controller.