Purported Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Prototype Somehow Ends Up in a Customer’s Hands
A prototype Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has surfaced after a Reddit user claimed they purchased it on OfferUp for $200 while attempting to buy an Elite Series 2. The user posted images to the r/Controller subreddit, where community members confirmed the device appeared to be a development kit prototype for the as-yet-unannounced controller.
The leak follows earlier revelations from May, when a Brazilian regulatory filing disclosed several expected Elite Series 3 features. These include two new scroll wheels positioned on the bottom edge and a new “Pair Button” designed to switch between console and Xbox Cloud Gaming server connectivity. The controller will support a dedicated wireless mode for cloud gaming access.
The prototype’s unexpected availability on a retail marketplace raises questions about how Microsoft’s development hardware entered the public market. Some Reddit commenters speculated the device might include encryption restricting its use to registered developer accounts.
The accidental discovery has generated speculation about Microsoft’s upcoming announcements, with observers wondering whether the company might formally unveil the Xbox Elite Series 3 at the upcoming Gamescom event. Although not yet officially announced, the combination of regulatory leaks and this physical prototype indicates the Elite Series 3 is in advanced development stages and likely approaching an imminent reveal.