Microsoft’s next Elite controller may have just been outed by Brazil’s telecom regulator, and the Xbox Elite Controller 3 leak suggests a fairly serious refresh rather than a cosmetic tweak. Images circulating from Anatel show what appears to be an Xbox Elite Controller 3 with two thumb-accessible scroll wheels, a redesigned D-pad, a new front pairing button, and a switch to a removable rechargeable battery.
The timing is awkward for Microsoft, but useful for everyone else trying to figure out its accessory plans. The Elite line has not had a true successor since the second generation arrived in 2019, although it did become customizable in Design Lab in 2022. If this leak is real, the company is overdue for a premium controller that looks meaningfully different from the last one.
Xbox Elite Controller 3 leak details
The most eye-catching detail is the pair of scroll wheels at the bottom edge. According to the leaked specs making the rounds, they can be controlled by the thumbs, which sounds like the kind of feature Microsoft would happily present as precision, and gamers will either adore or ignore completely.
The controller also appears to add a front-facing button for switching between local and cloud modes. That would fit Microsoft’s broader push around cloud gaming and could make the device feel more purpose-built than the current Elite lineup, which has long been about customization first and platform strategy second.
Why this leak looks more credible than a random mockup
This is not just internet fog. The images reportedly came via a regulatory filing, and that is exactly the kind of paperwork trail that has embarrassed hardware makers for years. If a national regulator is already examining the device, the odds are good that Microsoft is past the napkin-sketch phase and heading toward a formal reveal.
There is also a practical reason to expect movement soon: Xbox is only weeks away from its big summer showcase. After a day that produced not one but two controller leaks in Brazil, Microsoft may decide it would rather control the narrative than let regulators and tech blogs do it for it.
What to watch before the official reveal
- Whether Microsoft keeps the Elite brand focused on pro-style custom controls or leans harder into cloud gaming.
- Whether the removable rechargeable battery becomes a standard feature rather than an optional extra.
- Whether the company announces the controller at its showcase or tries to get ahead of the leak first.
If the leaked design is accurate, the Elite Controller 3 should arrive with more substance than the usual accessory update. The real question is whether Microsoft wants to frame it as a premium esports tool, a cloud-first pad, or a little of both.