Alongside its next-gen console plans, Microsoft reportedly has three new Xbox controllers in development, including the Elite Series 2’s long-awaited successor.
Windows Central’s Jez Corden has suggested that three new controllers are in development. However, it’s worth noting that the claim during a recent episode of the Xbox Two podcast, as Corden says it’s “not necessarily something I’m willing to put into a report yet because I don’t have a huge amount of information on this stuff — so take it with a pinch of salt for now.”
With that in mind, Corden suggests that alongside a new base controller that will likely be the next generation of the current Xbox Series X|S controller, there are apparently two other premium controllers in the works. One of the controllers is said to be an Elite Series 3, the long-awaited successor to 2019’s Elite Series 2.
“We are getting some kind of Elite Series 3,” Corden said. “I don’t know if it’ll be announced in June, though — I think maybe you see it next year, maybe it launches with the next-gen Xbox, we’ll see.”
As for the other controller, it’s reportedly the codenamed Sebile controller that was leaked during Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition. Corden suggests it’ll be a mid-range option, with a more expensive version that uses a new feature called Direct-To-Cloud, letting you connect the controller directly to your router as a Wi-Fi connection to eliminate lag when playing games via Xbox Cloud Gaming. According to the original leak, the Sebile controller will also feature haptic feedback, an accelerometer, new modular thumbsticks, and other upgrades over the basic Xbox controller.
Earlier this year, Corden reported that the next generation of Xbox consoles has been greenlit at Microsoft, and could potentially arrive in 2027. Backwards compatibility is said to be a key feature, and the consoles will reportedly be “closer to Windows than ever before,” making it easier for developers to port PC games to Xbox. The company is also working on an official Xbox handheld, although Phil Spencer says it is still “years away.” With that said, a partnered device could launch later this year from ASUS, and the company seems to be teasing it already.