Xbox Elite Series 3 Controller Prototype Surfaces Online

A physical prototype of Microsoft's unreleased Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has surfaced online after a buyer purchased it on the OfferUp marketplace, providing the most detailed look yet at the company's next high-end gamepad. The device, which matches images previously leaked by a Brazilian regulatory agency, features a small display screen and new connectivity options designed for both console and cloud gaming.

The prototype was acquired by a Reddit user who posted images to the rController subreddit, seeking help to identify the device they had bought for $200. The post, which has since been deleted, showed a controller that closely resembles the existing Elite Series 2 but with several notable differences. Most prominent is a small screen on the top of the controller, which appears to display a pairing interface. The images also revealed new scroll wheels on the bottom of the device, a redesigned directional pad, and a removable, rechargeable battery.

The buyer reported that the controller would not pair with an Xbox console, either wirelessly or via a cable. This detail led some commenters to speculate that the unit may have originated from a developer kit. The...