Following the Nintendo Switch 2 leak for The Legend of Zelda commemorative edition, hardware leaks have continued to emerge. Recently, photos of a prototype疑似 Microsoft Xbox Elite Series 3 controller were exposed on Reddit, with its most striking feature being a built-in micro screen—a design previously unknown to the public.
According to Reddit user ssuberlex, he purchased the controller for $200 on the second-hand trading platform OfferUp. From the photos, this prototype is marked with "NOT FOR SALE," and the battery is labeled as an engineering sample, indicating a high degree of authenticity.
In May this year, leaked documents from Brazilian regulatory agencies revealed that the Elite 3 would add a bottom roller, a second wireless module (for direct connection to Xbox cloud gaming servers), and a new "pairing button" that allows switching connections between cloud gaming and the console. The recently exposed prototype seems to physically confirm this design—the pairing button is likely located to the left of the screen.
The icons displayed on the screen closely match the rocket logo of the xCloud cloud service, suggesting users can visually check their current connection mode via the screen. In another photo, the screen displays an internal URL pointing to Microsoft cloud resources (access restricted), adding credibility to the leak.
Notably, there is a QR code printed inside the battery compartment, which uses standard Torx T6 screws. This may indicate that Microsoft is attempting to improve the controller's repairability, allowing users to replace batteries or perform simple repairs themselves, aligning with the recent "Right to Repair" trend.
Unfortunately, the player stated that the controller is currently non-functional—"whether wired or wireless, it only flashes a red light and fails to pair with the Xbox console." This is likely due to incomplete prototype firmware or engineering locks.
Despite this, Tom Warren, a senior Microsoft reporter at The Verge, cited his sources stating that the Elite Series 3 is still planned for release later this year. With multiple prototype exposures, the full picture of Microsoft's next-generation flagship controller is gradually becoming clear, and an official announcement may arrive in the coming months.