TL;DR: Photos posted by a Reddit user show an unreleased Xbox Elite Series 3 prototype with a small screen between the bumpers, redesigned D‑pad, relocated paddle mounts, and a removable battery secured with Torx T6 screws. The unit reportedly won’t pair or function and the post was quickly removed, though screenshots persist.
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The unreleased Xbox Elite Series 3 controller just leaked again, and this time the story around it might be more interesting than the hardware itself.
A Redditor going by u/ssuberlex posted photos in r/Controller claiming they bought the pad for $200 on OfferUp, a local marketplace app, apparently without knowing exactly what it was. They said they live in Seattle, which is worth noting only because Microsoft’s Redmond campus sits right next door. Shortly after posting, the account went quiet, and parts of the thread were wiped, though some comments and images survived through screenshots and reposts elsewhere.
According to what is left of the post, the controller looks like a heavily reworked take on the original Elite Wireless Controller lineage, with a redesigned D-pad, relocated paddle mounts, and a removable battery secured with Torx T6 screws. That last detail is important as it could point to a more repairable design than earlier Elite pads.
The standout addition, however, is a small screen sitting between the bumpers, next to the USB-C port, something that was not visible in an earlier Elite Series 3 leak back in May. Photos reportedly showed the screen displaying an “aka.ms” shortened link and what looked like a basic loading animation, suggesting it handles pairing between Local Mode and Cloud Mode. There is no evidence of the screen acting as a full interface with menus or notifications.
The poster said the controller does not actually work yet. It reportedly does not pair over Bluetooth or a cable, and the only sign of life is a blinking red light. That matches a battery compartment photo apparently showing “PROTOTYPE NOT FOR SALE” printed inside, which is about as clear a confirmation as leaks get.
A built-in screen is not unheard of in this space. Sony has patented its own touchscreen controller concepts for PlayStation, though nothing has shipped from those filings yet. It is also not yet known if the Elite Controller sticks use Hall effect or TMR sensors, the tech that helps prevent stick drift over time, which was not confirmed either way.
It is hard to say for certain why the thread was pulled so quickly, though a genuine prototype landing in a random buyer’s hands is exactly the kind of leak a hardware team would want contained fast. If Microsoft sticks to earlier reporting, the Elite Series 3 is expected to launch before the end of the year.
What new hardware changes are visible on the leaked Xbox Elite Series 3 compared to previous Elite controllers?
Visible changes include a redesigned D-pad, relocated paddle mounts, and a removable battery secured with Torx T6 screws suggesting easier repairability. The leak also shows a small built-in screen positioned between the bumpers next to the USB-C port, which was not present on prior Elite controllers.
Answered
Question #2
Where was the leaked Xbox Elite Series 3 reportedly purchased and why does the location matter?
The Redditor said they bought the controller for $200 on OfferUp, a local marketplace app. The location matters because the poster said they live in Seattle, which is notable since Microsoft’s Redmond campus sits right next door to Seattle.
Answered
Question #3
What evidence in the photos suggests the leaked unit is a prototype and not a finished retail product?
Photos show the unit does not function, it reportedly will not pair over Bluetooth or cable and only exhibits a blinking red light, and a battery compartment image clearly has PROTOTYPE NOT FOR SALE printed inside, indicating it is an engineering prototype rather than a finished retail product.
Answered
Question #4
What does the small screen on the leaked controller reportedly show and what purpose might it serve?
Photos reportedly showed the small screen displaying an “aka.ms” shortened link and a basic loading animation. The article suggests the display may be used to handle pairing between Local Mode and Cloud Mode rather than acting as a full interface.
Answered
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Microsoft has historically used its Gamescom presence in Cologne for hardware reveals, so that event could be a logical moment to make things official. Either way, this leak suggests the design is closer to finished than most assumed.
