Leaked Xbox Elite 3 Prototype Photos Show Built-In Screen and Cloud Gaming Mode

Fresh photos of an apparent Xbox Elite 3 prototype have surfaced online after being posted to Reddit by an individual who stated they purchased the hardware through OfferUp. According to an examination by The Verge, the leaked images feature a new detail not seen in previous hardware leaks: a small built-in screen appearing to tie into a cloud gaming mode.

One of the newly surfaced images displays an XCloud rocket icon situated beside an Xbox Series X, while another image reveals a URL linked to a restricted Microsoft cloud resource. This hardware connects back to an earlier leak from May, where regulatory images first indicated a controller designed with the capability to switch between a local console connection and Xbox Cloud Gaming servers using a new pair button.

While diagrams from May illustrated how the controller could shift between local and cloud modes, those regulatory files did not showcase a display. The interface shown on the newly photographed prototype matches those earlier functional concepts, marked by the XCloud icon. However, Microsoft has not publicly detailed what the screen is intended to do, meaning it is not confirmed whether a display will be utilized specifically for switching cloud modes on a retail unit.

The hardware also exhibits other physical changes previously highlighted in May's regulatory documentation, including bottom scroll wheels and a removable battery, diverging from the current Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. Markings on the prototype indicate that it is not intended for retail sale and features placeholder regulatory information. Furthermore, the individual who acquired the unit reported that the controller does not currently connect either wirelessly or via a cable, preventing any testing of the documented cloud functionalities.

Microsoft has not officially announced an Xbox Elite 3 controller, and details such as an official name, price, and release date remain unconfirmed. Official material from Microsoft continues to feature the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2. It remains unknown if the small screen will be included in any final version that eventually launches in stores.