Evidence has surfaced of a brand-new, compact Xbox controller designed specifically to enhance the Xbox Cloud Gaming experience. First reported by Tecnoblog, leaked images and certification details reveal a smaller form factor than the standard Xbox Wireless Controller.
The standout feature of this new controlelr is the inclusion of Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. Similar to the technology found in the Google Stadia controller and the Amazon Luna controller, a direct Wi-Fi connection allows the peripheral to communicate straight with cloud servers. This bypasses the local device to significantly reduce input latency.
Under the hood, the device is claimed to be powered by a Realtek RTL8730E chip featuring dual ARM Cortex-A7 cores. Despite its size, the controller maintains the full Xbox input suite, including asymmetrical thumbsticks, bumpers, and triggers.
To cater to the handheld and mobile audience, the controller features a 500 mAh internal rechargeable battery charged via USB-C. The physical footprint appears much slimmer and “pocketable” than the traditional gamepad, making it an ideal companion for smartphone clips or tablet gaming.
Part of a Larger Accessibility Push?
This leak raises interesting questions about whether Xbox will adopt features seen in rival services. For instance, Stadia and Luna both offered a “Phone Link” or virtual controller option, allowing users to use their existing controllers or even their smartphones as a bridge to play on screens that don’t support Bluetooth natively. If this new compact controller supports direct cloud pairing via Wi-Fi, it could potentially act as a hub for other devices, further expanding the ways players can use their controllers across the Xbox ecosystem.
This hardware leak comes at a time when Xbox is doubling down on making the service more robust. This new controller appears to be the physical counterpart to the software optimizations we’ve seen recently, as Xbox is making Xbox Cloud Gaming more playable on every device through improved browser performance and streamlined UI.
While Microsoft has not yet officially announced a release date or pricing, the presence of fully-formed hardware prototypes in white and black suggests a launch could be imminent. This move reinforces Xbox’s “Play Anywhere” strategy, providing a dedicated hardware bridge for players who access their streamable library without a console.
As always, remember to follow us on our social media platforms (e.g., Threads, X (Twitter), Bluesky, YouTube, and Facebook) to stay up-to-date with the latest news. This website contains affiliate links. We may receive a commission when you click on these links and make a purchase, at no extra cost to you. We are an independent site, and the opinions expressed here are our own.
