Xbox is preparing a new controller for 2026

Microsoft will renew its control before the next generation.

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Xbox won’t wait for the next generation to make a move in hardware. According to a new report, Microsoft will launch a new version of its official controller throughout 2026, which represents the biggest adjustment to the control since the debut of Xbox Series.

The information comes at a key moment for the brand, just as Xbox continues to strengthen its bet on cloud gaming, PC, and hybrid devices. Everything suggests that this new controller won’t be just a redesign, but a piece designed to accompany the evolution of the current ecosystem.

An Xbox controller designed to reduce latency in Cloud Gaming

Microsoft has given the green light to next-generation controllers with integrated Wi-Fi connectivity, a feature specifically designed to reduce latency in Xbox Cloud Gaming. This improvement would allow for a more direct connection to servers, avoiding some of the current limitations of Bluetooth.

• This project is not new. Internally, the controller (known for years under the codename Sebile) was initially planned for 2024, along with a revision of Xbox Series X that was ultimately canceled. After that change of plans, the development of the new controller would have continued in the background until now fixing its release in 2026.

For now, only the improvement related to connectivity and latency has been confirmed. Features that were leaked in the past, such as advanced haptic feedback, modular joysticks, or integrated rechargeable battery, have not been mentioned in this new report, so their inclusion remains in the air.

• The same report also recalls the rumors about an Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, which could debut this year and fit with the arrival of this new generation of controllers. Without official confirmation from Microsoft, everything remains pending future announcements, but the movement fits with Xbox’s strategy to strengthen its hardware before the generational leap planned for 2027.

For now, it’s best to remain cautious, but everything indicates that 2026 will be an important year for Xbox controllers, even without a new console on the immediate horizon.