Xbox Elite Series 3: Leaked Specs Point to Magnetic Sticks and Advanced Haptics

Details of the unannounced Xbox Elite Series 3 controller have leaked online after being discovered in the backend of Xbox's own Design Lab website. Leaving your future product blueprints on your own public customization portal is certainly one way to handle marketing, though perhaps not the one Microsoft's PR team had on their calendar. The datamined details, which initially surfaced on Reddit, suggest a major hardware shift for Microsoft’s premium peripheral line.

What leaked

According to the leaked listings, the Elite Series 3 will feature Hall Effect and Tunnel Magnetoresistance (TMR) analog sticks. Because these technologies rely on magnets rather than physical contact, they eliminate wear and stick drift. Dealing with stick drift on a premium pad has always felt a bit like paying for a gym membership in February—expensive, and ultimately full of regret. The backend wording suggests customers will be able to choose between the two magnet-based options, though it remains unclear what the default version will be.

The leak also references "advanced haptics" that appear to mirror features of the PlayStation 5's DualSense, alongside the return of impulse triggers featuring their own haptics and multi-stage presses. Other listed details include customizable faceplates, multiple d-pad choices, and a dedicated audio scroll wheel.

Microsoft apparently plans to sell two main versions of the controller: "Base" and "Complete." Since both models offer optional haptic motor configurations, the lineup looks to span four distinct products.

The details

• Stick tech: Hall Effect and TMR magnetic analog sticks
• Haptics: Advanced haptic feedback and haptic impulse triggers
• Tiers: Base and Complete versions (four product configurations total)
• Customization: Replaceable faceplates, multiple D-pad options, and a dedicated audio scroll wheel

Why it matters

The Elite series represents Microsoft's high-end hardware tier. According to Xbox retail records, the predecessor Elite Series 2 Core debuted in 2022 for $130 (£115), arriving three years after the main, more expensive version launched at $180 (£160).

This hardware leak comes during a period of massive transition for the brand. Under division leader Asha Sharma, the company has undergone major structural changes, including 268 layoffs at the end of September, according to corporate reports. Those cuts coincided with the migration of the Halo franchise to Activision and the apparent closure of British studio Ninja Theory.

While the level of detail in the leak suggests an official announcement is close, Microsoft has not announced an official release date, platform compatibility, or pricing.