Leaked details suggest specs for upcoming Xbox Elite Controller 3
A Reddit user digging through Microsoft's Xbox Design Lab backend has surfaced apparent details about a next Elite controller, codenamed Edessa, pointing to Hall-effect or TMR sticks and upgraded haptics. The device reportedly comes in several configurations and may launch soon.
A Reddit user going by esketitethan says they found configuration records and 16 3D component models inside the backend of Xbox Design Lab, Microsoft's online tool for customizing the Elite Series 2 and other controllers. According to the post, the data points to an upcoming controller codenamed Edessa, linked to an accessory or customization product called Beatrice.
The original source files the leaker cited appear to have since been removed, so the information cannot be independently confirmed.
What the leak suggests
The current Elite Series 2 uses potentiometer-based analog sticks, which are prone to drift over time. The leaked data suggests the next model could offer a choice between Hall-effect and TMR stick technology, implying different magnetic-sensing methods and stick resistance options for users to pick from.
The leak also points to upgraded haptics using what are described as VCA (voice-coil actuator) motors, which could bring more advanced vibration feedback in the body and triggers, similar in concept to Sony's DualSense controllers for PlayStation 5, rather than the traditional rumble motors used before.
Other features mentioned include multiple D-pad styles — standard, cross-shaped and a grippy, faceted design — a dedicated audio scroll wheel, several faceplate finishes (metal, anodized designs and a wide range of colors with engraving options), low-friction and quieter sticks, multiple paddle shapes, and roughly 27 possible combinations of toppers and paddles. The leak also references four separate product configurations, including versions called "Elite Complete" and "Elite Base," each offered with or without haptic motors.
Some Reddit users questioned whether Microsoft would actually build its own drift-resistant Hall-effect sticks, while others criticized the continued absence of a built-in gyroscope. The current Elite Series 2 has been on the market for seven years, and earlier leaks — including an apparent accidental sale of a real unit — suggest a successor could be announced before long.
