We don’t know what the next-gen Xbox, codenamed “Project Helix” will look like yet, but two fresh leaks could provide some hints on what to expect from its controller.
Portuguese-language gadget blog Tecnoblog (read via machine translation) shared pictures of the two unreleased Xbox controllers. The first is a third edition model of the Xbox Elite gamepad and the second is one that seems built exclusively for Xbox Cloud Gaming. The leaks stem from Anatel, Brazil’s telecommunications regulatory agency, so they’re likely real, though whether they make it to market is an open question.
The supposed Xbox Elite 3 controller maintains the classic dual sticks, a dish-shaped D-pad, and back paddles. The refreshed high-end gamepad also has what appears to be two scroll wheels on the bottom. Tecnoblog hazards a guess that these wheels could be used in Microsoft Flight Simulator for throttle control. That makes sense, but it also doesn’t seem like the type of control you can easily hit without forming a crab claw with your fingers to reach below the controller.
BREAKING Xbox Elite Serie 3 Controller Potentially Leaked
-two new scroll wheels on bottom of controller -removable rechargeable battery (1,528mAh vs. Elite 2's 2,050maH)
-New pair button to switch local mode/cloud mode
Via Tecnoblog pic.twitter.com/HK8FTFyqY3
— Chito (@ChitoGamingLive) May 14, 2026
I have another theory. These wheels could be used to navigate the upcoming Xbox UI. Project Helix will likely run on a version of Windows 11 to access your Xbox games as well as any other PC game launcher, like Steam or the Epic Games Store. Current controllers lack an easy way to scroll down pages without a mouse wheel. Even in Microsoft’s new Xbox Mode for PC, you still have to navigate the big, blocky Windows 11 menus to change display or sound settings. Because they’re out of the way, those scroll wheels will have very, very few use cases in games themselves.
This controller also has an extra pairing button that seemingly lets you switch between a local connection and Wi-Fi for Xbox Cloud Gaming. For those capabilities, the controller seems to sacrifice battery life, going from a 2,050mAh removable battery to 1,528mAh.
Este é o novo controle da Microsoft para Xbox Cloud Gaming https://t.co/P27j4Rn0M2
— Tecnoblog (@Tecnoblog) May 14, 2026
The cloud-focused gamepad seems like an odd duckling. The controller first seems akin to the 8BitDo SN30 controller, a squat, oval-shaped gamepad built for playing on mobile platforms or in the cloud. It maintains a small semblance of Xbox-like grips on the underside, but in my experience these compact controllers are better off with rounded corners and flat backs.
This more compact controller might come with 2.4GHz and 5GHz connectivity bands over Wi-Fi 6, and should support Bluetooth 5.3, according to Tecnoblog. There’s also a button on top of the controller that will supposedly switch connectivity modes, which may help reduce latency when cloud gaming.
These cloud-centric controllers seem like they were built for the previous era of Xbox before the current Xbox CEO, Asha Sharma, started pushing hardware again. Now is not the time for baby steps. The Steam Controller offers a better way to navigate PC environments with its two haptic trackpads. Valve’s gamepad looks funky, but it’s pushing the boundaries of the console play experience. Xbox shouldn’t be afraid to get weird with its next-gen gamepad, so long as it’s comfortable to hold and use.
