Comparing the New Xbox Controller to the Current Iteration

The last 48 hours have been filled with leaks as controllers for the next-generation Xbox console began making their way into the hands of folks outside the walls of Microsoft. Images and videos of these devices have been posted on nearly every single social media platform too.

While we know the controllers are a little bit smaller when compared to the current generation controller, you can begin to see how different the design truly is with this generation.

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For starters, near the top of the controller, the design is flatter compared to the current layout with the area around the Xbox button no longer being recessed or slanted towards the top. The shoulder buttons are also less defined in the design with a less-tapered design near the ends of the controller.

And then there is the obvious update with the D-pad design being carried over from the Elite controller and the new Share button as well.

Microsoft has also said that this controller is a little bit smaller than the current generation as well. In the pictures, you can see the smaller footprint but keep in mind that at different angles, the sizing is hard to compare directly.

When Microsoft first announced the controller, I was optimistic that it would be another quality update for the hardware. While I have yet to see one in person, these pictures make the controller appear to be of lower overall quality as they look like they have lost some of their character and I’m not referring to the colors either.

My hope is that this is in appearance only but Microsoft clearly backed away from some design elements with this iteration they may have lowered the production price to help increase margins.

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Conversation 13 comments

  • Travis

    10 August, 2020 - 10:33 pm

    <p>Can’t tell much from the photos. Look at the Switch Pro Controller. It doesn’t look like much but when you hold it you immediately are drawn to it and is my personal favorite. So we will have to wait and see. </p>

  • scovious

    11 August, 2020 - 1:02 am

    <p>I'll wait for the Elite Series 3 controller. </p>

  • madthinus

    Premium Member
    11 August, 2020 - 3:39 am

    <p>I did not think the controller could be more flimsy…One thing that really set my Xbox One X aside from my Xbox 360 was the cheapness of the controller. </p>

    • Paul Thurrott

      Premium Member
      11 August, 2020 - 8:27 am

      Yeah, it’s tough because this business is financially negative for Microsoft so it clearly has to cut costs where it can.

      • mattbg

        Premium Member
        11 August, 2020 - 5:01 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#560523">In reply to paul-thurrott:</a></em></blockquote><p>Is the Elite controller significantly better-built?</p>

  • Vladimir Carli

    Premium Member
    11 August, 2020 - 6:41 am

    <p>The white controller should be for the series s. Do you think they lowered the production costs for this one but tried to keep a better quality for the controller of series x?</p>

  • blue77star

    11 August, 2020 - 9:08 am

    <p>Great Controllers, regardless of revision.</p><p><br></p><p>Question?</p><p><br></p><p>Did anyone try F1 2020 with one of these controllers, is it playable?</p>

    • Vladimir Carli

      Premium Member
      11 August, 2020 - 12:01 pm

      <blockquote><em><a href="#560544">In reply to blue77star:</a></em></blockquote><p><br></p><p>depends what you mean by playable. Of course it can be played. There are people who are great at playing racing games with controllers and some even claim that they are more competitive with controllers. Others (like myself) who love racing games just can't stand playing them with a controller. To me it makes no sense to play them without a proper wheel and pedals</p>

      • blue77star

        11 August, 2020 - 3:48 pm

        <blockquote><em><a href="#560564">In reply to Vladimir:</a></em></blockquote><p>I agree but some of us cannot afford $300 wheels and pedals setup.</p>

  • bjfrary

    11 August, 2020 - 11:31 am

    <p>"another quality update" Not so sure about that.. I have had more xbox one controller break on me than xbox 360. I have yet to find an xbox one controller that makes a headset scratch with static. That was rarely the case with 360. At keast in my experience</p>

  • bjfrary

    11 August, 2020 - 11:32 am

    <p> I meant doesn't static</p><p><br></p>

  • bleeman

    Premium Member
    11 August, 2020 - 3:51 pm

    <p>My concern is whether or not the smaller size will give me grief with my BIG hands as there are times I find the current ones a bit small. If so, then I'll just hang on to my existing controllers for as long as I can.</p>

  • Salvador Jesús Romero Castellano

    11 August, 2020 - 6:17 pm

    <p>Still no gyro and compass, right? ?</p>

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