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Months after it turned up at a Brazilian telecommunications body, the Xbox Elite Series 3 controller has made a second appearance. Photos posted to Reddit's /r/controller community (and republished by Tom Warren at The Verge) show a gamepad that matches the previous leak exactly, while adding new details, making this highly likely to be the new Microsoft controller - or a very good hoax.
If accurate, the Elite Series 3 looks to have a redesigned circular eight-way d-pad, a profile button between Start and Select, and revamped grips that take a more curved route along the front of the controller. Most critically, there's an LED display at the top of the device, which is being obscured in the photos but seems to be displaying a web address - perhaps for pairing purposes.
The controller comes with a new, rounder box - versus the trapezoidal shape of the Series 2 - with a more rounded charging dock. The reverse of the controller is also shown, revealing an easily removable battery pack that ought to comply with EU legislation like the recent Joy-Con revisions and slightly longer paddles than the previous model. Lockable (and more textured) triggers are also shown, with a nice sideways movement in comparison to the vertically lock on Series 2.
Screen aside, it's not a huge departure from the Series 2 model, but significantly different enough to warrant a whole new numbered version rather than a silent revision.
We'd also expect the new Elite to sport TMR or HE sticks and triggers, as this newer tech is less susceptible to stick drift and other durability problems over time - while also allowing for tighter dead zones and therefore greater precision.
What's on your wishlist for a new Xbox Elite controller? Let me know in the comments below.