Leaked Xbox controller to feature DualSense-like haptics, rechargeable batteries

Leaked Xbox controller to feature DualSense-like haptics, rechargeable batteries


Microsoft is engaged on a significant revamp to the Xbox controller. The knowledge comes from slides shared with the courtroom as a part of the corporate’s authorized battle with the FTC. The leaked doc options detailed plans of Microsoft’s {hardware} division.

The brand new controller is codenamed Sebile, and essentially the most fascinating factor about it’s that it should comply with the DualSense’s lead in implementing haptic suggestions. Just like the PS5 controller, the subsequent Xbox controller refresh can even characteristic VCA haptics (audio system), and an accelerometer.

Microsoft can also be planning to ship rechargeable (and swappable) batteries with the controller, which is a good suggestion, contemplating how taxing the brand new options are going to be on normal AA batteries. Exterior of anticipated options, like an up to date Bluetooth normal, Sebile can even embrace modular analogue sticks to enhance longevity.

You may as well count on quieter buttons, and a smartphone-like characteristic that enables the controller to be woken up when lifted. Sebile is pencilled in for a summer season 2024 launch, late-Could or early June.

Sebile will value $70. | Picture credit score: Microsoft

Microsoft can also be engaged on a refresh of the Xbox Collection X, codenamed Brooklin. The brand new console doesn’t provide any upgraded energy, but it surely comes with 2TB of built-in storage, a extra eco-friendly redesign, and WiFi 6E.

The large information is that Brooklin doesn’t have a disc drive, which means it should transfer Xbox formally right into a digital-only future. The console refresh is deliberate to launch on the similar present worth of the Collection X – $500.

Exterior of the place the paperwork originated from, what offers these specific plans extra credibility is the very fact they reference bulletins which have already been publicly made. On a slide displaying the way forward for the Xbox model’s {hardware} releases, we see Ellewood – which is the 1TB Xbox Collection S introduced in June.

It kinda seems like a trash can. | Picture credit score: Microsoft

Nonetheless, the plan was seemingly initially to announce each consoles concurrently, with Collection S Carbon Black releasing in September 2024, and the Collection X refresh following on in November. The Collection S refresh has as an alternative landed in September of this yr, and the Collection X refresh has but to be formally introduced. That stated, there’s nonetheless time within the yr for Microsoft to announce/launch Brooklin correctly.

It is also price preserving in thoughts that the Collection S refresh was deliberate to value $300, however ended up retailing for $350. It is clear these slides are a bit outdated, and will have been produced earlier than Microsoft raised Xbox Collection X costs in a number of territories (although not the US).

As at all times, plans do change, and have on this case, at the very least. So it is price taking the information with a pinch of salt.

The outdated timeline. | Picture credit score: Microsoft

As a part of the identical leak, we additionally discovered that Microsoft continues to noticeably contemplate shopping for Nintendo. Past pie within the sky plans, the Microsoft-owned Bethesda label seems to be engaged on Oblivion and Fallout 3 remasters, alongside Arkane’s Dishonored 3.