Xbox Without a Console: Microsoft Shows Off a Cloud Gaming Controller
Arkadiy Andrienko
Images and specs of an unannounced Microsoft gamepad designed specifically for Xbox Cloud Gaming have leaked online. Apparently, this isn’t an evolution of the regular controller but a compact model with a direct Wi-Fi connection to cloud servers.
On the outside, the device is noticeably smaller than a standard Xbox gamepad and looks a lot like third-party offerings from the likes of 8BitDo or HyperX. The body lacks prominent grips but keeps the classic layout: asymmetrical sticks, a D-pad, bumpers, and triggers. On the top edge, next to the USB-C port, they’ve placed a pairing button — most likely used for quickly switching between signal sources. The leak shows two color options: black and white.
The main technical difference from Microsoft’s usual controllers is the built-in Wi-Fi module with support for both 2.4 GHz and 5 GHz bands. This lets the gamepad connect straight to Xbox Cloud Gaming servers, skipping an intermediate device like a smartphone, tablet, or PC. Bluetooth 5.3 is also present, so you can use it as a standard wireless gamepad for phones, tablets, and computers whenever needed.
The documentation lists a Realtek RTL8730E chip with two ARM Cortex-A7 cores clocked at 1.2 GHz. Power comes from a built-in 500 mAh rechargeable battery. This is a big deal for the Xbox ecosystem: all mainstream Microsoft controllers have so far run on replaceable AA batteries, with only the premium Elite line offering a built-in battery. Microsoft hasn’t made any official announcements yet. But the context makes sense — the company has been steadily expanding Xbox Cloud Gaming beyond consoles to TVs, tablets, and web browsers.
According to unofficial info, Microsoft is testing free access to cloud gaming with an ad-supported model — a controller with direct Wi-Fi fits right into that picture as a simple, cheap way to jump straight into streaming without needing a gamepad-and-smartphone combo. That said, the leak doesn’t reveal an exact release date or price.
Would you buy a separate gamepad just for the cloud if you already have a regular one at home? Let us know in the comments.
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