Someone spent $200 on a mysterious Xbox controller and might have received the Elite Series 3.
The OfferUp find seems to be an unannounced Microsoft prototype, showcasing a small screen that we haven't encountered before.
The next Xbox Elite controller may have surfaced in a rather unofficial manner. A Reddit user, ssuberlex, who has since deleted their post, claimed to have purchased a mystery Xbox controller on OfferUp for $200, which resembles a Microsoft prototype that hasn't been released yet.
Images show a compact integrated screen alongside hardware that looks like the previously identified Xbox Elite Series 3 design, revealed through Brazilian regulatory documents. The controller is also marked as not for sale and features placeholder regulatory details, which adds credibility to the prototype theory.
However, its new owner hasn't been able to play games with it just yet, as the controller currently cannot connect to an Xbox or PC, whether wired or wirelessly, according to the Reddit post.
The $200 purchase included the tiny display, which is the most surprising aspect. It seems to display an Xbox console along with an Xbox Cloud Gaming icon, suggesting a potential function for switching between local and cloud gaming connections. Microsoft has not clarified the intended purpose of the screen.
Additionally, there are two scroll-wheel-style controls located along the bottom edge. These controls were previously seen in Anatel regulatory documents from May, creating a link between this unusual marketplace acquisition and hardware that had appeared months prior.
The earlier Anatel leak strengthens the case for the OfferUp controller being more than just a personal custom build. The distinct lower controls are present in both image sets, and the regulatory information hinted at another premium Xbox controller being in development.
Despite this, there remains a distinction between a credible prototype and a finalized Elite Series 3. Hardware can change significantly before its release, especially since the unit in question is apparently non-functional for connecting to other devices.
As of now, Microsoft has yet to confirm the Xbox Elite Series 3, leaving details regarding its name, the screen's function, and its retail design still uncertain. The Verge has reported that Microsoft intends to launch a new Elite controller in 2026, but it’s unclear if this specific version will ever be available for purchase.
The next significant update will likely come from Microsoft. Until that happens, the primary question remains whether the small display will transition from an OfferUp curiosity to an actual retail Xbox controller.
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Paulo Vargas is an English major who transitioned into reporting and technical writing, with a career that has consistently circled back to...
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Someone spent $200 on a mysterious Xbox controller and might have received the Elite Series 3.
According to reports, an individual allegedly purchased a mystery Xbox controller on OfferUp for $200, and the supposed Microsoft prototype might be an early version of the Elite Series 3 that features a small integrated display.
