Microsoft announced the Xbox Nano Controller today. It costs $49.99 and starts shipping in November. The smaller controller is built for portable play, but the final shipping model drops the tiny screen that had appeared in the leak.
Xbox Nano Controller at $49.99
The Xbox Nano Controller is Microsoft’s smallest controller. It is just over five inches long, which puts it shorter than most smartphones and makes the pocket-friendly pitch more literal than most accessory launches.
Microsoft says it is aimed at younger players, smaller hands, and anyone who wants something portable for play on the go. That framing matters because the product is not trying to replace a full-size controller for every session.
Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth support
The controller keeps regular buttons like a normal Xbox controller. It supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, so it can connect to Xbox consoles, phones, tablets, and PCs without changing the basic control layout.
Microsoft also added a programmable Action Button. The button can be customized for screenshots, gameplay capture, and other Xbox shortcuts, which gives the small controller a few extra functions without adding a screen.
USB-C and the missing screen
The final shipping model includes a USB-C port at the rear and a pairing button. It also includes a rechargeable battery, so it does not require AA batteries or a separate charging pack.
The earlier leak showed what looked like a tiny screen for cloud or console connectivity, but that display is not part of the model Microsoft is selling. The cleaner hardware package leaves one practical question hanging: how long the rechargeable battery will last in real use.
