Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 leaked: Hall Effect and TMR sticks via Spectrum
IGN says leaked Spectrum files point to a possible Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 with Hall Effect and TMR sticks, an audio scroll wheel, and extra paddles.
The leak mentions several possible controller options, including Hall Effect sticks, TMR sticks, an audio scroll wheel, and extra paddle designs. Microsoft has not officially announced the controller.
IGN places the new report in the same rumor stream as an earlier leak from August 2026, when alleged prototype photos appeared on Reddit. Those images were not confirmed by Microsoft either.
What happened
According to IGN, configuration files have surfaced that point to a new premium controller from Microsoft for Xbox and PC. The files are said to have come from Spectrum, the platform behind Xbox Design Lab, and were later removed. That makes this a leak that was not published by Microsoft itself, but circulated through a third-party source.
In those files, the article says, there are references to two stick technologies: Hall Effect and TMR, or tunneling magnetoresistance. There are also said to be options for an audio scroll wheel and multiple designs for the paddles on the back of the controller. IGN describes these as possible configuration options, not final product specifications.
The report matters because the Xbox Elite line has long been Microsoft’s premium controller family for Xbox and PC. The current generation is the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, which already offers extensive customization. The new leak suggests Microsoft may want to push even further with a Series 3, adding more hardware options and customization, but that remains unconfirmed for now.
IGN links the new leak to an earlier report from August 2026, when alleged prototype photos of an Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 appeared on Reddit. According to the article, that earlier leak revealed less about how the controller would work or what features it would include than the new configuration files. Microsoft has not confirmed either report and has not officially revealed the controller.
Because these are leaked files, it is unclear whether the listed options are complete, current, or representative of a final version. The source of the files, their removal, and the lack of an official response mean the information should still be treated as rumor for now.
Timeline
August 2026 — According to IGN, alleged prototype photos of an Xbox Elite Controller Series 3 appear on Reddit; Microsoft does not respond officially.
2026-10-06 — IGN reports new leaked Spectrum configuration files referencing Hall Effect sticks, TMR sticks, an audio scroll wheel, and extra paddle options.
After the leak is published — According to IGN, the files are taken offline, making the source and completeness of the information impossible to verify publicly.
2026-10-06 — IGN places the new report alongside the earlier August leak and stresses that Microsoft has not announced the controller.
Background
The Xbox Elite series is Microsoft’s premium line of Xbox and PC controllers. The current generation, the Xbox Elite Wireless Controller Series 2, is known for extensive customization, including swappable parts and extra buttons. Rumors about a Series 3 therefore center on whether Microsoft will expand the line with new hardware options.
The mentioned Hall Effect and TMR sticks are notable because both technologies are often discussed in relation to precision and wear resistance. In the leak, they are presented as possible choices within a configuration system, which could suggest Microsoft is testing different versions or builds. That is an interpretation of the leaked files, however, not a confirmed product spec.
The reference to an audio scroll wheel also fits the picture of a controller with more adjustable functions. IGN also mentions multiple paddle designs, which aligns with the Elite line’s existing focus on extra rear controls. The current information only says such options appear in the files; it does not say how they would be implemented in a final retail version.
The earlier August leak on Reddit is used by IGN as context to show that rumors about a Series 3 have been circulating for some time. According to the article, that earlier report mainly offered alleged prototype photos, while the new Spectrum files point more toward concrete configuration options. Even so, this second report remains unconfirmed, since Microsoft has made no official announcement and the files have now been taken offline.
For now, the key takeaway is that another trail has appeared pointing to an Xbox Elite Controller Series 3, but the authenticity and completeness of the leaked information have not been established. Until Microsoft confirms anything, Hall Effect sticks, TMR sticks, an audio scroll wheel, and new paddle designs remain speculative.