Xbox unveils the Nano Controller, its smallest pad, with a built-in battery at $49.99
Xbox has announced the Nano Controller, a pocket-sized pad with a rechargeable battery that goes on pre-order at $49.99 in the US and 49,99 euros in parts of Europe. US shipping is set for 4 November 2026, with wider availability following in November.
Launch and pricing
Xbox unveiled the Nano Controller on Wednesday, 14 October 2026, describing it as the smallest controller in its lineup. Pre-orders opened the same day, and La Razón reports that reservations run through the official Xbox store. The price is $49.99 in the US, while La Razón and BFMTV give 49,99 euros for Spain and France. Engadget says the controller ships in the US on 4 November 2026. The Verge calls it a smaller and cheaper controller than the standard Xbox pad, designed to fit in a pocket.
Size, weight and layout
The controller measures just over five inches (about 12.7 centimetres) in length and weighs 99 grams, according to Spider's Web and La Razón. Engadget gives the weight as 3.5 ounces, and Spider's Web says the body is about 2.5 centimetres shorter than the standard pad. Despite the smaller frame, it keeps all 18 standard buttons, though the thumbs and index fingers sit closer together. Xbox positions the device for younger players, people with smaller hands and anyone who wants a portable pad. A programmable Action Button can be set to take screenshots, record gameplay or run other shortcuts, and The Verge notes that a tiny screen seen in earlier leaks does not appear on the final model.
Battery and connectivity
The biggest change from the standard pad is the built-in rechargeable battery, which removes the need for the two AA cells Microsoft uses in its regular controllers. BFMTV reports that the battery charges over USB-C, and The Verge confirms a USB-C port at the rear along with a pairing button. Connectivity runs over Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, so the controller pairs directly with an Xbox console and also works with PCs, phones and tablets. Engadget adds that it is compatible with iOS and Android devices as well as certain smart TVs. Microsoft has not published a battery life figure, so no official runtime is available from the articles.
Gaming on the go and cloud play
Microsoft highlights cooperative play as a use case, with La Razón citing Minecraft Dungeons II, which supports up to four players locally or online. The company also points to Forza Horizon 6 as a game to play away from the television. BFMTV links the controller to Xbox Game Pass and cloud gaming on smart TVs, Fire TV Stick 4K devices and the Amazon Cube. Xbox Game Pass head Asha Sharma has pushed the idea that any screen can serve as an Xbox, and BFMTV says the company wants to relaunch Game Pass on smartphones and tablets. Engadget reports that cloud gaming time limits begin in November 2026, capping streaming at 15 hours with Game Pass Ultimate unless players buy time credits.
Retail rollout and bundles
La Razón lists the markets where reservations are open as Spain, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, Mexico and Australia. Engadget reports that the controller reaches 35 other countries in November 2026, with other markets to follow later. In the US, Samsung will bundle the controller and two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new subscribers buying select TVs during the holiday season. Engadget adds that a similar offer is in the works for Meta Quest headsets.
- Xbox announces the Nano Controller and opens pre-orders
- US shipping starts
- Controller reaches 35 other countries and cloud gaming time limits take effect
