Microsoft Enters the Pocket Controller Race with 99-Gram Gamepad

ICTNews reports – On October 13 and 14, 2026 (October 21 and 22, 1405 solar), Microsoft unveiled its new controller, the Xbox Nano. Designed for mobile gamers and travel enthusiasts, the gamepad measures just over 12.7 centimeters in length and weighs 99 grams, and from November 4 […]

ICTNews report - Microsoft unveiled its new controller called Xbox Nano on October 13 and 14, 2026 (October 21 and 22, 1405). This gamepad, which is designed for mobile gamers and travel enthusiasts, has a length of slightly more than 12.7 cm and a weight of 99 grams, and will be available in 36 global markets from November 4. The pre-sale of this product has started from the same date of introduction.

The smallest controller in the history of Xbox

At 12.7 cm long, Xbox Nano is the smallest controller in the history of Xbox. To better understand the dimensions, the standard Xbox One Wireless controller is about 6 inches long, while the Nano is about 5 inches. Its weight of 99 grams is lighter and more compact than most modern smartphones.

Microsoft has designed this product for younger players, people with smaller hands, and those looking to play on the go.

All standard inputs in a small body

Despite the small dimensions, all 18 standard inputs of Xbox controllers are kept in the body and the familiar arrangement of these controllers is available to players. This means that users can enjoy the same familiar experience of Xbox controllers without having to learn a new layout.

Rechargeable battery and dual connections

This controller uses an internal rechargeable battery through the USB-C port and no longer requires pen batteries. However, the USB-C cable is not included in the box and must be purchased separately. Microsoft has not yet announced the battery life of this product.

Xbox Nano supports simultaneous Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth and can be connected to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles, Windows PCs, tablets, iOS and Android phones, and compatible smart TVs.

Programmable Action Button

A new, customizable button is built into the controller that can be set to capture a screenshot, record gameplay, or other commonly used shortcuts. This button allows users to record photos or videos of important moments without leaving the game.

Removing the display and Wi-Fi from the final version

Contrary to initial reports from documents filed in Brazil that mentioned Wi-Fi 6 and a 500 mAh battery, Microsoft in its official announcement only mentioned Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi is not present in the final product. Also, the prototypes leaked in early 2026 had a small display to show the status of the cloud connection or the console, but this display has also been removed in the final product.

The price of Xbox Nano has been announced in the US for $49.99 and in the UK for £44.99. This product will be available in 36 markets from November 4, 2026, including America, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, Germany, France, Japan, South Korea and China.

The price of this product in Japan is 8,000 yen (tax included), in China 329 yuan and in Brazil R$ 379.

Microsoft has partnered with Samsung and Meta to give new members a Nano controller and two months of Game Pass Ultimate subscriptions to buyers of select Samsung TVs or Meta Quest headsets in the US.

At $49.99, the Xbox Nano is more expensive than competing handheld controllers like the CRKD Atom+ at $29.99 and the 8BitDo Lite 2 at $34.99. However, native support for Xbox Wireless and a built-in battery could justify some of this price difference.

The introduction of the Xbox Nano represents an important strategic shift in Microsoft's approach to the gaming peripherals market. Until now, the company has mainly focused on standard and flagship controllers like the Xbox Elite Series 2. But now, entering the pocket controller market, it competes directly with specialized brands in this field, such as 8BitDo and CRKD.

The smart thing in the design of this product is to keep all the standard inputs in a small body. Many pocket controllers on the market remove or change the layout of some buttons or analogs due to space constraints. But Microsoft has managed to maintain a balance between smallness and efficiency.

However, the controller's $49.99 price tag could be limiting for some users compared to cheaper competitors like the CRKD Atom+ ($29.99). Also, the lack of vibration, impulse triggers and headphone jack may be a weakness for professional gamers who are used to these features.

Overall, the Xbox Nano is designed for users looking for a portable, lightweight, and Ecosys-compatible controller

They are xbox themes. If Microsoft can deliver on the performance promises of this product, it could gain a significant share of the handheld controller market.