Xbox announced the Nano Controller, a smaller, cheaper device that fits in your pocket. It costs $49.99 and features 18 standard inputs. You can pre-order it today ahead of the November 4 release date. Xbox is limiting purchases to five units per account to help many fans get one easily.
Serving tech enthusiasts for over 25 years.
TechSpot means tech analysis and advice you can trust.
What just happened? Most people agree that the Xbox Wireless Controller is a great device, especially when it comes to connecting to and using it with a PC. But some people find its dimensions a little too large, and the $65 starting price could be lower. Now, Xbox has announced a cheaper, smaller alternative.
Called the Xbox Nano Controller, the company says its size and shape make it an ideal option for people with smaller hands, younger players, or anyone who wants something more portable that fits easily into a pocket.
At $49.99, the Xbox Nano looks like a regular controller with the grips removed and the buttons, sticks, and D-pad layout compressed into a smaller area. All 18 standard Xbox gameplay inputs are included, though, despite the shrunken size.
You can pre-order the Xbox Nano Controller today for $49.99 ahead of its November 4 release date. It's likely to be a prime target for Christmas scalpers, so Xbox is limiting purchases to five units per account.
The controller is just over 5 inches in length and weighs only 3.5 ounces, so it should be very portable and easy to carry around. For comparison, the Xbox Wireless and Elite controllers both measure 6 inches wide and weigh around 10 and 12 ounces, respectively.
The Nano also includes a battery that recharges via USB-C (it doesn't sound like a cable is provided) and a programmable Action Button that can be customized for features like screenshots, gameplay capture, and other frequently used shortcuts. It also supports Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth connectivity, allowing it to connect to compatible PCs, mobile phones, and smart TVs.
Xbox is running a promotion alongside Samsung in the US to introduce a special Xbox Nano Controller. Anyone who buys a select Samsung TV this holiday season will receive one of these devices and a free two-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription (for new members only).
Xbox is also teaming up with Meta for a US holiday promotion that bundles an Xbox Nano Controller and two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new subscribers with the purchase of a Meta Quest headset.