Microsoft has announced the Xbox Nano Controller, a pocket-sized wireless gamepad that costs $49.99 and is up for pre-order now. Revealed on Xbox Wire on October 14, it is the smallest controller Xbox has made, with a built-in rechargeable battery and Bluetooth so it works on phones, PCs and smart TVs as well as Xbox consoles. Engadget and VGC report that it ships in the US on November 4.
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Xbox Nano Controller price and release date
Pre-orders opened on the day of the announcement through the official Xbox store page. Here are the key details:
| Detail | Xbox Nano Controller |
|---|---|
| US price | $49.99 |
| UK price | £44.99 (per VGC) |
| Pre-orders | Open now (from October 14, 2026) |
| US release | November 4, 2026 (per Engadget and VGC) |
| Launch markets | 36 countries and regions from November, more to follow |
| Size and weight | A little over 5 inches long, 3.5 ounces |
| Battery | Internal, rechargeable (USB-C cable sold separately) |
| Connectivity | Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth |
According to Xbox Wire, the launch markets include the US, UK, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, Korea, China, Brazil, Mexico and much of Europe. Pricing outside the US varies by country.
Features: what the Nano keeps and what it drops
Despite its size, Microsoft says the Nano has all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the layout matches a regular Xbox pad. It also adds a programmable Action Button. By default this can take screenshots or capture gameplay clips, and you can reassign it, along with the other buttons, in the Xbox Accessories app.
The biggest practical change is power. The Nano has an internal rechargeable battery, while the standard Xbox Wireless Controller still runs on AA batteries unless you buy a rechargeable pack separately. One catch is listed in the store page’s tech specs: the box includes only the controller, and the USB-C cable you need to charge it is sold separately. Microsoft hasn’t published a battery life figure.
VGC puts the standard Wireless Controller at about 6 inches long and 10 ounces, so the Nano is a little shorter and much lighter. Xbox describes it as shorter and lighter than most modern smartphones, and pitches it at younger players, people with smaller hands, and anyone who wants a controller for a bag or a pocket.
Not everyone is sold on the price. Windows Central points out that at $49.99 it doesn’t have Hall effect or TMR thumbsticks, which resist stick drift, and that it connects to cloud gaming only through Xbox Wireless or Bluetooth rather than directly over Wi-Fi.
Which devices does the Xbox Nano Controller work with?
The official compatibility list covers Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10 and 11 PCs, Android and iOS. Bluetooth also lets it pair with tablets and compatible smart TVs. If you already play on your phone with a console pad, our guide to using controllers on Android and iOS explains how Bluetooth pairing works.
Samsung TV and Meta Quest bundles
The Nano is clearly aimed at cloud gaming on screens that aren’t consoles. In the US, Xbox is partnering with Samsung on a holiday offer: buy a select Samsung TV and get a Nano Controller plus two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members. Players can then use the Xbox app in Samsung’s Gaming Hub to stream Game Pass games. A similar US offer with Meta pairs the controller and two months of Game Pass Ultimate with a Meta Quest purchase.
Cloud play on those devices now comes with limits. Xbox Wire mentions members’ “monthly cloud playtime”, and Engadget reports that from next month, Game Pass Ultimate will cover 15 hours of cloud streaming on a TV, Quest or similar device unless you buy extra time credits. That matters if a bundle is your main way to play. For the bigger picture of where Game Pass has been heading, see our earlier piece on Take-Two’s view of day-one Game Pass releases.
What’s next
The Nano launches in the US on November 4, with the other launch markets following during November. Fans who want a premium pad may want to wait: VGC reports that details of an apparent Xbox Elite Series 3 controller leaked last week through the Xbox Design Lab site, including a choice of Hall effect or TMR sticks. Microsoft hasn’t announced it, so treat that as a leak until it’s confirmed. If you’re weighing up a console to go with your new controller, our PS5 vs Xbox Series X comparison covers the basics.
Sources: Xbox Wire, Xbox.com product page, Engadget, VGC, Windows Central.
Featured image: Microsoft
