XBOX Unveils Nano, a Pocket-Sized Controller for $49.99
Microsoft has a new option for players who find the standard Xbox controller a little too big. The Xbox Nano Controller, revealed on October 14, is now available for pre-order at $49.99 and is scheduled to launch in November.
Microsoft calls it their smallest controller yet. It measures just over five inches long and weighs around 3.5 ounces, but it still includes all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the layout of sticks, triggers, bumpers, and face buttons should feel familiar to anyone who has used an Xbox pad before.
The company is aiming the Nano at younger players, people with smaller hands, and anyone who wants a controller they can slip into a pocket or travel bag. In their announcement, Microsoft positioned it as an easy, affordable way for families to jump into games together, pointing to local co-op titles like Minecraft Dungeons II as an example.
The Nano connects to Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles through Xbox Wireless, and pairs over Bluetooth with Windows 10 and 11 PCs, tablets, iOS and Android phones, and compatible smart TVs. It runs on an internal rechargeable battery, though the official product page notes that the USB-C cable needed for charging is sold separately. A programmable Action Button can be set up through the Xbox Accessories app for shortcuts like screenshots and gameplay capture, and button mapping can be customized there as well.
Pre-orders are open now on Xbox.com. At launch, the controller will be sold in 36 countries and regions, including the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Japan, Australia, some European countries, and Latin America, with more markets planned. Pricing outside the US varies by country.
Players planning to use the Nano on the road should keep in mind that public Wi-Fi in hotels and airports is often unsecured, and a reliable VPN can help protect your accounts while you play.
For more articles like this, check out our Tech News page!