XBOX’s Newest Nano Controller Is Smaller Than Your Phone

Summary

XBOX has introduced the Nano Controller, its most compact gamepad yet at just over five inches long and 3.5 ounces

The shrunken shell still packs every one of the 18 standard inputs found on a full-size XBOX controller

A rechargeable battery and a programmable Action Button bring modern conveniences to an entry-level design

XBOX has unveiled the XBOX Nano Controller, a pocket-sized gamepad that ranks as the brand’s smallest controller to date, measuring a little over 5 inches long and weighing only 3.5 ounces, which makes it both shorter and lighter than most current smartphones. XBOX describes the new pad in its announcement as “designed to fit nearly every pocket and budget,” pitching it at newcomers, younger players and anyone gaming away from the couch.

Downsizing doesn’t come at the cost of controls. The Nano retains all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the layout feels immediately familiar to anyone who has held an XBOX pad before. The compact footprint is the main point of difference, and Microsoft’s own store listing frames it as a rechargeable, entry-level option sized for smaller hands so the entire family can join in.

Power and customization get modern updates as well. A built-in rechargeable battery replaces disposable cells, and a programmable Action Button can be assigned to functions such as screenshots, gameplay capture and other go-to shortcuts. Beyond that single button, players can remap controls through the XBOX Accessories app.

The bigger story is where XBOX expects the Nano to be used. Rather than positioning it purely as a console accessory, the brand is tying it to cloud gaming on screens that never needed a dedicated box. Through a partnership with Samsung, buyers of select Samsung TVs in the US this holiday season can get a special Nano Controller alongside two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members. Since the XBOX app runs inside the Gaming Hub on those TVs, players in select regions can tap their monthly cloud playtime to stream hundreds of Game Pass titles simply by pairing the controller.

That strategy extends into VR. XBOX is also working with Meta on a US holiday offer that pairs a Nano Controller and a two-month Game Pass Ultimate subscription for new members with a Meta Quest purchase. Taken together, the bundles turn the Nano into a low-friction entry point for the platform, a controller small enough to toss in a bag and cheap enough to sit next to a TV or headset as the default way into XBOX’s library.

Pre-orders for the XBOX Nano Controller are open now via the Microsoft Store.