Xbox Nano controller shrinks the gamepad to pocket size for $49.99
Key takeaways
- The Xbox Nano Controller costs $49.99 and goes on sale in November.
- It is just over 5 inches long and weighs 3.5 ounces.
- It keeps all 18 standard inputs and has a rechargeable battery.
Xbox has made its smallest controller ever. It is called the Xbox Nano Controller. It fits in a pocket.
It costs less than a standard Xbox gamepad.
Xbox announced the Nano on October 14. Pre-orders opened the same day. The controller goes on sale in November.
It is aimed at younger players, smaller hands, and play on the go.
The idea is simple. A full controller can feel big. It can feel heavy for small hands.
The Nano keeps the same layout. It just shrinks the size.
What happened
Xbox unveiled the Nano Controller on Xbox Wire. The post calls it portable, pocketable, and capable. The design fits nearly every pocket and budget, according to Xbox.
The size is the headline. The Nano is a little over 5 inches long. It weighs just 3.5 ounces.
Xbox says it is lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones. It is the smallest controller in the Xbox lineup.
But small does not mean stripped down. The Nano has all 18 standard gameplay inputs. That means it has the same buttons, sticks, and triggers players already know.
The layout feels familiar. The hands just hold a smaller shape.
The price is $49.99 in the United States. In the United Kingdom, the price is 44.99 pounds, according to Pure Xbox. Pre-orders are open now.
The controller ships in the United States on November 4, according to Engadget. It will be available in 35 other countries next month.
Xbox lists 36 launch markets in total. The list includes the United States, Canada, Mexico, Brazil, and much of Europe. It also includes Japan, Korea, Australia, and New Zealand.
More markets will follow later, according to Xbox.
Why it matters
A smaller controller solves a real problem. Many kids struggle with a full-size gamepad. Their hands get tired.
Their thumbs cannot reach the sticks with ease. A smaller pad can make games more fun for them.
It also helps with travel. A standard controller takes up space in a bag. The Nano slips into a pocket or a small bag.
You can bring it to a friend's house. You can bring it on a trip. You can play on a phone, a tablet, or a TV.
The Nano is not just for kids. It is for anyone who wants a second controller. It is for anyone who plays on the go.
It is for anyone who finds a full-size pad too big.
The price matters too. At $49.99, the Nano is cheaper than a standard Xbox controller. It gives families a low-cost way to add a second player.
It gives gift buyers a clear option for the holidays.
There is also a timing story. The holiday season is near. Xbox is pairing the Nano with two bundle deals.
One is with Samsung. The other is with Meta. Both deals add two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members.
That could put the Nano in many homes this winter.
What is inside
The Nano runs on a rechargeable battery. It does not use AA batteries. That is a change from the standard Xbox controller, which uses AA batteries by default.
You charge the Nano instead of swapping batteries.
One catch is in the box. The Nano does not ship with a USB-C charging cable, according to Pure Xbox. You will need your own cable to charge it.
That is worth knowing before you buy. Most homes already have a USB-C cable. But if you do not, you will need one.
The Nano has a programmable Action Button. You can set it up in the Xbox Accessories app. You can use it for screenshots.
You can use it for gameplay capture. You can use it for other shortcuts you use a lot. It is a small touch.
It can save time.
The controller connects with Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth. That means it works with Xbox consoles and PCs. It also works with iOS and Android phones and tablets.
It works with some smart TVs too. That broad support is key. The Nano is not locked to one screen.
Xbox also points to cloud gaming. With the Xbox app on Samsung TVs, players can stream games. The Nano pairs with that setup.
It turns a TV into a games machine with no console.
What happens next
Pre-orders are open now. The United States gets the Nano on November 4. The other 35 launch markets get it in November.
More markets will follow after that.
Two bundle deals arrive this holiday season. Samsung will bundle the Nano with two months of Game Pass Ultimate for new members. The deal applies to select Samsung TV purchases in the United States.
Meta will offer a similar bundle with Meta Quest headsets in the United States. Both deals give new members two months of Game Pass Ultimate.
There is one more thing to watch. Xbox is adding time limits to cloud gaming next month, according to Engadget. Game Pass Ultimate members will get 15 hours of cloud play per month.
After that, they will need to buy time credits. That change affects cloud play on TVs and headsets. It does not affect games played on a console or PC.
For now, the Nano is a simple pitch. It is smaller. It is lighter.
It is cheaper. It keeps the full set of controls. If you want a pocket-size pad for a kid, a trip, or a second player, it is worth a look.
The PlayStation Plus October catalog also lands this month with nine new games. Xbox fans can compare it with the latest Xbox streaming news. A classic remake is also in the news.
The Ocarina of Time remake is drawing fresh attention.
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