Xbox Series X Controller Has a New D-Pad and Should Be Easier to Hold

The Xbox Series X controller looks very similar to its predecessor, but has a few key changes, including new buttons, ergonomic changes for those with smaller hands, and better compatibility with non-Xbox devices. In an interview on Xbox Newswire, senior designer Ryan Whitaker went through some of the differences on the very familiar controller. That similarity is key - people are very used to the Xbox controller design, so changes were meant to be evolutionary, rather than wholesale. [widget path="global/article/imagegallery" parameters="albumSlug=xbox-series-x-controller-6-new-images&captions=true"] The biggest difference is in how the controller will now be easier to hold for those with smaller hands. While not immediately noticeably smaller, the team has achieved that effect by "rounding the bumpers, slightly reducing and rounding parts around the triggers, and carefully sculpting the grips." Bumpers and triggers now also have a "tactile dot" pattern not found on standard Xbox One controllers. The new D-pad is designed as a hybrid between the two swappable designs on the Xbox Elite controller. It has a slightly deeper lowest point, allowing the thumb to sit more comfortably inside, and will apparenly allow for easy pressing of up, down, left, right, while also making it easier to perform sweeps or diagonals. [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/16/xbox-series-x-quick-resume-tech-demo"] As previously seen, the controller now has a Share button between and below the View and Menu buttons. It's not clear exactly how it will work in practice, but Whitaker explains that it's designed to allow screenshots or video to be recorded without the need for onscreen menus. The controller will now remember multiple Bluetooth devices to allow for faster connections, and includes Bluetooth Low Energy that should make pairing more simple. The controller now has a USB-C port for pairing and connecting, but wireless latency has also been worked on - "Essentially," says Whitaker, "information is sent more frequently from the controller and matched with exact frames of your game on-screen." [ignvideo url="https://www.ign.com/videos/2020/03/16/xbox-series-x-loading-times-tech-demo"] While we already knew that Xbox One controllers will work on Xbox Series X, the reverse is also confirmed to be true. More PC, Android and iOS devices will be supported by the new controller, too. It's been a big day for Series X news, with the full (and impressive) specs list revealed, a size comparison shown off, and the annoucement of a Gears 5 Series X port (which will be a free upgrade for those that already own it). [poilib element="accentDivider"]