Introduction

I bought my very first PC controller, the wired Xbox 360 controller, over a decade ago. It has moved with me across continents multiple times and still works fine for when I need to pull it out. It has not happened in a while, however, with there being many quality of life improvements that have come along since with the Xbox One controller and premium Xbox Elite Series 2 controller we recently saw. I had mentioned then that the Xbox Elite Series 2 needed a price cut to be competitive in a world where the baseline has improved since, especially with the advent of the Xbox Series X|S consoles in Nov 2020 with a new controller alongside. Thanks to Microsoft for sending TechPowerUp a review sample as we aim to find out just how well this new controller performs.


If you thought the naming scheme of the new consoles was confusing, allow me to present you the Xbox Wireless Controller. Based on name alone, this could be any of a range of first-party controllers released in 2016 or 2020, with the only way to know for sure the colors. You may have noticed from the thumbnail above that I have the Shock Blue version, not to be confused with the Xbox Wireless Controller- Blue which is an older-generation Xbox One controller. The color on the newer one is clearly darker, but the button layout is also different, and the back is white. Either way, this is my way of telling you that the controllers need a better name, which is why I am referring to this as the Series X|S controller. There are five stock color options, and a few custom options too, so I went with something other than the usual black. Without further ado, let's begin the review with a look at the specifications in the table below.

Specifications

Packaging and Accessories

Microsoft operates a web shop for its Xbox brand through which the Xbox wireless controllers can be purchased. This sample was sent directly from Microsoft, so we begin with a look at the shipping packaging consisting of an appropriately sized cardboard box with a good amount of paper packing material all around the actual product box. No complaints here since the product box arrived in perfect condition.


The product box has a plastic wrap, removing which we are greeted to a box that is color coordinated to match the controller inside. There is a hang tag at the top for brick and mortar stores, making it quite simple to identify the controller you want if various options are available. On the front is the Xbox logo along with a render of the controller itself, and the color is mentioned to avoid the potential confusions with previous-generation controllers discussed before. There are more renders on the back along with listed features, and the Xbox logo making an entry on the side, where we also see a tear-away seal that holds the box together.


Cut into the seal, which is easily done with fingers alone, and you can lift up the lid to access the contents inside. The controller is seen right away, placed inside a shaped cardboard layer. Lift it up and you will see a smaller recess with two batteries and the Xbox logo below. A hole in the top layer helps remove it and access the bottom layer, which has the paperwork, including a code to try out Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, which is amazing value even on the PC, by the way. A regulatory guide has also been included, but more useful is the quick start guide in multiple languages that goes over the setup, pairing, charging, and customization options. You do not get a cable or wireless adapter, so be aware of this lest these are critical to you.