Xbox Nano compact controller gets positive reviews, with feature gaps noted
Microsoft's pocket-sized Xbox Nano controller, on sale from 4 November, was reviewed by The Verge and Radio Times. Both liked its comfort and feel but flagged a missing feature: vibration for The Verge, a headphone jack for Radio Times.
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The story, neutrally told
Left · 1Microsoft's Xbox Nano is a compact controller, just over 5 inches long and weighing 101 grams, which The Verge's Tom Warren said is small enough to slip into a pocket unnoticed. The VergeLC “at 101 grams (0.22 pounds) it’s still really lightweight”“At just over 5 inches long, almost everything on this controller has been shrunk down somehow.” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The Verge says it was designed for younger people or anyone with smaller hands. Its reviewer, who has small hands, found it surprisingly comfortable over long sessions and credited its grips, but expected it not to suit everyone. The VergeLC “it has been designed specifically for younger people, or for anyone with smaller hands.”“I’d expect the Nano controller won’t be well-suited to everyone.” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The Verge describes smaller ABXY buttons and thumbsticks, while the D-pad and Xbox button are unchanged. It also notes smaller analog triggers with more of a click than on a standard Xbox controller, and bumpers that feel less clicky. The VergeLC “The ABXY buttons are ever so slightly smaller than a regular Xbox controller, and the thumbsticks feel like miniature versions.”“they have more of a click when you bottom them out compared with the thud on a bigger Xbox controller” Read at The Verge ↗
Left · 1On battery, The Verge's early impression was that it drains about 10 percent in 30 to 40 minutes, far less than the 30 hours quoted for a rechargeable pack on the larger controller. It charges quickly over USB-C, going from 30 to 60 percent in under 10 minutes, and can be used while charging. The VergeLC “it seems to drain around 10 percent in around 30 to 40 minutes”“I could get from 30 percent to 60 percent charge in less than 10 minutes” Read at The Verge ↗ Left · 1The Verge's one wish was vibration support, which it guessed is absent because of battery impact, noting that even Nintendo's smaller Joy-Con have rumble. The VergeLC “The only thing missing on the Nano controller that I would have loved is vibration support.” Read at The Verge ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times' Rob Leane, using a unit Xbox sent, was also impressed. They praised the thumbsticks, D-pad and face buttons as premium, found the small LB and RB bumpers took some getting used to, and likened it to a single Switch Joy-Con. They missed no button presses in short FC 27 matches. Radio TimesN “the thumbsticks really surprised me. They feel great, as does the D-pad, as do the face buttons.”“Playing on the Nano reminded me a of playing on an individual Switch Joy-Con.”“I wasn’t missing any button presses at all” Read at Radio Times ↗
Centre · 1Radio Times reports it works on Xbox, PC, iOS and Android but not on Steam Deck, which the box doesn't claim to support. Its main criticism is the lack of a 3mm audio jack, which rules out wired headphones when playing on public transport. Radio TimesN “it works on Xbox and PC, as well as iOS and Android”“it doesn’t have a 3mm audio jack” Read at Radio Times ↗ Centre · 1Radio Times is unsure who the controller is for, suggesting retro gamers, people with small hands, frequent travellers, or families wanting a cheap extra multiplayer pad. It still calls it cheap, good-looking and capable. Radio TimesN “I'm not quite sure who this thing is for, though, truth be told.”“It's cheap, it does the job, and it even looks good propped up on a shelf.” Read at Radio Times ↗ Mixed · 2The Nano was due on sale on 4 November at $49.99 in the US, and Radio Times lists a UK recommended price of £44.99. The VergeLC “The Xbox Nano controller will be available on November 4th, priced at $49.99.” Read at The Verge ↗ Radio TimesN “it's pretty affordable at an RRP of £44.99 here in the UK” Read at Radio Times ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Hands-on impressions framed around comfort and ergonomics for small hands and children.
- Emphasis
- Size, grips, trigger feel, battery drain and fast charging, and the missing vibration.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Platform compatibility and the lack of a headphone jack.
- Charged language
- “surprisingly comfortable”
- For example
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“I’ve been surprised at how comfortable the Nano is during gaming sessions.” — The Verge
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- Consumer-style review that praises the build and price, with a headline focused on one missing feature.
- Emphasis
- Button quality, compatibility across devices, the absent 3mm audio jack and the question of its audience.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Battery life and charging speed, and vibration support.
- Charged language
- “cute”“little trinket”
- For example
-
“one missing feature on the Xbox Nano Controller that does hold it back in my estimation - it doesn’t have a 3mm audio jack.” — Radio Times
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- The Xbox Nano is a much smaller version of the standard Xbox controller.
- Both reviewers were positive overall after using it.
- Both found one notable feature missing: vibration (The Verge) and a 3mm audio jack (Radio Times).
- It is priced at $49.99 in the US and £44.99 in the UK.
Where accounts differ
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What the main shortfall is and who it is for
- Left
- The Verge wishes it had vibration, and sees it as ideal for young children and smaller hands.
- Centre
- Radio Times misses a 3mm audio jack and is unsure of the target audience, seeing it as a cheap extra pad or collectable.
Microsoft organisation
Microsoft is presented as the maker of a compact controller aimed at younger players and those with smaller hands, sold at $49.99 and £44.99. Radio Times notes Xbox supplied its review unit. Microsoft's own statements are not quoted.
“it has been designed specifically for younger people, or for anyone with smaller hands.” — The Verge
“Xbox sent us one of these mini new controllers” — Radio Times
Left1 article
-
The VergeLC · · Opinion
Xbox’s smallest-ever controller is surprisingly comfortable
Sympathetic Hands-on review that is pleasantly surprised by the comfort of a tiny controller, with minor caveats on battery and rumble.
Centre1 article
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Radio TimesN · · Opinion
I’ve been testing the Xbox Nano Controller, and one missing feature is holding it back
Mixed Mostly positive review that argues a missing headphone jack holds the controller back and questions its audience.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 3 Nov 17:00 First The VergeLC Xbox’s smallest-ever controller is surprisingly comfortable Opinion
- 7 Nov 08:00 +87h Radio TimesN I’ve been testing the Xbox Nano Controller, and one missing feature is holding it back Opinion
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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