This piece separates what the reviewer found from what Microsoft says and what other outlets have reported. That matters here, because the headphone-jack question was murky for weeks.
What Radio Times found
Leane's hands-on impressions are subjective, and he discloses that Xbox supplied the controller. The article also carries an affiliate-style Amazon purchase link.
- Sticks, D-pad and face buttons: He found them premium-feeling and says they work as you'd want.
- Bumpers: The LB and RB buttons are particularly small and take some getting used to. After a couple of short matches of EA Sports FC 27, which leans on the shoulder buttons, he says he wasn't missing presses. He compares the feel to a single Switch Joy-Con.
- Compatibility: He says it worked with Xbox, PC, iOS and Android.
- Steam Deck: It's the one device he couldn't get working. He notes the box doesn't claim Steam Deck support. He gives no model, SteamOS version, pairing steps or error details.
- The missing jack: He says the lack of a 3.5 mm audio port is the one thing that holds the controller back. He mainly means wired headphones on public transport, where Bluetooth headphones become a second pairing job.
- Price and audience: The UK RRP is £44.99. He's unsure who the controller is for. He suggests small hands, travellers, retro fans, or families wanting a cheap extra pad for multiplayer.
What Microsoft says about the hardware
Xbox Wire announced the controller on October 14, 2026. Microsoft calls it its smallest controller. It measures a little over 5 inches and weighs 3.5 ounces, which Microsoft says is lighter and shorter than most modern smartphones.
The Nano keeps all 18 standard gameplay inputs, so the sticks, face buttons, bumpers, triggers and D-pad sit in the usual Xbox layout. Microsoft adds a programmable Action Button, which it says can be set for screenshots, capture and other shortcuts. It also lists a rechargeable battery, Xbox Wireless and Bluetooth.
Microsoft announced a $49.99 US price. UK availability was listed for November. The Xbox Nano Controller launched on November 4 at $49.99 / £44.99. Treat these as market-specific prices, not direct conversions of each other. Microsoft also says pricing and availability vary by country.
Is the missing headphone jack confirmed?
Microsoft's launch announcement doesn't mention a headset jack at all. Before launch, that left the question open. The Shortcut judged from marketing materials that the jack appeared to have been removed, though it hadn't seen the bottom of the controller clearly. Another pre-launch guide listed the jack as something Xbox hadn't published.
Leane's hands-on report is now firsthand confirmation for his unit. A community-edited Xbox wiki entry also states that the controller has no expansion port or 3.5mm headset jack. That entry is crowd-edited, so weigh it accordingly.
The research here doesn't establish whether a USB audio accessory could work over the controller's USB-C connection. Neither Radio Times nor Microsoft's announcement addresses that, so don't assume either way.
Steam Deck: an anecdote, not a verdict
Microsoft's published compatibility list names Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Windows 10/11, Android, iOS and compatible smart TVs. Steam Deck isn't on it. Leane's failed attempt is one tester's experience on one setup. It doesn't show the controller can't work with any Steam Deck configuration, and it doesn't show a defect.
Microsoft also warns that Bluetooth and mobile support varies by device and version. So "works on iOS and Android" in one review isn't a guarantee for every phone.
Practical details for buyers
Here is what the available evidence supports:
- Charging: The battery is internal. That means you can't swap in AA batteries as you can with the standard Xbox Wireless Controller.
- Cable: Microsoft's store listing, per the research notes, says the USB-C charging cable is sold separately. One guide lists "the controller only" as the box contents. Budget a few pounds or dollars if you don't have a spare USB-C cable.
- Battery life: The research notes cite a Microsoft Store figure of up to five hours, with a caveat that it varies. That is a ceiling, not a promise. Another guide reported the battery life as not disclosed at launch, so figures have shifted. Long sessions will mean charging.
- Rumble: The Shortcut reports Microsoft quietly confirmed the Nano has no rumble support. Radio Times doesn't mention rumble, so this comes from a separate outlet.
- Remapping on PC: The research notes say button mapping is available through the Xbox Accessories app on Xbox consoles and Windows 10/11. The Windows app reportedly needs a compatible USB-C cable. Radio Times didn't test remapping or the Action Button.
Cloud connect: a separate preview
On November 4, Xbox Wire announced a US preview of cloud connect for the Nano. Instead of a Bluetooth link to your TV, the controller uses Wi-Fi to connect directly to the cloud server running your game. Xbox says this can reduce input latency.
It's an early test. It works only on supported Smart TVs and the web, and won't work with every cloud gaming experience. Setup uses the Xbox beta app on Android, or the Xbox Accessories app on PC. PC setup requires Xbox Insider enrollment. Radio Times didn't test this, so there's no hands-on verdict on it yet.
Analysis: who is it for?
Leane is right to ask who it's for. Microsoft's own answer is broad: younger players, smaller hands, travellers, families. Xbox is also tying it to cloud-gaming bundles with Samsung TVs and Meta Quest. That suggests a controller that works with no console attached.
For Windows and PC players, the case is modest. It's a pocketable Bluetooth pad that connects without a dongle, with Xbox-style inputs and remapping through the Accessories app. The trade-offs, according to the sources above, are no rumble, an internal battery with a stated five-hour maximum, and no headphone jack. If wired headphones are central to how you play on the go, the jack is a real limitation. If you already use Bluetooth earbuds, it matters less.
A fair caveat on the source: this is one reviewer's early impressions after short sessions. The affiliate link and the supplied review unit don't invalidate his view, but they're worth knowing about. Wait for longer-term testing of battery life and bumper comfort before treating "you adapt" as a general rule.
Bottom line
- The Nano is small, reasonably priced, and well regarded for stick, D-pad and face-button feel by this reviewer.
- The missing 3.5 mm jack is confirmed by hands-on reporting, not by Microsoft's announcement.
- Steam Deck support isn't listed by Microsoft, and one failed attempt proves little either way.
- Expect to buy a USB-C cable and to charge often.