Xbox’s redesigned PC app is in early preview, codenamed Garrison, and Windows Central’s Jez Corden reports that it feels noticeably faster than the current app, especially when loading a very large library. That speed claim is his hands-on impression, not a measured benchmark, and the preview has no confirmed public release date.
What the hands-on reports
In a hands-on published October 9, 2026, Windows Central Executive Editor Jez Corden describes testing the preview with his personal Xbox library of more than 1,400 titles. His main observation is that the app loads that library faster than the previous version. He also says the preview makes it easier to see which games can be installed on the device and which are available only through Xbox Cloud Gaming, and that it combines store listings and game listings into a single interface, which reduces the number of places a player has to navigate.
Corden frames these as qualitative observations. The report does not publish timings, frame data, or side-by-side measurements against the previous app, so the headline’s “BIG performance improvements” should be read as a description of how the app felt during one reviewer’s testing, not as a quantified gain.
Speed: what is and is not established
- Established: the author observed faster library loading in his own testing, on his own large library.
- Not established: any percentage, time saved, or result across different libraries, hardware, or network conditions.
- Not established: whether the speed gain holds once the app reaches general availability, since the build is a preview.
The 1,400-plus figure describes the size of the author’s library. It is not a performance statistic for the app.
#1 Best Overall
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Input layouts and handheld use
The preview includes layouts for mouse and keyboard as well as for a controller. Corden says the app can be set as the default home screen when a Windows 11 PC enters Game Mode, and he calls controller-scaled use on a device such as the Xbox Ally an ideal fit. The ROG Xbox Ally is the handheld he names; it is an example of the kind of device he tested with, not a requirement.
The app appears to prioritize performance and usability over new features at this stage. Corden reports few new features in the build.
Rank #2
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
Release timing
Corden suggests Xbox Insiders could receive the preview in the coming weeks. That is his expectation, not an announcement. No official release date has been published for the redesigned app, so readers should treat any timing as unconfirmed until Xbox or Microsoft announces it.
How the preview differs from Xbox mode
The redesigned app is separate from Xbox mode, which is a different Windows experience that is already rolling out. Confusing the two is the most common source of error in coverage of this preview.
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Rank #3
- MODERNIZED DESIGN — Experience the modernized design of the XBOX Wireless Controller with sculpted surfaces and updated geometry that enhances comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- PRECISION PERFORMANCE — Stay on target with a hybrid D-pad and textured grips on triggers, bumpers, and back case for improved accuracy and handling.
- SHARE BUTTON: Seamlessly capture and share content such as screenshots, recordings, and more with the new Share button.
- VERSATILE CONNECTIVITY — Connect via USB-C for plug-and-play on console and PC, or quickly pair and switch between supported devices with XBOX Wireless and Bluetooth support.
- BUILT-IN AUDIO SUPPORT — Plug in compatible headsets using the 3.5mm audio jack for direct voice chat and immersive in-game sound.
| Item | Redesigned PC app (preview) | Xbox mode |
|---|---|---|
| Status | Early preview, codenamed Garrison, per Windows Central | Gradual rollout in select markets, announced April 30, 2026 by Xbox Wire |
| Official release date | Not stated | Rollout already underway in select markets |
| Windows requirement | Not stated in the preview report | Windows 11 version 24H2 or later, per Microsoft Support |
| Market availability | Not stated | Only in supported markets, per Microsoft Support |
| Input | Mouse and keyboard and controller layouts | Controller-optimized full-screen experience |
| Library | Shows installable and cloud-only titles more clearly, per the hands-on | Aggregated library including the Game Pass catalog and installed games from leading PC storefronts, per Xbox Wire |
| Speed evidence | One reviewer’s hands-on impression; no benchmark published | Microsoft describes handheld startup optimizations; no measurement of the redesigned app is implied |
What Xbox mode is and what Microsoft documents
Microsoft Support defines Xbox mode this way: “Xbox mode is a console inspired, dedicated gaming experience that gives players a controller-optimized way to navigate and play on Windows.” According to Microsoft’s documentation, it requires Windows 11 version 24H2 or later and is available only in supported markets.
On gaming handhelds, enabling startup into Xbox mode limits background processes, and Microsoft says reducing startup activity can improve battery life and gaming performance. Those are Microsoft’s general claims about Xbox mode. They are not measurements of the redesigned app, and the preview report does not connect the two.
Rank #4
- BREAKER SERIES — Hold nothing back. Ice Breaker keeps it forever fresh with a mix of iced and frosted blues. Part of the collective debut of the Breaker special edition series.
- BOLD STYLE, BUILT TO PERFORM — Define your swagger with a wild, head-turning design. Stay elegantly on target with textured triggers built for every moment.
- RUBBERIZED GRIPS — Hold on to the action with rubberized grips on the back cases, designed for comfort and control during long gaming sessions.
- UP TO 40 HOURS OF BATTERY LIFE — Get up to 40 hours of battery life so you can keep playing without stopping to recharge.
- PLAY ACROSS EVERY SCREEN — Quickly pair with, play on, and switch between devices including console and PC. Stream games across mobile, gaming handhelds, Smart TVs, and supported VR headsets with XBOX Cloud Gaming.
What to watch next
- An official announcement from Xbox or Microsoft confirming the redesigned app, its name, and its availability.
- Whether the speed impression holds across a range of library sizes and hardware once more testers have access.
- Published system requirements and supported markets for the redesigned app, which the preview report does not state.
Until those arrive, the verified facts are narrow: an early preview exists, one reviewer found library loading faster and navigation simpler, and the interface supports both keyboard and controller use.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- Tri-mode Connectivity: Wired for Xbox, 2.4G & Wired for PC, and Bluetooth for Android. The G7 Pro supports seamless connectivity across Xbox, PC, and Android. Effortlessly switch between modes using the convenient physical mode switch.
- TMR Sticks: The G7 Pro features GameSir's Mag-Res TMR sticks, combining Hall Effect durability with traditional potentiometer performance. This advanced technology delivers stable polling rates for smooth, drift-free gaming with low power consumption.
- Hall Effect Analog Triggers: The GameSir precision-tuned Hall Effect analog triggers provide unmatched smoothness and linear input for precise control. Featuring clicky Micro Switch trigger stops, gamers can easily switch based on their preferences.
- 1000Hz Polling Rate on PC: Experience ultra-responsive gaming with a 1000Hz polling rate on PC, available through both wired and 2.4G wireless connections. This ensures instantaneous input registration, reducing lag and optimizing your performance for the most competitive gameplay.
- GameSir Nexus App: The G7 Pro is compatible with the upgraded GameSir Nexus app, which brings a significant upgrade over the original. It introduces powerful new features such as gyro settings, stick curve adjustments, and button-to-mouse mapping, giving you deeper customization and more control than ever before.
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