Valve has announced three new devices joining their hardware offerings in early 2026. This includes the Steam Frame, Steam Machine, and a new version of the Steam Controller. These devices will run on SteamOS with prices yet to be unpacked at the time of writing.
The Steam Frame is a virtual reality (VR) headset with its own set of controllers. Meanwhile, the Steam Machine is a console-like device with Valve saying it’s six times more powerful than the Steam Deck. Lastly, the Steam Controller has a notable overhaul with the addition of a sizable trackpad.
The Steam Frame is built to be ‘streaming’ first, with Valve saying it’s capable of playing VR and non-VR titles. It’ll come with a ‘Steam Frame Verified’ tag to help users know if games are compatible with the headset.
In addition, it comes with a feature called Foveated Streaming. This optimizes details where the user’s eyes are looking. It uses low-latency eye tracking data to align your eyes with high definition pixels on-screen for better quality.
Steam Frame specs:
2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)
72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
110-degree field of view (FOV)
60mm-70mm IPD target range
140mm eye glasses max width
Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
16GB LPDDR5X RAM
256GB, 1TB UFS storage
microSD card slot
4x monochrome cameras (controller and headset tracking)
2x interior cameras (eye tracking and foveated streaming)
IR illuminators (tracking, passthrough in dark areas)
Headstrap (integrated dual audio drivers)
Wi-Fi 7, 2×2 (dual radios for 5GHz Wi-Fi and 6GHz VR streaming)
Wi-Fi 6E (with wireless adapter included in-box)
Bluetooth 5.3
SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
USB Type-C 2.0 port
21.6Wh Li-ion battery
45W fast charging support
175 x 95 x 110mm (dimensions)
440 grams (weight, core module with headstrap)
185 grams (weight, core module only)
245 grams (weight, headstrap only)
The Steam Machine will be able to handle a user’s Steam library, whether it’s AAA or indie titles. Similarly, games will have a ‘Steam Machine Verified’ tag for compatibility. This cube-shaped device spans 6-inches and comes with an LED strip that shows it’s current status (e.g., download progress).
Steam Machine specs:
Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T CPU (up to 4.8GHz, 30W TDP)
Semi-custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs GPU (2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP)
16GB DDR5 RAM
8GB DDR6 VRAM
512GB, 2TB NVMe SSD
microSD card slot
2×2 Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth 5.3 (dedicated antenna)
SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Steam Controller wireless adapter (integrated, 2.4GHz)
1x DisplayPort 1.4 port (up to 4K at 240Hz, 8K at 60Hz)
1x HDMI 2.0 port (up to 4K at 120Hz, HDR, FreeSync, CEC)
2x USB Type-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (front)
2x USB Type-A 2.0 high speed ports (back)
1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 port
Gigabit ethernet
Internal power supply (AC power 110-240V)
152mm tall (148mm w/o feet), 162.4mm deep, 156mm wide (size)
2.6 kilograms (weight)
The Steam Controller still has the standard buttons, joysticks, and direction pad. What’s new about it is the large trackpads near the grips, presumably added to mimic computer mouse movement.
The joysticks leverage TMR technology to help with responsiveness and longevity. This also includes haptic feedback to add to the immersive experience. Plus, it has Grip Sense, a grip-enabled gyro system that players can hold and release to toggle gyro aiming.
Wrapping up, the new controller comes with Steam Controller Puck, a wireless transmitter. This works as a means of connection while also functioning as a charging station for your hardware. We’ll be sure to update readers when more details about pricing are available.
Steam Controller (2026) specs:
ABXY buttons
D-pad
LR analog triggers
LR bumpers
View and menu buttons
Steam and QAM buttons
4x assignable grip buttons
2x full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR, with capacitive touch)
2x LRA haptic motors (in trackpads for HD tactile feedback)
2x high output LRA haptic motors in grips (HD game haptics)
2x 34.5mm square trackpads (with haptic feedback, pressure sensitive)
6-axis IMU gyro
Grip sense (2x capacitive areas along back of controller handles)
Bluetooth 4.2 (minimum, 5.0 or higher recommended)
USB Type-C support (tethered play)
Steam Controller Puck (up to 4 Steam Controllers, connects to PC via USB-C)
8.39Wh Li-ion battery (35+ hours of gameplay)
111 x 159 x 57mm (dimensions, Steam Controller)
50 x 28 x 9mm (dimensions, Steam Controller Puck)
292 grams (weight, Steam Controller)
16 grams (weight, Steam Controller Puck)
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