Valve reveals the Steam Machine console, Steam Frame VR Headset, and its new Steam controller. Read on to learn more about the latest additions to the Steam Hardware lineup and the specs for each device.
Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and New Controller Announced
Coming Early 2026
Valve unveiled its latest additions to the Steam Hardware family: the Steam Machine console, the Steam Frame VR Headset, and the Steam controller. As announced on November 13, these new products will work seamlessly together with the Steam Deck and are expected to be released in early 2026.
In a press release, Valve President Gabe Newell shared his thoughts on the upcoming releases of their newest products. "We’ve been super happy with the success of Steam Deck, and PC gamers have continued asking for even more ways to play all the great titles in their Steam libraries. Our work over the years on other hardware and even more importantly on SteamOS has enabled Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame to do just that," he said.
Steam Machine Revival
To start, Valve is resurrecting its living room PC concept with the new Steam Machine, a fixed-spec, cube-shaped console built for TV gaming. Originally released in 2015, the device ultimately failed for several reasons.
This was mostly due to the market confusion caused by Valve's strategy of partnering with numerous third-party manufacturers. This resulted in a dizzying array of hardware configurations, leading to inconsistent specifications and price points.
Additionally, the Steam Machine ran Linux-based SteamOS, which severely limited the available game library since few AAA titles had native support. Consequently, without an easy compatibility layer like Proton (which was used for the Steam Deck), consumers were unwilling to buy a console that could only play a fraction of their existing Steam games
However, this new iteration, the 2026 Steam Machine, is a dedicated living-room gaming console that is more powerful than the handheld Steam Deck. Valve officially claims it offers over six times the performance of the Steam Deck, and it is designed to run whisper-quiet while using SteamOS 3.
Powered by a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6-core CPU and a dedicated AMD RDNA 3 GPU (28 CUs) with 8GB of GDDR6, it aims for 4K at 60 FPS with AMD FSR. It includes 16GB of DDR5 RAM and will be available in 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD models, expandable via microSD.
Connectivity is robust, featuring DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, Gigabit Ethernet, and multiple USB ports. For seamless use, it integrates a built-in 2.4 GHz radio for low-latency connection with the new Steam Controller.
Steam Controller Redesigned
Alongside the Steam Machine, Valve is also relaunching its latest version of the Steam Controller. It features a redesigned hybrid layout, incorporating dual magnetic TMR analog thumbsticks and two haptic-enabled trackpads for versatile input.
Advanced features include HD haptics, a six-axis gyro, four rear grip buttons, and capacitive grip sensing to activate the gyro simply by holding the device. It supports three connection methods—low-latency 2.4 GHz (via a "Puck" adapter), Bluetooth, and wired USB-C—and boasts over 35 hours of battery life.
Steam Frame Is A Streaming-First Wireless VR Headset
And lastly, a new VR headset will also be joining the Steam Hardware family. Following its first attempt at virtual gaming with the Valve Index in 2019, Valve returns with its latest standalone, wireless VR headset, the Steam Frame.
Designed for a "streaming-first" experience, it uses low-latency Wi-Fi 6E and Foveated Streaming (with eye-tracking) to maximize clarity on its dual 2160 x 2160 LCD panels. The new controllers include both full gamepad inputs and magnetic TMR thumbsticks.
Furthermore, the Steam Frame headset is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, giving players a robust experience comparable to the Steam Deck. The prices for all three new devices have yet to be revealed, but Valve promises they are "designed to provide a plug-and-play user experience, while still retaining access to the power and flexibility of a PC."
Additionally, Valve will be expanding its Deck Verified program to include compatibility ratings for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame, helping customers immediately understand how games will perform on these new devices.
More information about upcoming Steam Hardware devices can be found on the official Steam Hardware page.
Source:
Steam Hardware page
Steam Hardware Announcement
