Valve’s Big New Hardware Lineup: Steam Machine, Steam Frame & Steam Controller (2026 Preview)

Valve has officially unveiled its most ambitious hardware lineup since the Steam Deck. Coming in early 2026, the company is launching three interconnected devices designed to expand the Steam ecosystem: the Steam Machine, the Steam Frame VR headset, and a brand-new Steam Controller. Together, they bring PC gaming closer to the living room, push wireless VR forward, and unify input across all SteamOS devices.

Steam Machine – The Living-Room Ready SteamOS Console

Official Page: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steammachine

Tech Specs*

General

CPU: Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T (up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP)
GPU: Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs (2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP)
RAM: 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Power: Internal power supply, AC power 110-240V
Storage: Two Steam Machine models (512GB NVMe SSD, 2TB NVMe SSD). Both models include a high-speed microSD card slot.

Connectivity

Wi-Fi: 2x2 Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna
Steam Controller: Integrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter

I/O

Displays: DisplayPort 1.4 (Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K@60Hz, supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining), HDMI 2.0 (Up to 4K @ 120Hz, supports HDR, FreeSync, and CEC)
USB: Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports (front), Two USB-A 2.0 High speed ports (back), One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port (back)
Networking: Gigabit ethernet
LED Strip: 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability

Size and Weight

Size: 152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide
Weight: 2.6 kg

Software

Operating System: SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Desktop: KDE Plasma

*some specifications subject to change ahead of availability

Steam Frame – Standalone VR Headset

Official Page: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamframe

Headset Tech Specs*

General

Processor: 4 nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3, Architecture: ARM64
RAM: 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM
Storage: 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options
microSD card slot for expanded storage

Power

Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery
One USB-C 2.0 port in the rear, for charging and data
Charge with USB-C, 45W

Modular Headstrap

Headstrap includes integrated dual audio drivers and and rechargeable battery on rear.
Headstrap weight: 245g
Core module can be separated from headstrap, for other headstrap solutions.

Display and Optics

Display: 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)
72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
Optics: Custom pancake lenses, Glass and non-glass optical elements, Large FOV (up to 110 degrees)
IPD target range: 60mm - 70mm
Eye glasses max width: 140mm

Cameras and Tracking

Tracking: Inside-out camera based tracking
Cameras: 4x outward facing monochrome cameras for controller and headset tracking, 2x interior cameras for eye tracking and foveated streaming
Passthrough: Monochrome passthrough via outward facing cameras
Low-light support: IR illuminators for tracking and passthrough in dark environments

Expansion

User accessible front expansion port
Dual high speed camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane)

Connectivity

Wi-Fi: Wi-Fi 7, 2x2, Dual radios enable concurrent 5Ghz Wi-Fi and 6Ghz VR streaming
Wireless Adapter: Wireless adapter included in the box, Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz), Provides direct, low-latency link between headset and PC
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 5.3

Audio

Speakers: Dual speaker drivers per ear, integrated into headstrap
Microphone: Dual microphone array

Size and Weight

Size: 175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface)
Weight: 440 g - core module + headstrap, 185 g - core module

Software

Operating System: SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Desktop: KDE Plasma

Steam Controller – Next Gen

Official Page: https://store.steampowered.com/sale/steamcontroller

Controller Tech Specs*

Controls and Input

Gamepad controls: A B X Y buttons, D-pad, L & R analog triggers, L & R bumpers, View & Menu buttons, Steam & QAM buttons, 4x assignable grip buttons
Thumbsticks: 2x full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive touch

Haptics

4x haptic motors: 2x LRA haptic motors in trackpads for HD tactile feedback, 2x High output LRA haptic motors in grips for HD game haptics including rumble

Trackpads

2x 34.5mm square trackpads with haptic feedback
Pressure-sensitive for configurable click strength

Gyro

6-axis IMU

Grip Sense

2x capacitive areas along back of Steam Controller handles

Connectivity

Steam Controller Puck: 2.4GHz Wireless connection, ~8ms full end-to-end, 4ms polling rate (measured at 5m), Up to 4 Steam Controllers per Steam Controller Puck, Steam Controller Puck connects to PC via USB-C
Bluetooth: Bluetooth 4.2 minimum, 5.0 or higher recommended
USB: USB-C tethered play

Power

Charging: Steam Controller Puck charging interface, USB-C connector
Battery: 8.39 Wh Li-ion battery, 35+ hours of gameplay*, Battery life for tracked gameplay with Steam Frame is reduced

Size and Weight

Size: Steam Controller: 111mm x 159mm x 57mm, Steam Controller Puck: 50mm x 28mm x 9mm
Weight: Steam Controller: 292 g, Steam Controller Puck: 16 g

*some specifications subject to change ahead of availability

Conclusion: A Unified Ecosystem

Valve's strategy is clear: build a powerful, cohesive ecosystem centered entirely around Steam. While more platform competition is always good for the industry, focusing on a unified experience for its massive user base seems like the right step. By controlling the hardware, software, and storefront, Valve is creating a deeply integrated gaming experience. This move could redefine what gamers expect from living-room consoles and standalone VR.