Valve is once again expanding its hardware ecosystem with new products expected to arrive in 2026, including the return of the Steam Machine. We seem to be at a convergence of multiple companies seeking ways to attract more gamers to their brands. From Microsoft venturing into the mobile gaming handheld sector, with Sony also rumored to be returning, to Valve now trying to round out its offerings in the coming year. Two of the more notable editions in the Valve family are the Steam Frame VR headset and the return of the Steam Machine, but this iteration is considerably different than its predecessors. It should be noted that, at least for now, Valve has still not announced a successor to the Steam Deck.
Valve previously attempted to launch a family of Steam Machines in 2015 running on SteamOS, which included hardware manufacturer partners offering their specific configurations and the debut of the Steam Controller. However, this hardware never managed to gain traction and was eventually discontinued. Fast forward to 2025, and Valve is launching new versions of both, but this Steam Machine in many ways resembles a more powerful desktop version of the Steam Deck and is using Proton, which could be the golden ticket to success this time around. RockPaperShotgun checked in with Valve engineers Yazan Aldehayyat and Pierre-Loup Griffais regarding the new Steam Machine.
“We learned from the first Steam Machines that we needed to make our developers’ lives a lot easier. So now we have Proton, right? Which is essentially just a compatibility layer that lets games run on Linux, that are originally meant for Windows.”
– Yazan Aldehayyat, Valve Hardware Engineer
It’s clear that Valve has tried to focus on the essentials; although storage options seem a bit sparse, there are either 512 GB or 2 TB versions. A Semi-custom AMD 6-core/12-thread CPU and a boost clock of 4.8 GHz features an RDNA3-based GPU that can reportedly run Cyberpunk at 4K/60 FPS using FSR and a mixture of low/medium settings, including some ray tracing. Pricing has not yet been revealed, but if Valve can offer the Steam Machine at or below current Microsoft and Sony prices, it could be a bit hit.
Steam Machine (2026) details:
- OS: SteamOS 3 (using Proton, similar to Steam Deck)
- Formfactor: 152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide
- I/O connectivity: 1x Gb Ethernet, 2×2 Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, 2x USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (front), 2x USB-A 2.0 (rear), 1x USB Type-C 3.2 Gen 2 (rear)
- Display Connectivity: DP 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)
- Storage: Either 512 GB or 2 TB NVMe SSD, additional storage via microSD
- CPU: Semi-Custom AMD Zen 4 6C/12T, boost clock up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
- GPU: Semi-Custom AMD RDNA3, 28 CUs, 2.45 GHz max clock rate, 110W TDP
- Memory: 16 GB DDR5 (System), 8 GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Power: Internal power supply 110-240V
- Weight: 2.6 kg
- Controller: Steam Controller included with 2.4 GHz wireless adapter
- LED Strip: 17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability
Steam Frame
The Steam Frame is a bit of a gamble with VR still not having achieved a large mainstream audience but perhaps Valve can succeed where others continue to put up a fight. Valve has also introduced “Foveated Streaming, is a new feature that optimizes detail where your eyes are looking, and typically offers over a 10x improvement.”
Specifications
- 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: 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye), 72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
- 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
- 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 7, 2×2, Dual radios enable concurrent 5Ghz Wi-Fi and 6Ghz VR streaming, 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: 175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface), 440 g – core module + headstrap, 185 g – core module
Steam Controller
Lastly is the return of the Steam Controller. Featuring dual track pads, an infrared sensor that can work with the Steam Frame, grip buttons, Steam, and quick access buttons, this controller is designed to be a one-stop gaming solution.
Specifications:
- 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
- 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: 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