Valve announced this Wednesday (12) three new hardware devices for the Steam ecosystem, scheduled for launch in early 2026. The products include the Steam Machine, a compact mini gaming PC, the renewed Steam Controller and the Steam Frame virtual reality headset. The initiative aims to expand gaming options for users, integrating with the Steam library and the success of the Steam Deck.
The company highlighted that the devices run SteamOS 3, based on Arch Linux, to offer broad compatibility with titles on the platform. Gabe Newell, president of Valve, said the devices meet the demand for more ways to access PC games. They will be sold globally, with official pages now available on the Steam Store to add to your wishlist.
The announcements come at a time of growth for Steam hardware, with the Deck selling millions of units since 2022. Valve plans to expand the Steam Verified program to these new items, making it easier to port games.
Revamped Steam Controller Details
The Steam Controller arrives with innovations in ergonomics and precision. It uses magnetic levers with TMR technology for greater durability and sensitivity. The Grip Sense feature activates the gyroscope when it detects the touch of the grips, optimizing aiming in action games.
The accessory includes the Puck, a wireless transmitter that serves as a charging base. Supports up to four simultaneous controls, with a latency of 8 ms. The battery lasts more than 35 hours, reducing interruptions during long sessions.
Steam Machine: power in a compact format
The Steam Machine revives Valve’s PC console concept, now with semi-custom AMD hardware. The 6-core Zen 4 processor reaches 4.8 GHz, while the 28-unit RDNA3 GPU guarantees 4K at 60 fps with FSR. The volume is just 16 cm³, six times more powerful than the Steam Deck.
The device integrates an adapter for the Controller and runs SteamOS with fast boot. It weighs 2.6 kg and measures 156 mm x 152 mm x 162 mm, with 512 GB or 2 TB SSD options. Connections include DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, and Wi-Fi 6E.
- Internal bivolt power supply for simplicity
- Bar of 17 customizable RGB LEDs
- MicroSD support for expansion
- Gigabit Ethernet port for stability
Steam Frame Headset Advanced Features
Steam Frame focuses on foveated transmission, which prioritizes details in visual focus to save bandwidth. Equipped with Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, 16 GB of RAM and 2,160 x 2,160 pixels per eye LCD screen, operates at 72-120 Hz. Pancake lenses offer 110° field of view.
The headset is wireless via Wi-Fi 7, with four cameras for inside-out tracking. 21.6 Wh battery allows for extended use, and audio comes from vibration-cancelling stereo speakers. Weighs 440 g, with detachable module for comfort.
Developers receive kits via Steamworks to optimize VR titles. The device runs SteamOS and supports streaming non-VR games.
Integration between new devices
The devices form a cohesive ecosystem, with native pairing between Controller and Machine. Frame senses control via infrared LEDs for accurate VR. They all use SteamOS, allowing the installation of external apps or other OSes.
Valve has expanded Verified to include Machine and Frame, with Deck-compatible games automatically migrating. This speeds up support for thousands of titles.
Highlighted technical specifications
The announcement reinforces the commitment to accessibility in PC gaming. The Machine competes with traditional consoles, offering upgrade flexibility. The Controller evolves from the 2015 model, fixing old flaws like trackpads.
- Frame: 256GB or 1TB Storage, Bluetooth 5.3
- Machine: 16GB DDR5 RAM + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
- Controller: 32.5mm trackpads, four tactile motors
Prices and availability in Brazil are still pending confirmation, but imports are initially expected.