(Image courtesy of Valve Corporation. “Valve’s upcoming Steam Hardware is meant to be open, powerful, and accessible.”)
Aaron Preziosi
Connector Editor
In a video posted to their YouTube channel on Nov. 12, Valve unveiled a brand-new line of Steam Hardware consisting of three devices, each meant to complement the previously successful Steam Deck as well as each other. It includes the Steam Controller, the Steam Machine, and the Steam Frame, all anticipated to ship in early 2026.
The first piece of hardware unveiled was the Steam Controller, which boasts many highly valued features for modern controllers such as drift-resistant magnetic thumbsticks, HD rumble and “Grip Sense,” Valve’s name for their grip-enabled gyro controls which will allow players to enable and disable features like gyro aiming by squeezing the back of the controller grips. The controller will also come with a unique cable named the “Puck,” advertised as both a wireless transmitter and a charging station. The website also claims the Steam Controller will support Bluetooth and USB. Additionally, while the Steam Controller is designed to work with the Steam Deck, Machine and Frame, it is also able to work with any device running Steam regardless of operating system.
The second device in Valve’s new line of hardware is the Steam Machine. While not as portable as the Steam Deck, it boasts a compact, if a bit comical, form factor. It is a small cube, six inches across, garnering nicknames like “GameCube 2” or “GabeCube” from anticipating fans. Backing up the small form factor, however, is a “semi-custom AMD desktop class CPU and GPU,” which Valve claims is “six times as powerful than the Steam Deck.” The Steam Machine also features inbuilt Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth, DisplayPort 1.4 and HDMI 2.0 ports, one USB-C and four USB-A ports and a Gigabit Ethernet port. It also features an LED bar, which, besides being customizable, will allow users to track downloads and system status. While it is optimized for gaming, Valve goes on to say “it’s still your PC. Install your own apps, or even another operating system. Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?”
The third and final new device is the Steam Frame: A new VR headset. While Valve’s previous headset, the Valve Index, was monumentally successful and is regarded as the best commercial VR headset on the market by many, the Frame promises to be far more accessible and powerful. It is designed with wireless play in mind and will include a 6GHz wireless adapter which will provide a dedicated link between the Frame and players’ devices. The second big-ticket feature is “Foveated Streaming”, which makes liberal use of integrated eye trackers to optimize detail where players are looking, which is meant to offer a “10x improvement in image quality and effective bandwidth.” Additionally, while the Steam Frame is a VR headset, and will thusly play VR games, Valve proudly says that the Steam Frame will be able to run any game from players’ Steam libraries.
When it comes to PC gaming, Valve remains undefeated, and the upcoming Steam Hardware line only serves to solidify their lead. Look for the Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame available in early 2026. Prices have yet to be confirmed.
