TECH PREVIEW – PlayStation 5 and Xbox suddenly have a serious challenger. Steam dropped a bombshell and unveiled a hybrid system straddling console and PC. Valve is expanding the Steam Hardware family with a new controller, a fresh VR headset, and a living room machine built to bring PC gaming comfortably to the couch.

Are you a PC gamer? Good news, the latest Valve rumors were on the money. No, Half-Life 3 is still not announced, but Gabe Newell’s company is rolling out new devices for the Steam Hardware lineup, and one of them is aimed squarely at a huge audience. The team has confirmed a brand-new controller (Steam Controller), a new VR headset (Steam Frame), and a living room-focused system (Steam Machine).

Let’s take it from the top. Valve says three new devices are coming in 2026, and according to the company’s site, they all work with Steam, adapt to how you like to play, and, like Steam Deck, are designed to help you get more from your library. The hardware works seamlessly together, whether you are streaming or swapping between devices, including the Steam Deck. Because Valve remains committed to an open PC ecosystem, the gear is built to play nicely with other devices, too.

On the software side, everything runs SteamOS. The idea is plug-and-play convenience while keeping PC power and flexibility. In short, Valve wants to move your Steam games from the desk to the living room, not only through Steam Deck’s portability but also via formats tailored for VR and big-screen play.

The announcement made waves across gaming, so it is worth going point by point. Here is every key detail on the Steam Machine, the Steam Controller, and the Steam Frame.

Steam Machine – Valve’s PC In Console Clothing

The headliner is Steam Machine, which Valve says is six times more powerful than Steam Deck and capable of running the latest AAA releases. The clean 16 cm black cube promises strong performance, Steam Controller support, streaming options and the flexibility you expect from a full computer. It is tuned for games, but it is still your PC – you can install your own apps or even another operating system.

Most importantly, what is inside? Based on the specs below, this is a punchy PC–console hybrid.

The price? That is still unknown – Valve did not share numbers. What we do know from the sheet is that there will be two storage variants, 512 GB and 2 TB. Expect the company to clarify pricing and the exact date before the planned 2026 launch.

Steam Controller – Valve’s Next-Gen Gamepad

Valve has refined its controller recipe and is shipping a definitive version as part of Steam Hardware from day one. Steam Controller pairs comfort and control with analog sticks, buttons including four on the back, triggers, mouse-style trackpads for cursor precision, a tunable gyro and quick menus for Steam and social features. It will work with standard PCs, Steam Deck, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame.

• Next-gen magnetic sticks with TMR tech – better feel, higher responsiveness, and durability.
• High-definition vibration – processes complex waveforms for precise, immersive haptics.
• Touch-enabled gyro – Grip Sense lets you engage motion with a capacitive touch.

There is no price yet here either. Valve is targeting a 2026 release in step with the rest of the new lineup.

Steam Frame – Valve’s New Push In VR

VR is familiar territory for Valve, so Steam Hardware is also getting a headset built for comfort, stability and high quality. Steam Frame stands out in five key areas.

• 2160×2160 LCD panels with 72–144 Hz refresh.
• High-quality audio with stereo speakers on each side, oriented to cancel vibrations.
• Camera tracking using four high-resolution monochrome sensors plus external IR LEDs for reliable tracking even in dark rooms.
• Wireless adapter and dual connection – a 6 GHz link dedicated to VR streaming and standard gaming, with one path for A/V streaming and another for Wi-Fi networking.
• Foveated Streaming that prioritizes detail where you look, typically delivering 10×-plus efficiency gains by using low-latency eye-tracking data to push the best pixels to your gaze.

There is no price or fixed date here either. Officially it will join the Steam Hardware family sometime in 2026 alongside Steam Machine and Steam Controller.

Valve Is Not Whispering – It’s A Living-Room Play

This is one of 2025’s biggest gaming stories. Valve already dominates PC gaming, but Steam Machine shows it is not content to stop there – it wants a console-style experience that brings Steam’s massive catalog to the living room. With a deep library, an AAA-capable box and a dedicated controller – while still playing nicely with third-party peripherals – this could be the ideal setup for couch gaming.

There are still open questions around the Steam Machine. Expect a flood of comparisons in the days ahead as people pit Valve’s system against today’s alternatives. Price, still unknown, will be a decisive factor for many buyers. What is clear is that Valve has made a bold move, challenging both PC options and console makers. We will soon see whether it follows Steam Deck’s success or fades like some of the company’s earlier experiments.

Source: 3djuegos