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Valve is going big on hardware with all-new Steam Machine, Frames VR headset, and a controller

Following the success of Steam Deck, Valve is doubling down on the hardware department with a range of new hardware. Leading the pack is the all-new Steam Machine, which you’ll be able to pair with long-rumored VR headset called the Steam Frame. There’s also a brand-new Steam Controller to go with the new console, which you’ll be able to bundle with the console itself or buy separately. With these new additions joining the already popular Steam Deck, it’s safe to say that Valve is betting big on hardware, going head-to-head with the likes of Sony and Microsoft. Head below for a closer look and more details.

Valve’s all-new Steam Machine is now official

Valve’s next-gen Steam device, targeting a Spring 2026 release, packs serious power with a custom AMD Zen 4 CPU and RDNA3 GPU that’s said to be over six times faster than the Steam Deck, supporting 4K 60FPS gaming with FSR and ray tracing. It comes in 512GB and 2TB SSD variants, with 16GB DDR5 RAM, 8GB VRAM, and microSD expansion. The connectivity options here include Wi-Fi 6E, Ethernet, HDMI 2.0, DisplayPort 1.4, USB-C, and four USB-A ports. This console, as you’d expect, runs SteamOS, featuring fast suspend/resume, controller wake, and a customizable LED bar. We don’t have anything in the name of pricing, but it’s safe to say that this marks a major leap beyond the Steam Deck.

Here’s a quick look at the specifications of Steam Machine:

CPUSemi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C / 12T
– up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
GPUSemi-Custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs
– 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
RAM16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
PowerInternal power supply, AC power 110-240V
StorageTwo Steam Machine models
– 512GB NVMe SSD
– 2TB NVMe SSD
Both include a high-speed microSD slot
Wi-Fi2×2 Wi-Fi 6E
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3 dedicated antenna
Steam ControllerIntegrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter
Display I/ODisplayPort 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
USBTwo USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 ports in the front
Two USB-A 2.0 High speed ports in the back
One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 port in the back
NetworkingGigabit ethernet
LED Strip17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customizability
Size152 x 162.4 x 156 mm
Weight2.6 kg
Operating SystemSteamOS 3 (Arch-based)

The new Steam Machine will work with pretty much any controller that’s compatible with the Steam Deck, but Valve is also launching a new Steam Controller, which is an optional purchase for its console. This will also work with any device running Steam, meaning you can pair it with your Windows PC, macOS, and the Steam Deck, of course. It supports Bluetooth and USB for wired play, and is said to have 35+ hours of battery life, which is pretty good. Notably, this new gamepad also has TMR joysticks, which should eliminate drift.

A black video game controller

What really makes this controller stand out are its dual trackpads, which feature haptic feedback and let you play games that don’t natively support joysticks. It also includes six-axis gyro controls for motion-based gameplay. The layout combines ABXY Xbox-style buttons with symmetrical PlayStation-style thumbsticks, along with four programmable rear buttons, standard triggers, and bumpers. Interestingly, it’s also said to feature capacitive grip sensing, allowing it to detect when you’ve picked it up.

A black headset and game controller

Lastly, there’s the Steam Frame – a wireless, “streaming-first” headset running SteamOS and powered by a 4nm Snapdragon chip. It supports both VR and traditional flat-screen games and connects wirelessly through Valve’s new 6GHz plug-and-play adapter, which can be inserted into your PC or the new Steam Machine. The headset features dual 2160 x 2160 LCD panels with refresh rates up to 144Hz. Valve’s new Foveated Streaming technology uses eye-tracking to render sharper detail where you’re looking, promising up to a 10x boost in image quality and bandwidth efficiency. It works across your entire Steam library and comes bundled with two controllers, each functioning as half of a standard gamepad to provide full input support for both VR and non-VR games.

Here’s a quick look at the specifications of Steam Frame:

Processor4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
Architecture: ARM64
RAM16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM
Storage256GB / 1TB UFS storage options (with microSD card slot)
PowerRechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery
One USB-C 2.0 port in the rear, for charging and data
Charge with 45W USB-C
Modular HeadstrapHeadstrap includes integrated dual audio drivers and and rechargeable battery on rear.
Core module can be separated from headstrap, for other headstrap solutions.
Display2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)
72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
OpticsCustom pancake lenses
Glass and non-glass optical elements
Large FOV (up to 110 degrees)
IPD target range60mm – 70mm
Eye glasses max width140mm
TrackingInside-out camera based tracking
Cameras4x outward facing monochrome cameras for controller and headset tracking
2x interior cameras for eye tracking and foveated streaming
PassthroughMonochrome passthrough via outward facing cameras
Low-light supportIR illuminators for tracking and passthrough in dark environments
ExpansionUser accessible front expansion port
Dual high speed camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane)
Wi-FiWi-Fi 7, 2×2
Wireless AdapterWireless adapter included in the box
Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz)
BluetoothBluetooth 5.3
SpeakersDual speaker drivers per ear, integrated into headstrap
MicrophoneDual microphone array
Size175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface)
Weight440 g – core module + headstrap
Operating SystemSteamOS 3 (Arch-based)

Valve hasn’t revealed pricing or release dates for any of the new hardware yet, but all of it is expected to launch sometime next year. It’s unclear if we’ll see a new Steam Deck model by then, though that seems unlikely as Valve will probably want to focus attention on its latest lineup instead.

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Avatar for Karthik Iyer Karthik Iyer

Karthik Iyer is a writer at gadgetnewsonline, serving recommendations and deals on PC, games, computing parts, and other gaming accessories.