Valve is intensifying its push into the console and VR markets with a trio of ambitious hardware launches - the Steam Machine console, Frame VR headset, and a revamped Steam Controller. Set to debut in Spring 2026, these devices promise seamless access to the vast Steam library while claiming to deliver performance that outpaces rivals like Sonys PlayStation and Nintendos Switch.
Steam Machine
At the heart of Valves offensive is the Steam Machine, a compact cubic console designed for couch-based gaming. Running on SteamOS, it boasts over six times the graphical muscle of the Steam Deck, enabling smooth 4K resolution at 60 frames per second with ray tracing and upscaling tech like FSR. Under the hood lies a semi-custom AMD Zen 4 processor with six cores and 12 threads clocking up to 4.8GHz, paired with an RDNA3 GPU featuring 28 compute units at 2.45GHz. It packs 16GB of DDR5 RAM and 8GB of GDDR6 VRAM for handling demanding titles.
Storage options include 512GB or 2TB SSDs, expandable via microSD, alongside modern connectivity like Wi-Fi 6E, 1Gbps Ethernet, multiple USB ports, DisplayPort, and HDMI supporting HDR. A customizable LED bar adds flair, while a controller wake feature streamlines setup. Gamers can dive straight into their existing Steam collections without extra ports or subscriptions.
Steam Frame VR Headset
Complementing the console is the Frame VR headset, a wireless standout that Valve dubs a Steam Deck for your face. Powered by an Arm-based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip, it runs Windows games natively and welcomes Android apps, including games sideloaded via APKs. This opens doors for developers to port VR experiences from platforms like Meta Quest, bolstered by a dedicated developer kit program.
Key perks include Proton compatibility for broader app support, rich browser multitasking with floating windows, and efficient cooling via heat pipe and spreader. While exact display specs remain under wraps, the headset emphasizes seamless Arm code execution without performance-hitting translations. It runs on SteamOS for tight ecosystem integration, positioning Valve as a VR contender against Sonys high-end rigs.
Steam Controller
Rounding out the lineup is the new Steam Controller, an optional accessory with magnetic thumbsticks for adjustable tension and dual trackpads for mouse-like precision in games. This design caters to both casual and competitive play, enhancing the Steam Machines plug-and-play vibe. Bundled options with the console are likely, though standalone sales are expected.
Entering the Console Wars
These releases thrust Valve directly into battle with Sony and Nintendo. The Steam Machines raw power and SteamOS openness challenge the PlayStation 5s ecosystem lock-in, while its handheld heritage nods to the Switch's portability without the hybrid compromises. The Frame VR headset eyes Sonys PSVR2 with Android flexibility, potentially drawing mobile gamers into Valves orbit. Analysts see this as Valves bid to erode the duoplys 80 percent console market share by offering upgradeable, library-agnostic hardware at competitive prices.
Pricing and How to Buy
Valve has yet to lock in final figures, but estimates peg the Steam Machine at $650 to $1000 based on storage, undercutting premium consoles in the $600 to $900 range. The Frame VR could hit around $1000, with the Steam Controller ranging from $100 to $200 if sold separately.
Pre-orders should open via the official Steam storefront in late 2025, with US shipping targeted for early Spring 2026. International rollout will follow, prioritising regions with strong Steam adoption. Keep an eye on Valves hardware page for reservation alerts and bundle deals to snag early units.
