Valve has announced three new gaming hardware products as it prepares a major push into the console and virtual reality markets. The lineup includes the Steam Machine console, the Frame VR headset and an upgraded Steam Controller. All three are set to launch in spring 2026 and are designed to give players easy access to the Steam library with performance that Valve says can rival or surpass leading consoles.
At the centre of the launch is the Steam Machine, a compact cube shaped console built for living room gaming. It runs on SteamOS and offers more than six times the graphical power of the Steam Deck. Players can expect smooth 4K gameplay at sixty frames per second with ray tracing and upscaling technologies such as FSR. The console is powered by a semi custom AMD Zen 4 processor with six cores and twelve threads, boosted up to 4.8GHz, paired with an RDNA3 GPU with twenty eight compute units running at 2.45GHz. It includes sixteen gigabytes of DDR5 RAM and eight gigabytes of GDDR6 VRAM.
Storage options include five hundred twelve gigabytes or two terabytes of SSD space, with the option to expand via microSD. Connectivity features include Wi Fi 6E, one gigabit Ethernet, USB ports, DisplayPort and HDMI with HDR support. A programmable LED bar and controller wake feature add convenience. Users can access their existing Steam game library without needing extra subscriptions or adapters.
Valve is also introducing the Frame VR headset, a wireless device described as a Steam Deck for your face. It uses an Arm based Qualcomm Snapdragon chip and can run Windows games natively. It also supports Android apps, including those added through APK sideloading. This flexibility may encourage developers to bring VR experiences from other platforms to Steam, supported by a dedicated developer kit.
The headset offers Proton compatibility, multitasking with floating browser windows and effective cooling through a heat pipe and heat spreader. Full display specifications are yet to be revealed. It runs on SteamOS to ensure smooth integration with the Steam ecosystem.
The updated Steam Controller completes the hardware trio. It features magnetic thumbsticks with adjustable tension and dual trackpads that provide mouse-like precision. The controller is designed for both casual and competitive gamers and is expected to be offered in bundles with the Steam Machine, while also being sold separately.
With this range of devices, Valve is positioning itself as a challenger to Sony and Nintendo. The Steam Machine’s power and open platform could attract gamers who prefer more flexibility than traditional console ecosystems. The Frame VR headset aims to compete with high end VR offerings by adding Android compatibility. Analysts see this as Valve’s attempt to cut into the large market share held by the two major console makers.
Pricing has not been finalized, but estimates suggest the Steam Machine console may cost between six hundred fifty and one thousand dollars depending on storage. The Frame VR headset is expected to be priced around one thousand dollars, while the Steam Controller could cost between one hundred and two hundred dollars.
Pre-orders are likely to begin on the official Steam website in late 2025, with shipping in the United States planned for early spring 2026. International availability will follow in regions where Steam has a strong user base.
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