Valve has presented its new hardware devices for video games, with a new completely wireless Steam Frame virtual reality (VR) viewer, the Steam Machine console that brings the power of the PC in a compact format, and the second version of the Steam Controller.
The video game company has announced its commitment to new devices for video games, which it intends to launch in early 2026 and with which it returns to the desktop console market, recovering the line of Steam Machines that was presented for the first time in 2014.
In this sense, the new Steam Machine console is presented as an alternative to traditional consoles based on the SteamOS operating system, which offers a 4K gaming experience at 60 frames per second, exceeding the power of its Steam Deck portable console by more than six times.
This is because it has partnered with AMD for power. It is equipped with a 6-core AMD Zen 4 CPU capable of reaching up to 4.8 GHz, as well as an AMD RDNA3 GPU with a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz. Thus, it offers 8GB of GDDR6 memory along with 16 GB of DDR5 RAM. Likewise, it has been presented with two storage sizes, 512 GB and 2 TB, although both models allow this space to be expanded using a microSD card.
Regarding its design, this console has a cube-shaped chassis of about 16cm, with the front part interchangeable using a magnetic system to facilitate customization. In addition, it has an LED strip that lights up to provide information about the status of the system or the progress of downloads and that can be customized with different colors and animations.
Valve has detailed that the power supply is integrated into the console itself. Likewise, the connection is ready for “all peripherals and monitors”, with a Gigabit Ethernet port, DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, a USB-C port and four USB-A ports, along with an integrated 2.4GHz wireless adapter for Steam Controller. In addition, it offers connectivity with WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
Being powered by SteamOS, the company has stressed that it is a console that continues to be the players’ PC, only with a compact format, since it allows you to install applications or even another operating system. In addition, it is designed to play without the need for complicated configurations, “without giving up the power and flexibility of a PC.”
All in all, it can be connected for gaming on the TV or any monitor, as well as streaming more demanding games to the Steam Deck, Steam Frame, or any other device running Steam or Steam Link.
GAMES IN VIRTUAL REALITY WITH STEAM FRAME
Valve has also announced its Steam Frame virtual reality viewer, which is not the first device in this category that the company presents, since it presented the Valve Index in 2019, but in this case it has been presented as a completely renewed option.
As defined by the technology, Steam Frame is a completely wireless set of VR headset and controllers, since it does not use any cables, which prioritizes transmission and is compatible with the entire Steam library, both conventional and virtual reality games.
This headset features a lightweight (440 grams) and compact design, with balanced weight between the front and rear to ensure a comfortable experience. Likewise, it integrates Pancake lenses, thin and light, which offer clarity when viewing content and a wide field of vision. Added to this is a 2160 x 2160 LCD panel for each eye, which offers a refresh rate ranging from 72 to 144 Hz.
On the other hand, it also equips a camera tracking system, with four high-resolution monochrome lenses that are used to track hands and controls, and two internal cameras for eye tracking. It also has infrared LEDs on the outside that guarantee tracking even in dark environments.
In addition to all this, the headset offers high-quality audio by having dual stereo speakers on each side, which have been positioned oriented in opposite directions so as to cancel vibrations that “could interfere with the tracking system.”
The headset controls, for their part, are designed like a conventional controller but divided into two, so that they adapt to any type of game. This is because they include the ‘A’, ‘B’, ‘X’ and ‘Y’ buttons, as well as the D-pad, analog sticks, triggers and other face buttons, positioned as usual. These controllers are powered by batteries, offering about 40 hours of play.
Valve has detailed that the Steam Frame is powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with 16GB of RAM, which allows you to run games natively without needing to stream them from a PC. It also includes 256GB and 1TB storage options, along with a microSD card slot to expand this capacity.
Likewise, he has highlighted how, to offer quality gaming, the new Steam Frame viewer has foveated transmission, a new feature that optimizes details in the area where the user is looking, improving image quality and bandwidth more than 10 times. This feature is also available for all Steam Link compatible headsets.
On the other hand, it also has a 6 GHz wireless adapter and dual receivers, so you can stream both VR and conventional games with an even more stable connection. As he explained, while one of the receivers is responsible for the audiovisual transmission, the other connects to the WiFi, this offers two dedicated connections, which ensure “unmatched bandwidth.”
However, it also uses the SteamOS operating system and a development kit is already available. As for its battery, it offers a 21.6 Wh rechargeable battery, although the autonomy has not been specified.
NUEVO STEAM CONTROLLER
Along with all this, Valve has also presented the second version of the Steam Controller, which integrates all the controls of the Steam Deck portable console in a single wireless controller. Both the ‘joysticks’, the front buttons, the grip buttons and the triggers, as well as ‘trackpads’ for mouse and gyroscope controls.
This controller is compatible with any device that runs Steam, so it can be used to play on any format, be it a PC, the new home console, the portable console, and the virtual reality headset.
All of these devices will be launched in early 2026 for players although, for the moment, Valve has not shared their price, which will be announced later.