- By Prateek Levi
- Thu, 13 Nov 2025 03:06 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
After nearly a decade away from consoles, Valve is officially returning with an ambitious new take on the Steam Machine, a PC-console hybrid designed to bridge the gap between gaming desktops and living-room entertainment. Launching in early 2026, the new Steam Machine promises 4K gaming at 60 fps, up to 2 TB of SSD storage, and an open system that lets players install any operating system, even Windows.
Valve is positioning the device as the home-console counterpart to the Steam Deck, only far more powerful. In the company’s own words, it’s “six times as powerful” as the handheld — but still fully compatible with the same SteamOS 3 platform. “Who are we to tell you how to use your computer?” Valve quipped during the reveal, reaffirming its open-hardware philosophy.
Alongside the console, Valve also announced two other pieces of hardware: a new Steam Controller and the Steam Frame VR headset, forming a fresh lineup of Steam-branded devices built for 2026.
A Hybrid Console With PC-Level Freedom
The new Steam Machine looks like an Xbox Series X sliced in half—compact, minimal, and quietly futuristic. Running SteamOS, it gives players instant access to their Steam library through a console-style interface. But since it’s essentially a PC, users can switch to Windows, install the Xbox app, stream games through Game Pass, or run productivity apps.
The device supports 4K 60fps gaming, AMD FSR frame generation, and direct wireless pairing with up to four Steam Controllers. It even features a customisable LED light strip on the front that shows system status or download progress, with the option to change colours or turn it off completely. The front panel is also removable and customisable, with Valve showcasing different design plates during the reveal.
To ensure performance transparency, Valve is expanding its Deck Verified programme to include a new Steam Machine Verified badge, helping players gauge which titles are optimised for the console.
As for streaming, the Steam Machine can act as a host PC, allowing users to stream games to devices like the Steam Deck, the new Steam Frame VR headset, or anything that supports Steam Link.
Under the Hood: Steam Machine Specs
Valve claims the new Steam Machine has six times the horsepower of the Steam Deck, powered by custom AMD silicon. Here’s a breakdown of what’s inside:
CPU: Custom AMD Zen 4 (6-core/12-thread, up to 4.8 GHz)
GPU: AMD RDNA3 (28 compute units, 2.45 GHz sustained)
RAM: 16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Storage: 512GB or 2TB NVMe SSD, expandable via microSD
Connectivity: Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, and integrated Steam Controller wireless adapter
Ports: DisplayPort 1.4, HDMI 2.0, USB-A (front & back), USB-C 3.2, Ethernet
Power: Internal PSU, 110–240V AC
Size/Weight: 152 mm tall, 156 mm wide, 2.6 kg
The Steam Machine will launch in 512GB and 2TB variants, bundled with the new Steam Controller, though both can be purchased separately.
Meet the New Steam Controller.
Valve’s next-gen Steam Controller has also been rebuilt from the ground up. It now includes magnetic thumbsticks with TMR technology, capacitive touch support for motion controls, HD rumble, and grip-sensitive gyro features known as Grip Sense. Two trackpads sit below the thumbsticks for precision input, and a wireless puck connects magnetically, doubling as a charging dock with a USB-C port.
Like the console, the controller launches in early 2026, either standalone or in a bundle with the Steam Machine.
Steam Frame VR: Valve’s Next Step Into Immersive Gaming
Valve also teased the Steam Frame VR headset, the successor to its Index headset, built to work seamlessly with the new Steam ecosystem. Details remain limited, but it’s expected to ship alongside the Steam Machine in early 2026.
Pricing and Availability
Valve hasn’t revealed pricing yet but confirmed the new Steam hardware family—including the Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame VR—will launch in early 2026 across the US, Canada, the UK, the EU, and Australia, as well as Japan, South Korea, Hong Kong, and Taiwan through Komodo distribution.
Just like the Steam Deck, India won’t see an official launch, but imported units are likely to appear through third-party sellers — at a higher cost, naturally.
ALSO READ: ChatGPT 5.1 Is Here: OpenAI’s New Update Makes AI Feel More Human Than Ever
The original Steam Machine failed to catch on in 2015, but this reboot arrives in a different landscape — one where PC-console hybrids like the Steam Deck have proven there’s real appetite for open, flexible gaming hardware. With 4K performance, modular design, and full software freedom, Valve’s second shot at the console market might just stick this time.
