Valve recently updated its Year in Review statement. Consequently, the company confirmed that its planned 2026 hardware lineup is still launching this year. The lineup includes the highly anticipated Steam Machine, a redesigned Steam Controller, and the Steam Frame headset. Moreover, Valve denied rumors of any delays despite ongoing industry-wide memory and storage shortages. Steam already dominates the PC gaming market, boasting a player base double that of the Epic Games Store. Now, the company is preparing for a major push into the console market.
Valve reworded their Year In Review post to confirm that ALL Steam Hardware products will be shipped in 2026.
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u/dilbertron in
Steam
The Steam Machine Packs a Serious Punch
Valve officially revealed the Steam Machine late last year. The company still targets a release in the first half of this year. Furthermore, the console promises next-gen performance. It packs 16 GB of DDR5 system RAM and 8 GB of GDDR6 RAM. Additionally, it features a semi-customized AMD RDNA 3 GPU. Because of these specs, the console supports 4K gaming at 60 FPS alongside ray tracing. Valve claims this new hardware is over six times as powerful as the Steam Deck. Players can choose between 512 GB and 2 TB storage models.
However, Valve has not announced official pricing. Recently, a leaked listing from an authorized Czech retailer suggested a staggering $1,000 price tag. Fans speculate that ongoing RAM shortages could drive this price even higher as companies struggle to acquire RAM chips.
Fresh Hardware: New Controller & Steam Frame
Valve is also bringing two new peripherals to the market. First, a redesigned Steam Controller iterates on the original model. It adds a pair of touchpads and redesigned magnetic thumbsticks. Therefore, players can expect better responsiveness and long-term reliability. Second, Valve plans to launch the Steam Frame. This versatile headset supports both VR and non-VR gaming. Furthermore, it features wireless connectivity to both PCs and the new Steam Machine. Valve did not provide specific release dates for these accessories beyond the 2026 window.
Supply Chain Struggles Continue
These ambitious hardware plans arrive during a difficult time. Valve currently struggles to keep the Steam Deck in stock. Specifically, the handheld console is sold out across the US and much of Europe. Moreover, Valve recently implemented a price hike for the Steam Deck in several Asian markets. Gamers in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan must now pay up to $100 more. Severe memory, storage, and chip shortages continue to plague the entire industry. Still, fans hope the Steam Machine launch succeeds despite these massive supply chain hurdles.
