Steam Hardware launch delayed: H1 2026 still planned

Component shortages hit Valve's new hardware lineup, pushing back final pricing and launch details. Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame still target H1 2026 release despite rising costs forcing complete pricing review.

Valve has delayed confirming exact launch dates and pricing for its three new hardware products due to industry-wide memory and storage shortages, according to the Steam Hardware blog. The company still aims to ship Steam Controller, Steam Machine, and Steam Frame in the first half of 2026, but rising component costs have forced a reassessment of final pricing.

Component shortages force pricing review

When Valve announced the three products in November 2025, the company planned to share specific pricing and launch dates by February 2026. However, memory and storage shortages that have affected the entire tech industry have rapidly worsened since then.

"The limited availability and growing prices of these critical components mean we must revisit our exact shipping schedule and pricing (especially around Steam Machine and Steam Frame)," Valve stated in the blog post.

Despite these challenges, Valve maintains its goal of shipping all three products within the first half of 2026. The company promises to provide concrete pricing and launch dates as soon as possible, acknowledging how quickly circumstances can change.

Steam Frame VR headset details revealed

The Steam Frame wireless VR headset will support streaming services through SteamOS's built-in browser in theatrical mode. The device includes a modular design that allows community and third-party developers to create additional features and accessories.

Steam Frame introduces foveated streaming, a system-level feature that differs from traditional foveated rendering. While foveated rendering makes games only render high-resolution data where players look, foveated streaming ensures PCs only stream high-resolution data to that viewport area.

This technology applies to all games without requiring developer work, and benefits stack with any existing foveated rendering implementations. The headset works with most glasses, though this depends on frame width, and Valve is developing prescription lens inserts for launch.

Steam Machine gaming performance

Valve's testing shows the majority of Steam titles play at 4K 60FPS with FSR on Steam Machine. Some demanding titles may require additional upscaling or lower framerates with variable refresh rate to maintain 1080p internal resolution.

The company is working on multiple improvements including HDMI VRR support, enhanced upscaling, and ray tracing optimisation in drivers. Steam Machine features upgradeable components, with both SSD (NVMe 2230 or 2280) and memory (DDR5 SODIMMs) accessible for user replacement.

Valve plans to release faceplate CAD files, specifications, and manufacturing details in coming months, allowing customers and manufacturers to create custom faceplates.

Steam Controller and Index support

The new Steam Controller works with any game compatible with the Steam Overlay, providing broad compatibility across Valve's platform. Valve confirmed it will continue supporting existing Valve Index owners despite discontinuing production of the VR headset.

Developer kits for Steam Frame are available through Valve's partner programme, though supplies remain limited. The company distributes kits on an ongoing basis to Steamworks developers who submit requests.

Frequently Asked Questions

When will Steam Hardware products launch?

Valve aims to ship all three products (Steam Controller, Steam Machine, Steam Frame) in the first half of 2026, but specific dates are being revisited due to industry component shortages.

What is foveated streaming on Steam Frame?

Foveated streaming uses eye tracking to stream high-resolution data only where the player is looking. It's a system-level feature that works with all games without requiring developer work.

Can Steam Machine play demanding games?

The majority of Steam titles play at 4K 60FPS with FSR on Steam Machine, though some may require more upscaling or lower framerates to maintain 1080p internal resolution.