Valve confirms Steam Machine and Steam Frame launch for summer 2026 amid hardware cost pressures
While the Steam Machine is reportedly six times more powerful than the current handheld, Valve has withheld pricing details for the new devices, leaving investors and consumers to navigate a market where competitors have already raised costs.
Valve has officially confirmed that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will be released in summer 2026. The announcement was made via a blog post detailing the inclusion of these devices in the 'Verified' program, which certifies game compatibility and performance. The Steam Machine is described as being approximately six times more powerful than the existing Steam Deck, while the Steam Frame serves as a dedicated VR headset.
The Verified program criteria for the Steam Machine are nearly identical to those for the Steam Deck, suggesting a significant portion of the existing library will meet performance standards. For the Steam Frame, the 'Standalone Verified' program focuses on out-of-the-box performance in standalone mode, specifically testing default graphics configuration, display clarity for text and UI, and controller functionality for both VR and non-VR titles. Valve is currently updating its digital store to reflect these new verification standards.
No pricing has been disclosed for the new hardware, despite a global memory shortage driving up costs for gaming consoles and PCs in 2026. Valve previously raised the price of the Steam Deck by up to $300, and the Steam Controller launched in May at $99. The absence of cost details comes amid concerns regarding potential price sensitivity, particularly following recent price increases for the Steam Deck.
Industry trends suggest further cost increases across the sector. Competitors such as Xbox, Sony, and Nintendo are also raising prices or planning to do so, with Nintendo expected to follow suit with the Switch 2. The ongoing global memory shortage has dramatically driven up prices of gaming consoles and PCs in 2026, and there is no clear end in sight.
While the Steam Controller hit the market on 4 May 2026 at $99, exact release dates within the summer window for the Machine and Frame have not been provided. The specific impact of the global memory shortage on the final pricing of these new devices remains unclear, though industry trends suggest potential increases.
