Valve’s Steam Machine, Frame, and Controller Set to Launch in 2024 Instead of H1 2026

Late yesterday, Valve unveiled a 2025 retrospective on Steam, which also shed light on the anticipated launches of the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and Steam Controller. This announcement stirred interest among avid gamers and industry watchers alike.

Initially, Valve’s aim was to release all three products by early 2026, a target validated by AMD’s CEO Lisa Su. However, Valve has since indicated a shift in their timeline due to the ongoing challenges stemming from a global memory and storage shortage. Consequently, the new goal is now the first half of 2026.

In the latest update, Valve’s note subtly hints that the launch window could be further extended. They stated:

Here’s the lineup of hardware we announced in 2025. We shared recently that there have been challenges with memory and storage shortages, but we will be shipping all three products this year. More updates will be shared as we finalize our plans.

This statement implies a potential postponement of the release until later in 2026, rather than firmly within the first half of the year, indicating that a delay into the latter half could be very plausible. The ongoing shortages in memory and storage are significant factors, creating uncertainty surrounding the pricing of the Steam Machine, in particular.

It’s essential to note that Valve has no plans to subsidize the hardware, unlike competitors such as Nintendo, Sony, and Microsoft, who have historically offered hardware at lower profit margins. Instead, Valve’s pricing structure is expected to align with current market prices for similar components available for personal computers. However, due to surging demand driven by the AI sector, prices for memory and storage have risen dramatically. This could mean an increase of approximately $100 to $200, especially affecting configurations like the high-capacity 2TB NVMe SSD option of the Steam Machine.

For those seeking a recap, here are the official specifications of the Steam Machine:

Category	Specification
I/O
Displays	DisplayPort 1.4: Up to 4K @ 240Hz or 8K @ 60Hz. Supports HDR, FreeSync, and daisy-chaining.HDMI 2.0: Up to 4K @ 120Hz with HDR and FreeSync, including CEC.
USB	– Two USB-A 3.2 Gen 1 (front)– Two USB-A 2.0 High speed (back)– One USB-C 3.2 Gen 2 (back)
Networking	Gigabit Ethernet
LED Strip	17 individually addressable RGB LEDs for system status and customization
Size & Weight
Size	152 mm tall (148 mm without feet), 162.4 mm deep, 156 mm wide
Weight	2.6 kg
Software
Operating System	SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Desktop	KDE Plasma
General
CPU	Semi-custom AMD Zen 4 6C/12T – Up to 4.8 GHz, 30W TDP
GPU	Semi-custom AMD RDNA3 28CUs – 2.45GHz max sustained clock, 110W TDP
RAM	16GB DDR5 + 8GB GDDR6 VRAM
Power	Internal power supply, AC 110-240V
Storage	Two models:– 512GB NVMe SSD– 2TB NVMe SSDBoth models include a high-speed microSD slot
Connectivity
Wi-Fi	2×2 Wi-Fi 6E
Bluetooth	Bluetooth 5.3 (dedicated antenna)
Steam Controller	Integrated 2.4 GHz Steam Controller wireless adapter