- Valve just announced a new Steam controller
- It will be launched in spring 2026
- This seems like a huge improvement over the company’s last attempt.
Valve has just revealed a selection of hardware products, including a brand new Steam controller that looks set to right the wrongs of the past.
The controller is compatible with “any device running Steam” according to Valve, which means PCs, handhelds, and the new Steam Machine and Steam Frame systems. It also works with iOS and Android, but apparently only through the Steam Link app.
In addition to Bluetooth and wired USB Type-C capabilities, it comes with the Steam Controller Puck – a plug and play dongle with a pre-paired, low-latency connection. The Puck can also be used to charge the controller, in addition to your usual wired charging options.
In terms of battery life, Valve claims the controller is capable of over 35 hours of gaming time on a single charge – an impressive figure that would put it on par with battery life titans like the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller.
You can view a selection of key specifications below.
|
Compatibility |
PC, Mac, iOS/Android via Steam Link |
|
Connectivity |
Steam Controller Puck, USB, Bluetooth |
|
Battery life |
35+ hours |
|
Starters |
TMR magnetic joysticks, grip sensor, ABXY buttons, D-pad, L/R triggers, L/R bumpers, View button, Menu button, Steam button, QAM buttons, four remappable grip buttons, 2 haptic trackpads |
|
Haptics |
Tactical HD |
|
Additional Features |
Loading the Steam Controller Puck |
Has the lesson been learned?
With this new announcement, it’s hard not to think back to the launch of the original Steam Controller, released in November 2015.
While undeniably innovative due to its emphasis on compatibility with mouse and keyboard gaming, it was an unpopular product that was discontinued just four years after its launch.
This new iteration seems to be a decent improvement though, mainly thanks to its additional controllers. The first Steam controller only featured a small, awkwardly placed joystick that was difficult to control.
This new design features two and is supported by a tunnel magnetoresistor (TMR) – the current benchmark in thumb technology. Thanks to the use of small magnets, TMR controllers are more durable and reliable than traditional potentiometric sensors (which require physical contact and are therefore more prone to wear).
However, I am not convinced by the shape of the controller, which seems… not very ergonomic, to say the least. I hope it at least feels better than it looks in the hands and that there are still plenty of cool features here to get excited about. I’m really looking forward to trying out the grip sense, which seems to be a blessing in first-person shooters.
With this addition, holding down the handles activates the gyroscope, ideal if you need fine aim.
Will this rather strange looking controller resonate with consumers? We’ll just have to wait and see when it arrives next year.
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