On November 19, 2024, several news outlets reported on inside information that a new generation of Steam Controller was in the works.[3][4]
On November 26, 2024, a render of the device first leaked online.[5]
On November 12, 2025, Valve announced a newly designed Steam Controller alongside the second iteration of Steam Machine and the standalone VR headset Steam Frame.[6] The base price of US$99 was announced on April 27, 2026, with sales starting shortly before 10:00 PDT (UTC−07:00) on May 4, 2026.
The design is similar to Steam Deck without the built-in screen. It has the same control inputs, with two haptic trackpads below each joystick, four grip buttons on the back of the controller, and gyroscopic controls. The analog thumbsticks use tunnel magnetoresistance (TMR) to combat joystick drifting issues.[9]
The 8.39Wh lithium-ion battery is rated to last about 35 hours between charges[10]. If it needs to be replaced, the controller can be disassembled with a T6 Torx driver; there are no clips, adhesives, or custom fasteners[11].
The controller is intended to connect to a PC through the use of a proprietary 2.4GHz wireless USB-C dongle that doubles as a magnetic charging dock. It can also connect via Bluetooth, albeit with substantially higher signal latency[12]. The controller can also recharge and send input by connecting via the bundled USB-C cable itself.
The unreleased second-generation Steam Machine features an integrated wireless dongle that allows the Steam Controller to be recharged by placing it on top of the device.
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