Dropping the 3.5mm Jack in 2026: The New Steam Controller Is 10 Years Late to a Bad Trend

Valverecently revealed its upcoming slate of hardware, which includes the standalone Steam Frame VR headset, a new Steam Controller, and, most significantly, a revamped rendition of the Steam Machine, a follow-up to the company’s failed console-PC hybrid from 2015. With this fresh tech, Valve seeks to gain a stronger foothold in the gaming hardware market, expanding its already-strong position in the wake of the wildly successful Steam Deck.