Valve has just unveiled a weird new Steam controller, and it seems like a massive upgrade compared to its predecessor

Date:
Wed, 12 Nov 2025 18:31:00 +0000

Description:
Valve has just unveiled a new controller.

FULL STORY

Valve has just unveiled a selection of hardware products, including an
all-new Steam Controller that seems set to right the wrongs of the past.

The controller is compatible with "any device that runs Steam" according to Valve, which means PCs, PC handhelds , and the new Steam Machine and Steam Frame systems. It works with iOS and Android too, though seemingly only
through the Steam Link app.

In addition to a Bluetooth connection 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, on top of your usual wired charging options.

In terms of battery life, Valve claims that the controller is capable of more than 35 hours of play time on a single charge - an impressive figure that
would put it up there with battery life titans like the Nintendo Switch 2 Pro Controller .

You can view a selection of key specs below.

Compatibility PC, Mac, iOS / Android via Steam Link

Connectivity Steam Controller Puck, USB, Bluetooth

Battery life 35+ hours

Inputs
TMR magnetic thumbsticks, grip sense, ABXY buttons, D-pad, L/R triggers, L/R bumpers, View button, Menu button, Steam button, QAM buttons, four remappable grip buttons, 2x haptic trackpads

Haptics HD haptics

Additional features Steam Controller Puck charging

Lesson's learned?

With this new announcement it's hard not to think back to the launch of original Steam Controller, which dropped in November 2015.

Although undeniably innovative due to its focus on compatibility with mouse
and keyboard games, it was an unpopular product that was discontinued just
four years after its launch.

This new iteration seems like a decent improvement though, mainly thanks to
its additional thumbsticks. The first Steam Controller featured just one
small thumbstick that was awkwardly placed and difficult to control.

This new design has two, and is backed up by tunnelling magneto-resistance (TMR) - the current gold standard in thumbstick technology. Thanks to the use of small magnets, TMR thumbsticks are more durable and reliable than traditional potentiometer sensors (which require physical contact and are therefor more prone to wear).

I'm not convinced by the controller's shape, however, which appears... a tad unergonomic to say the least. I'm hopeful it at least feels better than it looks in the hands and there are still plenty of interesting features here to get excited about. I'm most looking forward to trying out the grip sense,
which seems like it will be a blessing in first-person shooter games.

Thanks to this addition holding down the grips activates the gyroscope, ideal if you need fine aiming.

Will this rather odd-looking controller resonate with consumers? We'll just have to wait and see when it arrives next year.

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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/gaming/gaming-accessories/valve-has-just-unveiled-a- new-steam-controller-and-it-seems-like-a-massive-upgrade-compared-to-its-prede cessor

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