New details about the upcoming Steam Controller have emerged, including its anticipated release date. A Japanese publication, 4gamer, leaked that the new controller is slated for a May 4th launch in Japan at 3:00 PM local time. This suggests a potential release in other regions on the same day, with specific times for Spain, the Canary Islands, Mexico, and Colombia.
Beyond the release date, the same source provided the first images of the Steam Controller alongside the Xbox Wireless Controller and the PlayStation 5’s DualSense. This follows a prior leak from the weekend that indicated a launch price of $99. If these leaks hold true, the Steam Controller is expected to go on sale for approximately 100 euros on May 4th. As often happens with leaks, the information and images have been preserved online despite attempts to remove them.
New Steam Controller Compared to Xbox Wireless Controller and Sony DualSense PS5
The leaked images reveal that the new Steam Controller is significantly larger than its Xbox and PlayStation counterparts. This size is primarily attributed to its dual, large touchpads, a key feature of the device. It’s important to note that this controller will be compatible with a wide range of devices and will not be exclusive to the Steam Machine.
The estimated price of 99 euros for this high-end controller appears justified by its premium features. It includes a pair of full-sized, capacitive, magnetic analog sticks. The aforementioned 34.5 mm square trackpads offer haptic feedback and are pressure-sensitive, allowing for adjustable click force. Complementing these are standard A, B, X, and Y buttons, a D-pad, analog triggers, front buttons, View, Menu, Steam, and quick access buttons, along with four programmable buttons on the rear.
Official Information and Specifications
These specifications position the Steam Controller as a top-tier device, directly competing with premium controllers like the Xbox Elite Series 2 and the Sony DualSense Edge, which are typically priced much higher. The new Steam Controller is equipped with four haptic motors (two in the trackpads and two high-performance motors in the grips). It also features a 6-axis IMU gyroscope and grip sensors. Specifically, two capacitive zones along the rear of the grips activate the gyroscope.
Further details on the Steam Controller include a low-latency 2.4 GHz connection with an overall latency of approximately 8 milliseconds and a polling rate of 4 milliseconds (at a distance of 5 meters). This connection is facilitated by a dongle integrated into the Steam Controller Puck. The Puck supports up to four Steam Controllers, connects to the system via USB, and also features a magnetic charging system for the controller. For added versatility, the controller also offers Bluetooth 5.0 connectivity.
Finally, the 2026 Steam Controller houses an 8.39 Wh lithium battery, promising over 35 hours of gameplay. The controller measures 159 x 111 x 57 mm and weighs 292 grams. With this information, the specifications, price, and release date of the new Steam Controller are now largely known, with anticipation building for its market arrival.
