Valve’s New Steam Controller

Valve’s New Steam Controller: Early Review Leak Reveals a $99 Premium Pad with Dual Trackpads and TMR Sticks

Valve is quietly preparing a full comeback to dedicated gaming hardware. After years of rumors and teases tied to the upcoming Steam Machine and refreshed Steam ecosystem, an early review of the next-generation Steam Controller slipped out online yesterday via YouTube channel Techy Talk. The video was quickly taken down, but a mirror is still circulating on Streamable (https://streamable.com/lj7ut3). Clocking in at just under four minutes, it offers the first real hands-on look at what many are calling Steam Controller 2.

Here’s everything the leaked review reveals about the incoming controller.

Design and Build Quality

The new Steam Controller looks like a natural evolution of the original 2015 model, but with clear DNA from the Steam Deck. It features:

• Dual trackpads (the standout highlight according to the reviewer)
• Larger, clickier D-pad
• Four programmable rear grip buttons
• TMR (Tunnel Magneto-Resistance / Hall effect) analog thumbsticks
• Built-in gyro and HD haptic rumble

The body uses a rough-textured plastic finish. While it feels premium, the reviewer noted it can feel slightly slippery without additional grips (no official sleeves mentioned yet). There’s a USB-C port on the back, but no 3.5mm audio jack and no easily swappable battery.

The most unique accessory is the magnetic charging puck (dongle). It serves double duty: it provides low-latency 2.4 GHz wireless connection and magnetically snaps to the controller for charging. One puck can apparently support multiple controllers, and the setup works seamlessly with Steam Input on PC and Linux-based devices like the Steam Deck or upcoming Steam Machine.

Standout Features

The reviewer was clearly enthusiastic about the hardware upgrades:

1. Dual Trackpads – Right pad doubles as a precise mouse cursor for desktop navigation or aiming in games. Left pad handles scrolling and radial menus. They feel “natural” even for couch gaming and can completely replace analog sticks in many titles thanks to Steam Input customization.
2. TMR Thumbsticks – Magnetic sensors mean virtually zero stick drift and smoother, longer-lasting performance. The reviewer called the movement “fantastic.”
3. Four Rear Grip Buttons – Fully mappable through Steam Input, giving PC gamers the kind of extra inputs usually reserved for elite controllers.
4. Gyro + HD Rumble – Full motion controls and high-quality haptics are present and feel responsive.
5. Wireless Flexibility – The puck supports both proprietary 2.4 GHz and Bluetooth, with the review confirming excellent latency in the tested setup (as low as 4 ms on the wireless connection).

Notable absences: No dual-stage triggers, no hair triggers, and no swappable thumbstick modules. The reviewer still called it one of the most capable PC controllers he’s tested.

Performance in Action

The video shows gameplay of the helicopter sim Cleared Hot to demonstrate the trackpads and gyro in a demanding title. The reviewer highlighted how intuitive the trackpads feel for precise aiming and navigation compared to traditional thumbsticks. He emphasized that the combination of trackpads, gyro, and Steam Input makes this controller feel tailor-made for mouse-heavy PC games played from the couch.

Overall verdict from the early review: glowing. The hardware feels premium, the trackpads are a game-changer for certain genres, and the TMR sticks should eliminate one of the biggest pain points of modern controllers.

The Big Question: $99 Price Tag

Toward the end of the video, the reviewer casually drops the MSRP: $99. That’s roughly $25 more than a standard PlayStation 5 DualSense and about $35 more than an Xbox Wireless Controller. It lands below high-end models like the DualSense Edge or Xbox Elite Series 2, but still higher than many gamers were hoping for.

Should You Get Hyped ?

If you loved the original Steam Controller’s trackpads or already use Steam Input heavily, this feels like the refined, modern successor Valve fans have been waiting for. The TMR sticks, dual trackpads, and seamless wireless/charging puck make it a strong contender for “best PC controller” — especially if you pair it with the upcoming Steam Machine for living-room play.

Pros (per the leaked review):

• Excellent dual trackpads
• Drift-free TMR thumbsticks
• Four rear buttons + full Steam Input support
• Innovative magnetic charging puck
• Strong gyro and HD rumble

Cons:

• $99 price
• Non-swappable battery
• No audio jack
• Slightly slippery texture (no grips included)

Valve hasn’t officially confirmed the details or release date yet, but the embargo slip strongly suggests pre-orders and shipping are imminent. Keep an eye on the Steam Store — this could be the first piece of new Valve hardware to land in 2026.What do you think — is the new Steam Controller worth $99 to you, or will you hold out for a sale? Drop your thoughts in the comments, and I’ll update this post as soon as Valve makes it official.