Customs records suggest we’re now one step closer to the launch of new Steam hardware, as Valve has seemingly just received a big delivery of controllers. While some details remain unknown, such as whether these are titular Steam Controllers or units for the Steam Frame, we at least know we’re dealing with a substantial quantity of pads.
Seasoned Valve and VR content creator SadlyItsBradley highlighted a shipment listing on trade data analyser NBD Data of ‘Wireless PC controllers’ that the company imported at the beginning of April. Further investigation into the record by Videocardz uncovered that the delivery consists of 40 packages, with a whoppingly large gross weight of 12,790kg.
If these are Steam Controllers, we can very roughly estimate how many units Valve has received. The pad and puck together weigh 308g according to official specifications, which would translate to a stock of just under 4,000. Of course, there’s product and shipment packaging to consider, so I’d realistically lean more towards ~3,000 controllers.
While it’s exciting to see strong evidence of Valve hardware on the move, this shipment sadly doesn’t provide any indication of when we should expect the Steam Controller. The pad could reasonably launch ahead of the Steam Machine and Frame, as it’s not subject to the same DRAM market pressures as those systems, which are currently resulting in a lack of Steam Deck stock across the globe.
We’re now well past Valve’s initial Q1 2026 target to deliver the Steam Frame, Machine, and Controller. Until the company comes forward with a new estimate beyond the broad strokes of sometime this year, as per its delay announcement, we can only live in hope that imports like this suggest the wait for this kit won’t be for much longer.
In the meantime, check out my retrospective on the original Steam Controller, in which I explain why I think Valve has a banger in the works with its next pad.
