Valve delays Steam Machine and VR headset as chip costs skyrocket

Valve has delayed its new Steam Machine and Steam Frame VR headset due to soaring component costs. The company originally planned to launch both devices in early 2026, but sharp price hikes for memory chips have forced a postponement. A new release window is now set for the first half of the year, though exact dates and pricing remain uncertain.

The delay stems from severe shortages in the DRAM and NAND chip markets. Since November 2024, demand from AI servers and production cuts have driven prices up dramatically. Samsung raised NAND prices by over 100% and DRAM by nearly 70% in early 2026, while SK Hynix and GUOKEWEI announced similar hikes. These shortages have disrupted supply chains across multiple industries, affecting everything from smartphones to cloud infrastructure.

Valve had intended to price the Steam Machine similarly to a comparable gaming PC, without subsidies. However, the sudden spike in memory costs made the original early-2026 launch unfeasible. The Steam Frame VR headset faces the same challenges, with its release date and final pricing still under review. Both products are now expected sometime in the first half of the year, though Valve has stressed that flexibility is necessary given the volatile market.

The delays highlight the broader impact of memory shortages on tech products. Valve's Steam Machine and Steam Frame will now arrive later than planned, with final pricing dependent on component costs. Consumers and manufacturers alike are facing longer waits as the industry adjusts to ongoing supply constraints.