SteamOS Coming to More Handhelds This April

SteamOS Coming to More Handhelds This April

SteamOS, initially envisioned as more than just the Steam Deck, is finally expanding in 2025. Lenovo will release the first third-party SteamOS handheld in May, but Valve is going further. A beta for other handhelds is set to launch after March, potentially enabling SteamOS functionality on compatible devices.

While Valve won’t confirm specific devices, the Asus ROG Ally (whose controls already have added support) and the Lenovo Legion Go are strong contenders. The community-created Bazzite, a modified Steam Deck experience, already works well on these devices, demonstrating the potential for wider compatibility.

Valve’s Stance on Bazzite and Partnerships

Valve acknowledges Bazzite as a valuable community project but emphasizes it’s not ready for preloading on devices. Hardware manufacturers must partner with Valve to officially ship SteamOS, ensuring a unified platform with consistent updates and features.

Currently, only Lenovo is partnered with Valve for official SteamOS integration. Despite claims from GPD, Valve confirms no such partnership exists. Valve promises only that a beta will improve the experience on other devices, but perfect functionality isn’t guaranteed.

Future Possibilities

Valve is open to exploring SteamOS for other form factors, like living room devices, and welcomes partnerships. While remaining tight-lipped about rumors of a Steam Controller 2 or living room box, they hint at more Steam Input-compatible controllers in the future.