Valve continues to expand the reach of SteamOS, and more handheld devices are finally being included.
Valve's SteamOS handheld empire has just expanded further.
SteamOS is not solely a product created for Valve's gaming hardware, as the company is demonstrating by broadening compatibility to additional handheld devices beyond the Steam Deck. While the platform has never been limited to just the Steam Deck, various new handhelds from MSI, Ayaneo, and Konkr are now receiving support for Valve's latest SteamOS beta.
According to Notebookcheck, Valve's recent SteamOS 3.8.25 beta has extended support to several third-party handhelds. This doesn’t mean that Valve is granting every device full SteamOS certification, but the update brings numerous devices closer to functioning effectively with the company's gaming-centric operating system.
Four more handhelds are now on Valve’s radar.
The most significant updates relate to controller compatibility. SteamOS 3.8.25 adds initial gamepad support for the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, Konkr FIT, and Ayaneo Pocket S2. Additionally, Valve has updated gamepad support for the OneXPlayer Apex when its newer firmware is in use.
Beyond these enhancements, Valve has also improved support for various MSI Claw and OneXPlayer device models, as well as for handhelds that utilize external Wi-Fi adapters or lack Wi-Fi adapters altogether. An intermittent issue that caused input neglect with some third-party handhelds has been addressed.
SteamOS 3.8.25 is currently accessible through the Beta and Preview channels, indicating that these additions are still undergoing testing. Valve has also noted a known performance issue that may arise when composition is required, particularly when FSR is activated. The company has mentioned that this specific issue has already been resolved in the stable SteamOS 3.8.16 release.
SteamOS continues to step outside of Valve’s hardware.
This development has been anticipated for quite some time. Lenovo’s Legion Go S became the first third-party handheld officially licensed to ship with SteamOS, thereby allowing Valve’s software to reach devices beyond the Steam Deck family. The growth of SteamOS could create more competition for Windows in the handheld PC market.
Val also included Steam Machine Firmware 108 in the beta, addressing sleep-related issues, including a rare bug that might reduce CPU performance after the system is awakened. Moreover, SteamOS has transitioned to Linux kernel 6.18.42. The Steam Deck has introduced millions to SteamOS, and with the Steam Machine, it is catering to an even larger audience. However, this rollout could prove just as crucial for the platform's long-term success.
Vikhyaat Vivek is a tech journalist and reviewer with seven years of experience covering consumer hardware, focusing on…
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Valve continues to expand the reach of SteamOS, and more handheld devices are finally being included.
The latest beta of SteamOS from Valve introduces gamepad support for handhelds from MSI, Ayaneo, and Konkr, while also enhancing compatibility for various OneXPlayer and MSI devices.
