Valve expands SteamOS support to more third-party handhelds

Valve is expanding its SteamOS operating system to support a broader range of non-Valve gaming handheld hardware. The release of the SteamOS 3.8.25 beta introduces initial gamepad support for several new devices, including the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+, which utilizes Intel’s Arc G3 processor.

While SteamOS has historically focused on AMD-powered handhelds, these updates indicate a strategic push toward Intel-based compatibility. The new version also adds support for the controllers on the Ayaneo Pocket S2 and the Windows-based Konkr Fit, while providing improved support for older MSI Claw devices and the OneXPlayer line.

Users often prefer SteamOS over Windows for handheld gaming due to its optimized, console-like interface and improved performance. Some tests have shown games like Cyberpunk 2077 performing up to 30 percent better on SteamOS compared to Windows 11 on identical hardware. Additionally, the update includes an improved Linux driver for the Steam Controller, allowing it to function with native applications even when Steam is not active.