New Steam Controller leak sparks debate after PS5 DualSense comparison surfaces

There have been many leaks surrounding the Steam Controller recently, and the last notable one came from an accidentally published review by 4Gamer. That leak suggests that the wireless controller will release in Japan on May 4, 2026, which is around the corner.

Now, real-world pictures from that specific 4Gamer review have surfaced, and in some of the shots, the outlet has compared the Steam Controller to the Sony DualSense and Xbox One. Of course, Valve has already disclosed the dimensions at the November 2025 announcement. However, these side-by-side shots offer a more grounded sense of the controller's footprint.

Compared to the Sony DualSense, the Steam Controller appears larger, with a wider body. This size, combined with the lower-positioned trackpads, has sparked a debate around reachability and long-term comfort, especially for users with small hands.

While the images don't confirm anything, Valve did showcase the Steam Controller being held by different sets of hands, and the official promo shots didn't point to any obvious usability concerns. However, the design and control placement should feel very familiar to those who have the Steam Deck.

As for those who are coming from other controllers, particularly the Xbox Wireless Controller (Elite Series 2 curr. $149.99 on Amazon), these side-by-side shots suggest that the Steam Controller can seem less intuitive at first. The good news is that the reported launch is over the horizon, and it won't be long before full reviews come online. They should give a better perspective on how Valve's design choices translate to real-world use.