It has been years since Valve first launched its in-house VR headset, the Valve Index, again in 2019, however the Steam proprietor has spent the time properly creating its new Steam Frame. This standalone headset brings fashionable technological requirements to Valve’s VR efforts, together with inside-out monitoring, improved streaming assist, on-board processing, and even Android compatibility.
There’s a lot occurring with the Steam Frame that merely calling it a next-generation system looks like underselling it, as Valve makes an attempt to string the needle of top-in-class specs whereas additionally providing a product extra attainable than different headsets from the likes of Apple, Meta, and Samsung.
We’re rounding up the whole lot we all know in regards to the Steam Frame following Valve’s announcement, together with its launch window, full specs, utilization modes, controllers, and, after all, pricing. Verify again in for extra as we proceed to replace this put up with any new info that Valve divulges main as much as the Steam Frame’s launch in early 2026. You also needs to try the whole lot we all know in regards to the Steam Machine in case you are planning to select up the pair of {hardware} choices from Valve within the close to future.
Steam Frame Release Date
The Steam Frame might be launched in Q1 2026. Like Valve’s new Steam Machine and Steam Controller, the Steam Frame does not but have a agency launch date. As a substitute, Valve guarantees that the brand new VR headset is primed to launch in early 2026, with additional clarification from the corporate constraining that to Q1 2026. Which means you must count on the Steam Frame to launch someday earlier than March 31, 2026. Just like the Steam Deck earlier than it, Valve plans to distribute the Steam Frame by means of Steam itself in the identical areas which can be at the moment supported, with some third-party retailers supporting different areas. Mainly, in case you can order a Steam Deck, you’ll order a Steam Frame, with Valve stating that it plans to broaden its distribution over time.
Steam Frame Value
Like the remainder of its {hardware} bulletins, Valve fell wanting specifying a worth for the Steam Frame. Not like its earlier Index headset, the Steam Frame is a standalone headset with onboard processing, which can have an effect on its eventual worth. Equally, plenty of the {hardware} utilized in VR headsets has develop into cheaper over time, so it is not as straightforward to foretell a worth when trying again on the Valve Index’s $1000 asking worth.
Trying on the specs, it is clear that the Steam Frame is a sophisticated VR headset, and that can possible be mirrored in the price. However there are additionally concessions made which may maintain prices down, just like the inclusion of LCD shows over OLED, or monochromatic front-facing cameras over full colour ones. Till Valve broadcasts a worth, nevertheless, all we will do is speculate.
Steam Frame Specs
Not like Valve’s earlier VR headsets, the Steam Frame is a standalone headset. Which means that it options onboard processing, by means of a really succesful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ARM64 chip that you’d in any other case discover in flagship Android smartphones. This implies two issues. One, the Steam Frame runs SteamOS natively, with Valve working exhausting to get it working on ARM for the primary time and permitting for translation to the Linux working system just like how Proton does the identical for x86 functions, which suggests you could run video games natively on it. Secondly, which means that the Steam Frame can run Android apps, one thing which Valve says is totally supported. Mixed with 16GB of unified LPDDR5X RAM, the Steam Frame is a strong system in its personal proper, with Valve making an attempt to showcase this by having Half-Life: Alyx run on it natively.
Native gameplay is only one manner Valve expects you to play with the Steam Frame. Included with every headset is a dongle for streaming, letting you beam over gameplay from a close-by PC to get pleasure from on the Steam Frame, be it native VR titles or conventional ones you wish to play on a bigger display throughout the headset. The dongle produces a powerful 6GHz reference to the Steam Frame, with the headset itself that includes two antennas to raised handle the info coming in. One is primarily for streaming in video and audio knowledge, whereas the opposite handles your customary community connection. This improves streaming efficiency at increased bitrates, bettering the steadiness and visible high quality of the video games you are streaming over earlier options provided by Valve and rivals.
The Steam Frame comes outfitted with two 2160×2160 PCD shows (per eye), using a customized pancake lens that affords a large 110-degree area of view. Interpupillary Distance, or IPD, is managed with a easy wheel on prime of the system and may be locked in with a button close to the underside, with a supplied spacer additionally permitting you to make use of the Steam Frame with glasses (Valve says it’ll goal to supply prescription lenses someday after launch). Two audio system for every ear may be discovered on both sides of the headstrap, whereas the repositioning of the battery to the again of the headstrap helps counterbalance your complete headset for higher consolation throughout longer periods. The headset alone is simply 185g, whereas your complete factor will weigh nearer to 440g when used with the supplied headstrap.
Whereas the Valve Index made nice use of exterior cameras to trace controller and physique actions precisely, the Steam Frame as a substitute makes use of inside-out monitoring like most of its rivals. The headset options 4 outward dealing with monochrome cameras, every of which have IR illuminators for higher monitoring and passthrough assist in the dead of night. Passthrough is, equally, monochromatic, and may be activated at any time. Valve supplies enlargement ports on the entrance of the headset for customers that wish to add extra peripherals or cameras sooner or later.
Whereas there are quite a few cameras for outward monitoring, there are two extra ones contained in the headset for pupil monitoring. These low-latency cameras observe the place you are trying always, which it then makes use of to energy what Valve calls foveated streaming. Just like an answer present in Sony’s PlayStation VR 2, the Steam Frame can dynamically enhance visible readability relying on the place you are trying, which may feed streaming assets into the areas which can be truly noticed versus ones within the periphery. Valve says this will enhance visible element by nearly 10x, and works mechanically for all video games on Steam because it’s taking place at a {hardware} degree on the Steam Frame.
You will discover the complete specs for the Steam Frame under.
| Class | Specification |
|---|---|
| Processor |
4 nm ARM64 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
| RAM | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM |
| Storage |
256GB / 1TB UFS storage choices, microSD card slot for expanded storage |
| Energy |
Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery One USB-C 2.0 port within the rear, for charging and knowledge Cost with USB-C, 45W |
| Modular Headstrap |
Headstrap contains built-in twin audio drivers and and rechargeable battery on rear. Headstrap weight: 245g Core module may be separated from headstrap, for different headstrap options. |
| Show |
2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye) 72-144Hz refresh charge (144Hz experimental) |
| Optics |
Customized pancake lenses Glass and non-glass optical parts Massive FOV (as much as 110 levels) |
| IPD goal vary | 60mm – 70mm |
| Eye glasses max width | 140mm |
| Monitoring | Inside-out digital camera primarily based monitoring |
| Cameras |
4x outward dealing with monochrome cameras for controller and headset monitoring 2x inside cameras for eye monitoring and foveated streaming |
| Passthrough | Monochrome passthrough by way of outward dealing with cameras |
| Low-light assist | IR illuminators for monitoring and passthrough in darkish environments |
| Enlargement |
Consumer accessible entrance enlargement port Twin excessive pace digital camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane) |
| Wi-Fi |
Wi-Fi 7, 2×2 Twin radios allow concurrent 5GHz Wi-Fi and 6GHz VR streaming |
| Wi-fi Adapter |
Wi-fi adapter included within the field Wi-Fi 6E (6GHz) Supplies direct, low-latency hyperlink between headset and PC |
| Bluetooth |
Bluetooth 5.3 2.4GHz devoted hyperlink for Steam Frame Controllers |
| Audio system | Twin speaker drivers per ear, built-in into headstrap |
| Microphone | Twin microphone array |
| Dimension | 175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface) |
| Weight |
440 g – core module + headstrap 185 g – core module |
| Working System | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |
The controllers that ship with the Steam Frame might be very acquainted in case you’ve used another VR headset prior to now 5 years, however for good cause. Their form and measurement support in correct monitoring whereas giving your handles ample house to grip and attain all included buttons. The inputs aren’t stripped again, both, that includes the whole lot you may have to play all VR and conventional video games throughout the Steam Frame with out having to go for a extra conventional gamepad. It additionally does not lose performance from the earlier Valve Index controllers, retaining capacitive finger monitoring (and related knuckle straps that allow you to use the controller with out outright gripping it) in addition to AA battery assist for as much as 40 hours of life per cost. Like the brand new Steam Controller, the Steam Frame controller will function magnetic TMR thumbsticks that provide a larger lifespan over conventional, and even corridor impact, thumbsticks.
You will discover the specs for the Steam Frame controller under.
| Class | Specification |
|---|---|
| Movement controls | Full 6-DOF monitoring and IMU assist |
| Gamepad controls |
A B X Y buttons (proper controller) D-pad (left controller) Full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive contact L & R analog triggers L & R bumpers View / Menu / Steam buttons Twin stage grip buttons |
| Haptics | Haptic motor in every controller |
| Finger monitoring |
Capacitive sensing for all enter surfaces Capacitive finger monitoring |
| Connectivity | 2.4GHz hyperlink to devoted headset radio |
| Dimension | 126mm x 73mm x 87mm per controller |
| Weight |
With battery 130 g per controller With out battery 107 g per controller |
|
Energy |
One replaceable AA battery per controller 40hr battery life |