Steam Frame Release Date, Price, Specs, And Everything We Know About Valve’s Next-Gen VR Headset

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Valve released its first VR headset, the Valve Index, several years ago in 2019. Since then, they’ve been working on a new headset called the Steam Frame. This standalone device updates Valve’s VR technology with features like inside-out tracking, better streaming, built-in processing power, and compatibility with Android apps.

The Steam Deck VR headset is more than just next-generation – it’s a powerful device that Valve is trying to price competitively. They’re aiming for high-end performance without the extremely high cost of headsets from companies like Apple, Meta, and Samsung.

Here’s a complete overview of the Steam Deck, based on what Valve has revealed so far. We’ve gathered all the details, including when it’s expected to launch, its technical specs, how you can use it, compatible controllers, and the price. We’ll keep this article updated with the latest information from Valve as we get closer to the early 2026 release. If you’re thinking about getting both the Steam Deck and the Steam Machine, you might also want to check out everything we know about that device.

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Steam Frame Release Date

Valve plans to release the Steam Frame in the first three months of 2026. While a specific date isn’t confirmed yet, Valve is aiming for an early 2026 launch, with a more precise target of Q1 2026 – meaning before the end of March. Similar to the Steam Deck, the Steam Frame will be sold directly through Steam in currently supported regions, and through some other retailers in other areas. If you can currently buy a Steam Deck, you should be able to order a Steam Frame, and Valve intends to make it available in more locations in the future.

Steam Frame Price

Valve didn’t reveal the price of the Steam Deck, just like with all their other hardware announcements. The Steam Deck is different from the older Index headset because it doesn’t need to be connected to a computer – it handles everything itself, which will influence how much it costs. Plus, the components used in VR headsets have generally become more affordable, making it harder to estimate the price based on the original Valve Index, which cost $1000.

The Steam Frame is shaping up to be a high-end VR headset, and it will probably be expensive. Valve seems to have made some trade-offs to potentially lower the price, such as using LCD screens instead of OLED and black-and-white cameras instead of color ones. Until Valve officially reveals the price, it’s hard to say for sure how much it will cost.

Steam Frame Specifications

The Steam Frame is different from previous VR headsets by Valve because it doesn’t need to be connected to a computer – it works on its own. It has a powerful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip (the same one found in high-end Android phones) built right in. This allows the Steam Frame to run SteamOS directly, and Valve has optimized it to work with ARM processors, similar to how Proton lets you play PC games on Linux. This means you can play games natively on the headset. It also fully supports running Android apps. With 16GB of fast LPDDR5X RAM, the Steam Frame is a capable device, and Valve is demonstrating its power by running Half-Life: Alyx natively on it.

The Steam Frame offers multiple ways to play. You can run games directly on the headset, or stream them from a nearby PC using the included wireless dongle. This lets you enjoy both VR games and traditional PC games on a bigger screen inside the headset. The dongle creates a fast and reliable connection using 6GHz Wi-Fi, and the headset uses two antennas to handle all the incoming data. One antenna focuses on streaming high-quality video and audio, while the other manages your regular internet connection. This dual-antenna system provides a more stable and visually impressive streaming experience compared to previous options from Valve and other companies.

The Steam Frame features two high-resolution displays (2160×2160 per eye) and special pancake lenses that provide a wide 110-degree view. You can easily adjust the distance between the lenses to fit your eyes using a wheel on top of the headset, and a button lets you lock your preferred setting. A spacer is included if you need to wear glasses, and Valve plans to offer custom prescription lenses in the future. Each side of the headstrap has two speakers for immersive sound. The battery has been moved to the back of the headstrap to help balance the headset and make it more comfortable for extended use. The headset itself is surprisingly light at just 185g, and the complete setup with the headstrap weighs around 440g.

The Valve Index used external sensors for precise tracking, but the Steam Frame uses inside-out tracking, similar to many other headsets. It has four outward-facing black and white cameras with infrared lights for improved tracking and a clearer view of your surroundings, even in low light. This ‘passthrough’ view, which lets you see the real world around you, is also in black and white and can be turned on whenever you like. The headset also includes ports so you can connect extra accessories or cameras later on.

The headset includes two internal cameras, in addition to the external tracking cameras, that constantly monitor your pupils. This technology, called foveated streaming, allows the headset – like the PlayStation VR 2 – to focus processing power on exactly what you’re looking at, making that area appear sharper while subtly reducing detail in your peripheral vision. Valve claims this can improve visual clarity up to ten times, and because it operates at a hardware level, it works automatically with all games on Steam.

You can find the full specifications for the Steam Frame below.

Category Specification
Processor 4 nm ARM64 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
RAM 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM
Storage 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options, microSD card slot for expanded storage
Power Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion batteryOne USB-C 2.0 port in the rear, for charging and dataCharge with USB-C, 45W
Modular Headstrap Headstrap includes integrated dual audio drivers and and rechargeable battery on rear.Headstrap weight: 245gCore module can be separated from headstrap, for other headstrap solutions.
Display 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental)
Optics Custom pancake lensesGlass and non-glass optical elementsLarge FOV (up to 110 degrees)
IPD target range 60mm – 70mm
Eye glasses max width 140mm
Tracking Inside-out camera based tracking
Cameras 4x outward facing monochrome cameras for controller and headset tracking2x interior cameras for eye tracking and foveated streaming
Passthrough Monochrome passthrough via outward facing cameras
Low-light support IR illuminators for tracking and passthrough in dark environments
Expansion User accessible front expansion portDual high speed camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane)
Wi-Fi Wi-Fi 7, 2x2Dual radios enable concurrent 5GHz Wi-Fi and 6GHz VR streaming
Wireless Adapter Wireless adapter included in the boxWi-Fi 6E (6GHz)Provides direct, low-latency link between headset and PC
Bluetooth Bluetooth 5.32.4GHz dedicated link for Steam Frame Controllers
Speakers Dual speaker drivers per ear, integrated into headstrap
Microphone Dual microphone array
Size 175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface)
Weight 440 g – core module + headstrap185 g – core module
Operating System SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)
Desktop KDE Plasma

If you’ve used VR headsets recently, the Steam Frame’s controllers will feel instantly familiar – and that’s a good thing. They’re designed for comfortable and precise tracking, with a shape and size that lets you easily reach all the buttons and hold them securely. You won’t need a separate gamepad for either VR or regular games, as these controllers have all the inputs you’ll need. They also keep features from the Valve Index controllers, like finger tracking and adjustable straps that let you use them without squeezing tightly. Plus, they run on AA batteries, giving you up to 40 hours of playtime on a single charge. Like the latest Steam Controller, these controllers use magnetic thumbsticks, which are more durable than traditional or even hall effect sticks.

You can find the specifications for the Steam Frame controller below.

Category Specification
Motion controls Full 6-DOF tracking and IMU support
Gamepad controls A B X Y buttons (right controller)D-pad (left controller)Full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive touchL & R analog triggersL & R bumpersView / Menu / Steam buttonsDual stage grip buttons
Haptics Haptic motor in each controller
Finger tracking Capacitive sensing for all input surfacesCapacitive finger tracking
Connectivity 2.4GHz link to dedicated headset radio
Size 126mm x 73mm x 87mm per controller
Weight With battery 130 g per controllerWithout battery 107 g per controller
Power One replaceable AA battery per controller40hr battery life

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2025-11-18 13:11