Valve Announces Steam Frame, a "Streaming-First" Standalone VR Headset
10 days ago
- #Technology
- #VR
- #Gaming
- Steam Frame is a standalone VR headset by Valve, launching in early 2026.
- Features a lightweight modular design with replaceable battery strap and built-in speakers.
- Runs SteamOS, supporting Linux, Windows, and Android games via Proton and Foveated Streaming.
- Includes wireless PC adapter for leveraging gaming PC power, with dedicated 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E connection.
- Powered by Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset with 16GB RAM, offering better performance than Meta Quest 3.
- Features dual 2160×2160 LCD panels with pancake lenses and configurable refresh rates up to 144Hz.
- Four grayscale tracking cameras for inside-out tracking, with IR illuminators for low-light use.
- Includes Steam Frame Controllers with gamepad parity, capacitive sensing, and TMR thumbsticks.
- Front expansion port allows for future add-ons like color cameras or depth sensors.
- Compared to Meta Quest 3 and Samsung Galaxy XR, Steam Frame offers higher resolution displays and better performance.
- Valve aims to price Steam Frame below the $1000 Valve Index full-kit.
- Steam Machine, a consolized PC, will also launch alongside Steam Frame, offering more power than Steam Deck.