Steam Frame

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Steam Frame
Promotional material of the Steam Frame
Codename"Deckard"
DeveloperValve Corporation
TypeVirtual reality headset
Release dateQ1 2026
Introductory priceTBA
MediaDigital distribution
Operating systemSteamOS
System on a chipQualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
CPUARM64
Memory16 GB unified LPDDR5X RAM
Storage
  • 256 GB UFS
  • 1 TB UFS
Removable storagemicroSD card slot
DisplayDual 2160 × 2160 LCD (per eye), 72–144 Hz (144 Hz experimental)
SoundDual speaker drivers per ear, dual-microphone array
Connectivity
Power
Online servicesSteam
Dimensions175 mm × 95 mm × 110 mm (6.9 in × 3.7 in × 4.3 in) (core module + facial interface)
Weight
  • 440 g (core module + headstrap)
  • 185 g (core module)
PredecessorValve Index
Websitestore.steampowered.com/sale/steamframe

Steam Frame is an upcoming standalone virtual reality headset developed by Valve Corporation. Announced in November 2025, it is expected to be released in early-2026.

Serving as a successor to the Valve Index, the Frame is a standalone device running SteamOS; VR games and apps can be run natively on the headset (with access to x86-64, Proton, and Android compatibility layers), or streamed from a PC over Wi-Fi.

Specifications

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Hardware

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The Steam Frame has a visor-like design; Valve stated that the base unit had a weight of 185 grams (0.408 lb), and 440 grams (0.97 lb) when the default facial interface and strap is installed. It uses LCD displays viewed through pancake lenses, with a per-eye resolution of 2160×2160, and support for refresh rates of 72, 120 and 144 Hz, and physical interpupillary distance adjustment via a knob.[1][2][3] It will support eye tracking, which can be used for foveated rendering.[4]

The Frame will use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip with 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and be sold in models with 256 GB and 1 TB of internal storage, expandable via microSD cards; microSD cards can also be shared with other SteamOS devices such as Steam Deck and the second-generation Steam Machine.[2][3]

Wi-Fi connectivity will be implemented with multiple Wi-Fi 7 radios in order to split internet and VR streaming traffic across 5GHz and 6GHz bands respectively. A Wi-Fi 6E USB adapter will be bundled with the Frame to provide a dedicated 6GHz connection between a PC and the headset, bypassing local area networks to reduce latency and congestion. Use of the adapter is optional, and users will be able to stream over existing local Wi-Fi networks.[1][2][3]

The front of the headset contains four monochrome passthrough cameras and an infrared emitter for inside-out tracking using simultaneous localization and mapping (SLAM). Its motion controllers are similar in design to the Touch Plus controllers used by the Meta Quest 3, but with a button layout similar to standard gamepads for improved compatibility with non-VR games, including a D-pad on the left controller and four face buttons on the right. The analog sticks will use tunneling magnetoresistance, making them less susceptible to stick drift.[3]

Valve will release CAD files and specifications to allow for the development of third-party accessories and attachments. The device includes an expansion port with a lane of PCI Express gen 4 connectivity and a MIPI camera interface; Valve suggested that the port could be used for accessories such as face tracking, depth sensors, and color passthrough cameras.[3]

Software

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The Frame will run a version of Valve's Arch Linux-based SteamOS, supporting both VR and non-VR games from Steam. It will include various compatibility layers for OS and processor support, including Proton for Microsoft Windows games, FEX-Emu for emulating x86 software on ARM, and an Android Open Source Project (AOSP)-based runtime environment with sideloading support—which will allow VR apps developed for Android-based headsets such as Meta Quest to be readily published for Frame.[5][3] Similarly to Steam Deck, the Steam storefront will mark games tested for compatibility with the headset as being "Steam Frame Certified".[3]

VR software can also be wirelessly streamed to the Frame from a gaming PC using Steam Link, with Valve emphasizing this functionality by promoting the device as a "streaming-first" headset.[1][2][3] Streaming will leverage an encoding technique Valve refers to as "foveated streaming", a variation of foveated rendering where eye tracking data is used to selectively increase the bitrate of the stream based on where the user is looking. Unlike foveated rendering, this technique is applied at the encoder level and does not require any further implementation by game developers.[3][4]

The second-generation Steam Machine will offer integration with Frame, including the ability to wake the device over the network to launch a game for streaming.[3]

History

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Ars Technica reported from internal sources that Valve had multiple prototypes for a new VR headset in development, including a PC-based headset that would succeed the Valve Index, as well as a standalone headset similar to Oculus Quest.[6] In 2021, updates to the SteamVR runtimes began adding references to a device codenamed "Deckard", as well as functionality (especially on the ARM Linux version of SteamVR) of relevance to standalone VR headsets.[6] In September 2025, it was reported that Valve had filed for trademarks on the name "Steam Frame" in reference to gaming hardware.[7]

On November 12, 2025, Valve officially announced Steam Frame as part of a new family of SteamOS products, including the second-generation Steam Machine. It is expected to be released in early-2026.[8] Valve did not announce any pricing details, but stated that it expected the headset to cost less than the Index.[2]

SteamOS developer Pierre-Loup Griffais believed that the device's use of ARM processors was a first step by Valve towards other devices utilizing them, including future handhelds.[5]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c Ridley, Jacob (2025-11-12). "After trying Valve's new VR headset, I'm ready to ditch cables for good". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  2. ^ a b c d e Heaney, David (2025-11-12). "Valve Officially Announces Steam Frame, A "Streaming-First" Standalone VR Headset". UploadVR. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Hamilton, Ian; Heaney, David (2025-11-12). "Steam Frame Hands-On: UploadVR's Impressions Of Valve's New Headset". UploadVR. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  4. ^ a b Ridley, Jacob (2025-11-12). "I tried to trick the Steam Frame's clever eye tracking and failed, miserably". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2025-11-14.
  5. ^ a b Hollister, Sean (2025-11-12). "Valve is welcoming Android games into Steam". The Verge. Retrieved 2025-11-13.
  6. ^ a b Machkovech, Sam (2021-09-28). "A new "standalone" Valve VR headset teased by deep SteamVR file dive". Ars Technica. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  7. ^ Williams, Hayley (September 4, 2025). "Valve Trademarks "Steam Frame" Amidst Rumors Of A Steam OS Console". GameSpot. Retrieved 2025-11-12.
  8. ^ Ridley, Jacob (2025-11-12). "The Steam Frame is here: 'a new way to play your entire Steam library'". PC Gamer. Retrieved 2025-11-12.