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Valve’s new VR headset has finally been launched following its initial announcement back in November 2025. It’s called the Steam Frame (a trademark that was registered a couple of months before its introduction). The device was previously known under its codename, ‘Deckard’, and is the follow-up to the Valve Index – though it shouldn’t be regarded as a direct sequel.
Steam Frame arrives following two other devices: the Steam Machine and Steam Controller, released in June and May this year, respectively. This triplet of Steam-branded products joins the popular Steam Deck handheld as Valve expands its hardware lineup. Now that Steam Frame pre-orders have been opened up, here’s what you should know about the release date, specs, and price.
Steam Frame release date
The first thing to disclose is that Valve hasn’t specified an exact shipping date for the Steam Frame. However, sign-ups for the reservation queue went live on September 14, and Valve will send out invites for pre-orders via the reservation system on September 17. Reservations are randomized to deter bots and scalpers, but we don’t know when customers will actually get the headset in their hands (or rather, on their heads). This should become more evident as soon as invites are sent out.
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Valve’s reservation program, which is also being used for the new Steam Controller and Steam Machine, operates in many regions directly through the official Steam store. The Steam hardware partner for Asia, KOMODO STATION, will operate with a more basic first-come-first-served system in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, hopefully with regular restocking.
Steam Frame specs for headset and controllers
The new Steam Frame VR headset differs from its predecessor, the Index, which had to be wired up to your VR-ready PC. This time around, Steam Frame is much more akin to the Meta Quest, as a standalone headset that offers “wireless, comfortable, lightweight VR for your Steam library”. The headset comes with two controllers, which are also suitable for non-VR games.
| Specification | Steam Frame headset |
|---|---|
| Processor | 4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, ARM64 architecture |
| RAM | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM |
| Storage | 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options microSD card slot for expanded storage |
| Power | Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery 1x USB-C 2.0 port in the rear, for charging and data Charge with USB-C, 45W |
| Modular Headstrap | Headstrap includes integrated dual audio drivers and rechargeable battery on rear Headstrap weight: 245g Detachable |
| Display | 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye) 72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental) |
| Optics | Custom pancake lenses Glass and non-glass optical elements Large FOV (up to 110 degrees) |
| IPD target range | 60mm – 70mm |
| Eyeglasses max width | 140mm |
| Tracking | Inside-out camera-based tracking |
| Cameras | 4x outward-facing monochrome cameras for controller and headset tracking 2x 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 port Dual high-speed camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi 7, 2×2, dual radios (concurrent 5GHz Wi-Fi and 6GHz VR streaming), Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Audio | Dual speakers (per ear, in headstrap), Dual microphone array |
| Dimensions & Weight | 175mm x 95mm x 110mm 440 g – core module + headstrap 185 g – core module |
| Operating System & Desktop | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based), KDE Plasma desktop |
| Specification | Steam Frame controllers |
|---|---|
| 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 touch L & R analog triggers L & R bumpers View / Menu / Steam buttons Dual stage grip buttons |
| Haptics | Haptic motor in each controller |
| Finger tracking | Capacitive sensing for all input surfaces Capacitive finger tracking |
| Connectivity | 2.4ghz link to dedicated headset radio |
| Dimensions | 126mm x 73mm x 87mm per controller |
| Weight | With battery 130 g per controller Without battery 107 g per controller |
| Power | One replaceable AA battery per controller 40hr battery life |
Steam Frame price – kits & accessories
Valve waited until pre-orders opened to finally announce Steam Frame pricing. It was initially expected to launch for cheaper than the Index ($999), but rising hardware costs mean it starts at four figures in some regions, including the United States. Valve admits the headset should have been “much more affordable,” but RAM market prices have taken their toll. It launches with a couple of storage variants and three accessories to consider (including an essential Power Supply Unit).
| Steam Frame / accessory | United States (USD) | Canada (CAD) | Europe (EUR) | United Kingdom (GBP) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steam Frame 256GB + controllers | $1,059 | C$1,529 | €1,049 | £889 |
| Steam Frame 1TB + controllers | $1,299 | C$1,859 | €1,279 | £1,089 |
| Ergonomic Accessories Kit | $59 | C$89 | €69 | £59 |
| Accessory Replacement Kit | $49 | C$69 | €59 | £49 |
| Power Supply Unit | $29 | C$49 | €39 | £29 |
Is Steam Frame standalone?
Yes, the Steam Frame can be used as a standalone device. Valve even describes it as a PC, as it runs the Linux-based SteamOS and is powered by a Snapdragon 8 Series processor with 16GB of RAM. Alternatively, it’s great for streaming games. It’s marketed as a “streaming-first” headset and has some neat features to ensure smooth sailing. You hook it up to a gaming PC via a USB receiver.
For streaming, its 6GHz wireless adapter and dual radios are designed to provide a stable wireless connection. One radio transmits audio and visuals, while the other connects to your Wi-Fi. Valve also introduced its ‘Foveated Streaming’ feature. It keeps track of eye movement and optimizes details where you’re focusing. The company says this “typically offers over a 10x improvement in image quality and effective bandwidth”.
Is Steam Frame OLED?
No, the Steam Frame does not feature OLED panel technology. Instead, it is fitted with 2160 x 2160 LCDs (per eye) and offers between 72Hz and 144Hz.
A few examples that do use OLED include the Apple Vision Pro, Samsung Galaxy XR, and PlayStation VR 2, which benefit from OLED to help deliver high contrast, deep blacks, and vibrant colors. The Vision Pro and Galaxy XR use micro-OLED screens, in particular. A comparable LCD headset to the Steam Frame would be the Meta Quest 3.
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