Steam Frame VR headset release date window, specs, and price estimate
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Valve’s new VR headset has finally been announced, following rumors and leaks that hinted at new Steam-branded hardware. It’s called the Steam Frame (a trademark that was registered a couple of months ago) and is set for release in 2026. This 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 sequel.
Steam Frame is set to arrive alongside two other devices: the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. This triplet of Steam-branded products joins the popular Steam Deck handheld as Valve expands its hardware lineup. There are still a few key details to learn, but here’s what we know so far about the Frame’s release date, specs, and price.
Steam Frame release date window
The first thing to disclose is that Valve hasn’t specified an exact release date for the Steam Frame. Instead, much like the other hardware on the way, it is set for an “early 2026” release. Again, like the other hardware, it will be available to buy in many regions through the official Steam store or the newly rebranded KOMODO STATION in Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea.
Rumors surrounding the ‘Deckard’ headset have been circulating online for a while now, which is why we speculated that 2025 could be a big year for Valve hardware. Evidently, the Steam Frame release won’t be squeezed into the year, but it’s nice to see Vavle finally making an announcement. The “early 2026” window may suggest sometime in Q1, which covers January through March.
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 which offers “wireless, comfortable, lightweight VR for your Steam library”. The headset comes with two controllers, which are also suitable for non-VR games.
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| 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 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 speaker (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 estimate
Much like the specific release date, Valve hasn’t announced exactly how much the Steam Frame will cost. However, what we do know is that it will be cheaper than the Valve Index. This detail was confirmed by VR-focused publication Road to VR during an interview following the reveal. For reference, the Index initially launched back in 2019, priced at $999.
So, while we don’t know its exact price, we at least know it will be available for less than $999, and with the Meta Quest 3 currently at $499.99, we may estimate the Frame to be between $599 and $799. As you may have noticed in the specs table up above, there will also be 256GB and 1TB storage options available, which implies a couple of different price points to consider.
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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