3 min read
After years of rumours, Valve has officially revealed its next-generation “Steam Frame” VR headset. The company quietly dropped the announcement on its Steam Store page, confirming that the wireless and streaming-focused VR headset will launch in early 2026. Alongside the headset, Valve also introduced a new “Steam Controller” and a new “Steam Machine”, giving fans plenty to look forward to.
The Steam Frame is built as a streaming-first, wireless VR headset designed to handle a player’s entire Steam library. Much like the Meta Quest and PSVR 2, it features inside-out camera tracking, which eliminates the need for base stations.
Valve equipped the headset with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM, making it capable of running both VR and non-VR games. Non-VR titles appear on a large virtual “movie-like” screen inside the headset. Despite its standalone capabilities, Valve emphasises that the Steam Frame is primarily meant to stream games directly from a PC for more demanding titles.
Smarter Wireless Connection & Display Specs
Instead of relying solely on Wi-Fi like Meta Quest, the Steam Frame uses a dedicated 6GHz wireless adapter dongle that connects directly to a PC. This setup creates a low-latency link between the headset and the computer. The dual radio system allows one channel to handle game streaming while the other manages Wi-Fi connectivity, reducing strain and lag.
The headset features dual 2160 × 2160 LCD Displays with custom pancake lenses, delivering crisp visuals at 72–144Hz refresh rates. The field of view (FOV) reaches up to 110 degrees, with an interpupillary distance (IPD) range of 60–70mm. Built-in eye tracking enables Foveated Streaming, improving image quality in areas where the user is looking.
The Steam Frame also integrates dual speakers per ear, a dual-mic array, and weighs only 440 grams, around 75 grams lighter than the Meta Quest 3. The lighter build aims to reduce strain and enhance comfort during longer sessions.
New Controllers & Software Experience
Each Steam Frame ships with a pair of new controllers featuring magnetic thumbsticks, shoulder triggers, bumpers, and capacitive finger tracking. Players can move individual fingers in compatible games like Half-Life: Alyx.
The headset runs SteamOS, supporting two operation modes:
- Standalone Mode: Runs games natively using the Snapdragon processor via FEX, a new translation layer that enables x86 games to run on ARM hardware.
- PC Streaming Mode: Uses the 6GHz dongle to stream high-fidelity VR or non-VR games directly from a gaming PC.
Valve also confirmed storage options of 256 GB and 1 TB, alongside microSD expansion support.
Launch Window & Market Expectations from Valve
The Steam Frame will officially launch in early 2026. Valve has not yet disclosed a price, though reports suggest it will cost less than the Valve Index. Some specifications may still change before release.
Early impressions are largely positive, with praise directed at its lightweight design, eye-tracking features, and high-end wireless streaming technology. The market now waits to see how Valve’s new headset performs in direct comparison with Meta Quest 3 once it hits the shelves.
Valve has also announced that Android apps will now be supported natively on its Steam ecosystem.
Valve’s Steam Frame marks the company’s ambitious return to VR hardware. With advanced wireless streaming, high-resolution displays, and comfort-focused design, the headset is shaping up to be a powerful and accessible VR option for PC gamers when it arrives in 2026.
