After years of speculation and rumors, Valve has finally revealed its new VR headset Steam frame. An upcoming virtual reality headset could give Meta Quest a direct competitor, as Steam Frame offers similar features on a standalone device.
As Valve tends to do, the game company surprised its fans when it suddenly unveiled not one, but three different pieces of hardware that players can look forward to. In addition to the new Steam Frame VR headset, Valve also revealed a new Steam Controller and a new Steam Machine.
Valve's new VR headset is now a reality
It looks like Valve's new Steam Frame VR headset will have a lot to offer when it launches in early 2026. Like the Meta Quest and PSVR 2, the new Steam Frame has inside-out camera tracking built-in, so no base stations are needed, and the device is wireless, so players don't have to worry about VR. The Steam Frame is equipped with a Snapdragon 8 series processor and 16 GB of RAM, which Valve says allows it to play a “growing number” of VR and non-VR games completely standalone. Non-VR games will be displayed on a large movie-like screen in front of the player. However, the device is first and foremost meant to be a streaming headset, harnessing the power of a gamer's own PC to play technically demanding games.
Unlike Meta Quest, Steam Frame doesn't try to send and receive all the data it needs through the user's Wi-Fi connection. Instead, the Steam Frame comes with a 6GHz wireless adapter dongle that plugs into a PC and creates a direct wireless connection with the headset. The dual radios allow one to focus entirely on streaming audio and visuals from the game, while the other connects to Wi-Fi, reducing the strain on the user's Wi-Fi bandwidth.
In terms of display, the Steam Frame features two 2160 x 2160 LCDs, custom pancake lenses, and a 72-144Hz refresh rate. The FOV is up to 110 degrees, with a 60-70mm IPD range. The device also uses eye tracking to provide foveated streaming, which improves the quality of the pixels the user is actively looking at. The built-in speakers include dual drivers per ear, a dual microphone array for transmitting the user's voice. Importantly, the Steam frame is only 440 grams with the head strap, putting it at 75 grams lighter than the weight of the Meta Quest 3. While 75 grams doesn't sound like much, taking the pressure and stress off the head and neck can go a long way to improving the gameplay experience and duration of game sessions.
Steam Frame will also come with its own pair of exclusive controllers. Each controller features magnetic thumbsticks, a D-pad on the left, ABXY buttons on the right, shoulder triggers, and bumpers. They also feature capacitive finger tracking, allowing users to manipulate individual fingers in games that support the tech, such as Half-Life: Alix.
At this time, Valve has yet to announce an exact release date or price for the new Steam Frame headset, and notes that some specifications may change before it's actually released. Initial impressions of the device seem largely positive. It will be interesting to see how the Steam Frame fares in side-by-side tests with the Meta Quest 3, and whether it can enter the market at a competitive price.
- Date of establishment
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August 24, 1996
- Headquarters
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Bellevue, Washington, USA
- CEO
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Gabe Newell
- Subsidiaries
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Campo Santo
