Following the hardware success of the Steam Deck, Valve is making a major commitment to virtual reality with the official announcement of the Steam Frame. This long-rumoured headset, previously codenamed “Deckard,” is designed to be a versatile, wireless, and “streaming-first” device, launching in early 2026 alongside the newly announced Steam Machine and Steam Controller.
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While pricing and exact availability are still under wraps, Valve has already started making Steam Frame development kits available to creators.
The Steam Frame is built for flexibility, supporting both high-fidelity streamed VR and flatscreen games, as well as standalone play.
To minimize latency for PC-powered gaming, Valve created a dedicated, plug-and-play 6GHz wireless adapter that connects to your PC or the new Steam Machine. This adapter features a unique dual-radio setup:
- One radio handles the low-latency streaming of audio and visuals to the headset.
- The second radio is dedicated to general Wi-Fi connectivity, helping to reduce interference and ensure a stable connection.
Crucially, the Steam Frame can also run games independently, positioning it as a direct rival to devices like the Meta Quest.
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset
- Memory/Storage: 16GB of RAM and up to 1TB of built-in UFS storage
- Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.3
- Expansion: microSD card slot
Powered by SteamOS, the headset will feature a “Steam Frame Verified” program similar to the Steam Deck, allowing users to see at a glance which games are optimized for standalone play. Furthermore, the headset is designed to support Android games, potentially opening the door for developers of existing Android-based VR experiences (like those on the Meta Quest) to bring their titles to Steam.
The Steam Frame is packed with high-end display and tracking technology designed for immersion and comfort:
| Feature | Specification |
| Display | Dual 2160 x 2160 LCD panels |
| Refresh Rate | Up to 144Hz |
| Field of View | Up to 100 degrees |
| Lenses | Thin and light custom pancake lenses for edge-to-edge sharpness |
| IPD Range | 60mm to 70mm |
| Glasses Support | Maximum width of 140mm |
| Tracking | Inside-out tracking via four high-res monochrome cameras |
| Low-Light Support | External infrared LEDs to assist tracking in dark environments |
| Passthrough | Monochrome passthrough support |
A core innovation is Foveated Streaming. This optimization feature uses low-latency eye-tracking (powered by two internal cameras) to prioritize image detail wherever the user is directly looking. Valve claims this can deliver a “10x improvement in image quality and effective bandwidth,” and it is said to work with every game in your Steam library.
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Valve prioritized comfort and balance, with the headset weighing in at just under a pound (440 grams total).
- Weight Distribution: The rechargeable 21.6Wh Li-ion battery is positioned on the rear of the head strap for optimal balance, eliminating the need for an external, dangling battery pack.
- Head strap: The standard head strap, which integrates the high-fidelity audio drivers, can be swapped out for alternative options, possibly including one with a larger battery.
- Charging: The device supports fast charging up to 45W via a single rear USB-C 2.0 port.
The headset comes bundled with a pair of new Steam Frame controllers, featuring a split-gamepad format (D-pad, thumbsticks, ABXY buttons, triggers, and bumpers) designed for full 6-DOF (Six Degrees of Freedom) tracking.
- Thumbsticks: Valve opted for magnetic thumbsticks instead of Hall effect, which also support capacitive finger tracking.
- Battery Life: Each controller is expected to run for an impressive 40 hours on a single AA battery.
- Compatibility: Users will also have the option to play games with the new Steam Controller.
Valve is no stranger to VR, having previously released the successful Valve Index and partnered with HTC on the original Vive. While those PC-focused headsets didn’t achieve the mass-market scale of the Meta Quest line, Valve created one of the medium’s greatest titles, Half-Life: Alyx. Given the triumph of the Steam Deck, the Steam Frame is poised to become a serious contender in the standalone VR market.
