The long-rumoured return of Valve to the virtual reality (VR) space may finally happen before the end of 2025. Rumours around the headset, codenamed “Deckard,” which first began swirling in 2021, have now intensified with reports claiming the device has entered mass production.
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News from the XR Research Institute (via UploadVR), an analyst group previously accurate with smart glasses leaks, suggests Valve is planning to manufacture between 400,000 and 600,000 units per year. This production volume is comparable to the scale Apple initially targeted for the Vision Pro, hinting at a similar high-end, niche product.
Unlike Valve’s previous tethered headset, the Valve Index, this new device is expected to be a wireless, standalone unit.
Leaked details point to several key hardware changes:
- Wireless Operation: The headset will be fully wireless, likely using a specially adapted version of SteamOS (like the Steam Deck) and potentially offering a dedicated USB dongle for low-latency PC VR streaming.
- “Roy” Controllers: The new controllers, codenamed “Roy,” will reportedly ditch the motion-tracking rings of the Index in favor of a more ergonomic, gamepad-like design, similar to the Meta Quest 3’s controllers.
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It is unlikely the device will be released under the codename “Deckard.” Last month, Valve applied for a trademark for the name “Steam Frame,” a name also found throughout SteamVR code that refers to the device’s all-in-one capabilities. This strongly suggests Steam Frame will be the official product name.
Given the late production push, the holiday season launch speculated by Chinese analysts seems ambitious. However, the mass production reports indicate an official announcement is imminent. The price point is widely speculated to be a premium one, with many sources predicting the full bundle will cost around $1,200.
