Steam Frame
Steam Frame is an upcoming virtual reality headset developed by Valve Corporation. Announced in November 2025 as part of a new lineup of Valve-produced hardware, and replacing the Valve Index, it is expected to be released in 2026.
Unlike Valve Index, Steam Frame has a computer embedded inside the headset. It runs SteamOS (Arch-based) operating system. The Steam Frame is powered by ARM-based Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 system-on-chip with 16 GB of LPDDR5X memory, and be sold in models with 256 GB and 1 TB of internal storage. Additional storage space is available through a microSD card slot; memory cards can be shared between other SteamOS devices such as Steam Deck and the second-generation Steam Machine.
Hardware Specifications
| Steam Frame - Tech Specs | |
|---|---|
| Compute | |
| Processor | 4 nm Snapdragon® 8 Gen 3 (ARM64) |
| RAM | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAM |
| Storage | 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options microSD card slot for expanded storage |
| Controls and Input | |
| Motion controls | Full 6-DOF tracking and IMU support |
| Gamepad controls | 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 |
| Display and Optics | |
| Resolution | 2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye) |
| Refresh rate | 72-144Hz refresh rate (144Hz experimental) |
| Maximum brightness | TBA |
| Optics | Custom pancake lenses
Glass and non-glass optical elements Large FOV (up to 110 degrees) |
| IPD target range | 60mm - 70mm |
| Eye glasses max width | 140mm |
| Connectivity | |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3k (support for controllers, accessories and audio) |
| Wi-Fi | Dual-band Wi-Fi 7 radio, 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz, 2 x 2 MIMO, IEEE 802.11a/b/g/n/ac/ax/be |
| Audio | |
| Channels | Dual stereo speaker drivers per ear |
| Microphones | Dual-microphone array |
| Power | |
| Input | 45W USB Type-C PD3.0 power supply |
| Battery | Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion battery Charge with USB-C, 45W |
| Expansion | |
| microSD | Supports SD, SDXC and SDHC. Speed unknown |
| External connectivity | USB-C with DisplayPort 1.4 Alt-mode support; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB-C 2.0 |
| Size and Weight | |
| Size | 175 mm × 95 mm × 110 mm (6.9 in × 3.7 in × 4.3 in) (core module + facial interface) |
| Weight | 440 g (core module + headstrap) 185 g (core module) |
| Software | |
| Operating System | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based) |
| Desktop | KDE Plasma |