It’s been years since Valve first launched its in-house VR headset, the Valve Index, again in 2019, however the Steam proprietor has spent the time nicely creating its new Steam Frame. This standalone headset brings fashionable technological requirements to Valve’s VR efforts, together with inside-out monitoring, improved streaming assist, on-board processing, and even Android compatibility.There’s a lot occurring with the Steam Frame that merely calling it a next-generation system looks like underselling it, as Valve makes an attempt to string the needle of top-in-class specs whereas additionally providing a product extra attainable than different headsets from the likes of Apple, Meta, and Samsung.We’re rounding up every part we all know concerning the Steam Frame following Valve’s announcement, together with its launch window, full specs, utilization modes, controllers, and, in fact, pricing. Check again in for extra as we proceed to replace this publish with any new info that Valve divulges main as much as the Steam Frame’s launch in early 2026. You must also try every part we all know concerning the Steam Machine in case you are planning to choose up the pair of {hardware} choices from Valve within the close to future.Steam Frame Release DateThe Steam Frame shall be launched in Q1 2026. Like Valve’s new Steam Machine and Steam Controller, the Steam Frame does not but have a agency launch date. Instead, Valve guarantees that the brand new VR headset is primed to launch in early 2026, with additional clarification from the corporate constraining that to Q1 2026. That means you must count on the Steam Frame to launch someday earlier than March 31, 2026. Like the Steam Deck earlier than it, Valve plans to distribute the Steam Frame by means of Steam itself in the identical areas which can be at the moment supported, with some third-party retailers supporting different areas. Basically, if you happen to can order a Steam Deck, you can order a Steam Frame, with Valve stating that it plans to develop its distribution over time.Steam Frame PriceLike the remainder of its {hardware} bulletins, Valve fell in need of specifying a value for the Steam Frame. Unlike its earlier Index headset, the Steam Frame is a standalone headset with onboard processing, which is able to have an effect on its eventual value. Similarly, quite a lot of the {hardware} utilized in VR headsets has change into cheaper over time, so it isn’t as simple to foretell a value when wanting again on the Valve Index’s $1000 asking value.Looking on the specs, it is clear that the Steam Frame is a complicated VR headset, and that can seemingly be mirrored in the fee. But there are additionally concessions made which may hold prices down, just like the inclusion of LCD shows over OLED, or monochromatic front-facing cameras over full shade ones. Until Valve broadcasts a value, nonetheless, all we will do is speculate. Steam Frame SpecsUnlike Valve’s earlier VR headsets, the Steam Frame is a standalone headset. This signifies that it options onboard processing, by means of a really succesful Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ARM64 chip that you’d in any other case discover in flagship Android smartphones. This means two issues. One, the Steam Frame runs SteamOS natively, with Valve working arduous to get it operating on ARM for the primary time and permitting for translation to the Linux working system much like how Proton does the identical for x86 purposes, which implies that you could run video games natively on it. Secondly, which means that the Steam Frame can run Android apps, one thing which Valve says is totally supported. Combined with 16GB of unified LPDDR5X RAM, the Steam Frame is a robust system in its personal proper, with Valve trying to showcase this by having Half-Life: Alyx run on it natively.Native gameplay is only one method Valve expects you to play with the Steam Frame. Included with every headset is a dongle for streaming, letting you beam over gameplay from a close-by PC to get pleasure from on the Steam Frame, be it native VR titles or conventional ones you wish to play on a bigger display throughout the headset. The dongle produces a robust 6GHz reference to the Steam Frame, with the headset itself that includes two antennas to raised handle the information coming in. One is primarily for streaming in video and audio information, whereas the opposite handles your commonplace community connection. This improves streaming efficiency at larger bitrates, enhancing the soundness and visible high quality of the video games you are streaming over earlier options supplied by Valve and opponents.The Steam Frame comes outfitted with two 2160×2160 PCD shows (per eye), using a customized pancake lens that affords a large 110-degree discipline of view. Interpupillary Distance, or IPD, is managed with a easy wheel on high of the system and may be locked in with a button close to the underside, with a offered spacer additionally permitting you to make use of the Steam Frame with glasses (Valve says it’s going to goal to supply prescription lenses someday after launch). Two audio system for every ear may be discovered on either side of the headstrap, whereas the repositioning of the battery to the again of the headstrap helps counterbalance the complete headset for higher consolation throughout longer classes. The headset alone is simply 185g, whereas the complete factor will weigh nearer to 440g when used with the offered headstrap.While the Valve Index made nice use of exterior cameras to trace controller and physique actions precisely, the Steam Frame as an alternative makes use of inside-out monitoring like most of its opponents. The headset options 4 outward going through monochrome cameras, every of which have IR illuminators for higher monitoring and passthrough assist in the dead of night. Passthrough is, equally, monochromatic, and may be activated at any time. Valve supplies growth ports on the entrance of the headset for customers that wish to add extra peripherals or cameras sooner or later.While there are quite a few cameras for outward monitoring, there are two extra ones contained in the headset for pupil monitoring. These low-latency cameras observe the place you are wanting always, which it then makes use of to energy what Valve calls foveated streaming. Similar to an answer present in Sony’s PlayStation VR 2, the Steam Frame can dynamically enhance visible readability relying on the place you are wanting, which may feed streaming sources into the areas which can be truly noticed versus ones within the periphery. Valve says this may enhance visible element by virtually 10x, and works robotically for all video games on Steam because it’s taking place at a {hardware} stage on the Steam Frame.You can discover the complete specs for the Steam Frame under.CategorySpecificationProcessor4 nm ARM64 Snapdragon 8 Gen 3RAM16GB Unified LPDDR5X RAMStorage256GB / 1TB UFS storage choices, microSD card slot for expanded storagePowerRechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-ion batteryOne USB-C 2.0 port within the rear, for charging and dataCharge with USB-C, 45WModular HeadstrapHeadstrap contains built-in twin audio drivers and and rechargeable battery on rear.Headstrap weight: 245gCore module may be separated from headstrap, for different headstrap options.Show2160 x 2160 LCD (per eye)72-144Hz refresh charge (144Hz experimental)OpticsCustom pancake lensesGlass and non-glass optical elementsLarge FOV (as much as 110 levels)IPD goal vary60mm – 70mmEye glasses max width140mmTrackingInside-out digital camera primarily based trackingCameras4x outward going through monochrome cameras for controller and headset tracking2x inside cameras for eye monitoring and foveated streamingPassthroughMonochrome passthrough through outward going through camerasLow-light supportIR illuminators for monitoring and passthrough in darkish environmentsExpansionUser accessible entrance growth portDual excessive pace digital camera interface (8 lanes @ 2.5Gbps MIPI) / PCIe Gen 4 interface (1-lane)Wi-FiWi-Fi 7, 2x2Dual radios allow concurrent 5GHz Wi-Fi and 6GHz VR streamingWireless AdapterWireless adapter included within the fieldWi-Fi 6E (6GHz)Provides direct, low-latency hyperlink between headset and PCBluetoothBluetooth 5.32.4GHz devoted hyperlink for Steam Frame ControllersSpeakersDual speaker drivers per ear, built-in into headstrapMicrophoneDual microphone arraySize175mm x 95mm x 110mm (core module + facial interface)Weight440 g – core module + headstrap185 g – core moduleOperating SystemSteamOS 3 (Arch-based)DesktopKDE PlasmaThe controllers that ship with the Steam Frame shall be very acquainted if you happen to’ve used every other VR headset prior to now 5 years, however for good cause. Their form and dimension assist in correct monitoring whereas giving your handles ample house to grip and attain all included buttons. The inputs aren’t stripped again, both, that includes every part you will must play all VR and conventional video games throughout the Steam Frame with out having to go for a extra conventional gamepad. It additionally does not lose performance from the earlier Valve Index controllers, retaining capacitive finger monitoring (and related knuckle straps that allow you to use the controller with out outright gripping it) in addition to AA battery assist for as much as 40 hours of life per cost. Like the brand new Steam Controller, the Steam Frame controller will function magnetic TMR thumbsticks that supply a better lifespan over conventional, and even corridor impact, thumbsticks.You can discover the specs for the Steam Frame controller under.CategorySpecificationMotion controlsFull 6-DOF monitoring and IMU supportGamepad controlsA B X Y buttons (proper controller)D-pad (left controller)Full-size magnetic thumbsticks (TMR) with capacitive touchL & R analog triggersL & R bumpersView / Menu / Steam buttonsDual stage grip buttonsHapticsHaptic motor in every controllerFinger trackingCapacitive sensing for all enter surfacesCapacitive finger trackingConnectivity2.4GHz hyperlink to devoted headset radioSize126mm x 73mm x 87mm per controllerWeightWith battery 130 g per controllerWithout battery 107 g per controllerPowerOne replaceable AA battery per controller40hr battery life
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