Valve has announced the Steam Frame, a new standalone VR headset scheduled for release in early 2026. The device is designed as a hybrid, functioning primarily as a “streaming-first” headset for playing a user’s entire Steam library (including VR and non-VR titles) wirelessly from a PC, while also operating as a fully standalone PC powered by an Arm processor and SteamOS.
As a streaming device, the Steam Frame connects to a host PC using a dedicated 6 GHz wireless adapter, separating its connection from other network traffic to ensure performance. The headset uses its two internal eye-tracking cameras to enable foveated streaming, a technique that renders only the area the user is directly looking at in maximum quality, which improves bandwidth efficiency and reduces latency.
As a standalone device, the Steam Frame is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip and 16 GB of RAM. This allows it to run native Arm-based VR games and sideloaded Android APKs. Crucially, Valve is using FEX, an open-source x86-to-Arm emulator integrated into Proton, to allow the headset to run existing x86 Windows games from the Steam catalog locally. Valve claims the performance hit is minimal and will use a “Frame Verified” program to indicate compatibility, similar to the Steam Deck.
The headset features dual 2160 x 2160 LCD screens with pancake optics, providing a field of view up to 110 degrees and refresh rates up to 144Hz. It uses four exterior cameras for inside-out tracking. The device weighs 435 grams, with a modular design where the 190-gram core module (processor, optics) is separate from the strap, which houses the battery and integrated dual-driver speakers.
The 21.6 Wh battery supports approximately one hour of full-power standalone gaming, or “multiple hours” when streaming from a PC. The new Steam Frame Controllers, designed to resemble a split gamepad, use TMR technology in their analogue sticks to reduce drift and run for about 40 hours on a single AA battery.
The Steam Frame will be available in a 256 GB model (geared for streaming) and a 1 TB model (for standalone use), with a microSD card slot for expansion. Pricing has not been confirmed. The device will launch in early 2026 in the US, Canada, UK, EU, Australia, and parts of Asia.
