Product: Steam Frame
Maker: Valve
Launched: September 14, 2026
Price: $1,059 (256GB) · $1,299 (1TB)
Includes: Half-Life: Alyx
Platform: PC running SteamOS · Snapdragon 8 Series
Ships To: US · Canada · UK · EU · Australia
📋 We Haven’t Had Hands-On Time Yet
To be upfront: TheBigBois team hasn’t been able to go hands-on with Steam Frame yet. Everything below comes from Valve’s official announcement.
We’re actively working with Valve to get hands-on with Steam Frame — as well as the new Steam Controller and Steam Machine — so we can cover all three properly for our readers. We’ll share our impressions as soon as we can.
🥽 Valve’s Steam Frame launched on September 14. Sign-ups closed on September 17, the reservation lottery has run, and the first purchase emails started going out on September 18. If you signed up, check your inbox.
⚖️ A VR Headset That Wants to Be More Than a VR Headset
The most important line in Valve’s announcement is the simplest one: Steam Frame is a PC running SteamOS.
That makes it very different from a traditional PC VR headset. It’s powered by a Snapdragon 8 Series processor, so it can run games on its own — Valve says over 100 games are already Steam Frame Standalone Verified, with more coming. But it’s also built to stream your entire Steam library wirelessly from your PC.
And Valve says it’s designed for both VR and non-VR games. In other words, Steam Frame isn’t only for VR titles like Half-Life: Alyx; it’s pitched as a way to play your whole library, VR or not.
That’s the bet: one wireless device that covers standalone play, PC VR streaming, and your flat-screen Steam library. Whether it pulls all three off is exactly what we want to test hands-on.
Your whole Steam library, on your face
Valve launched Steam Frame, its new wireless VR headset, on September 14. It comes in two models — 256GB for $1,059 and 1TB for $1,299 — and both include Half-Life: Alyx. Steam Frame ships directly via Steam to the US, Canada, the UK, the EU and Australia, with Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong handled by distributor KOMODO.
The headset and its controllers are built for both VR and non-VR gaming. Valve describes it as lightweight, compact and comfortable, and designed around wireless streaming of your whole Steam library.
What’s New Inside
👁️ Foveated Streaming
Built-in eye tracking streams the highest-quality VR image exactly where you’re looking.
📡 Multi-Link Streaming
The included wireless adapter and your Wi-Fi network work together for low-latency, robust VR.
📶 Dual Radios
Two radios in the headset, plus the Wi-Fi adapter, create a dedicated link for VR and non-VR gaming.
🎮 Standalone Play
Over 100 games already Steam Frame Standalone Verified, with more on the way.
👁️ Foveated Streaming Is the Clever Bit
Wireless PC VR has always had the same problem: pushing a sharp, high-resolution image over the air, fast enough that it doesn’t lag or blur.
Steam Frame’s answer is Foveated Streaming. It uses built-in eye tracking to work out where you’re looking, then streams the highest-quality image to that exact spot. Your eyes only see fine detail in a small area at any one time, so in principle you get a sharp picture where it matters without spending bandwidth everywhere else.
Combined with Multi-Link Streaming — the included adapter and your home Wi-Fi working together — it’s Valve’s attempt to make wireless streaming feel as good as a cable. How well it works in practice is one of the first things we’ll want to test.
Pricing by Region
All prices include VAT where applicable.
Region
Steam Frame 256GB
Steam Frame 1TB
US
$1,059 USD
$1,299 USD
Canada
$1,529 CAD
$1,859 CAD
EU
€1,049
€1,279
UK
£889
£1,089
Australia
$1,609 AUD
$1,969 AUD
Poland
4,539 PLN
5,549 PLN
Pricing and availability for Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong were set to be announced by KOMODO around 10:00 AM JST on September 15 — check KOMODO’s Steam Frame page for details.
How Buying One Works
🎟️ A Reservation Lottery, Again
Valve is using the same reservation system it used for the Steam Machine launch, saying it improved the buying experience and helped limit resellers. Here’s how it has played out:
• September 14–17: Sign-ups were open for either model
• September 17, 10 AM Pacific: Sign-ups closed and Valve ran a one-time randomisation of the list
• Later on the 17th: Emails went out telling people whether they were in the reservation queue (their chosen model reserved in their name) or on the waitlist (further back in line, and notified if moved up)
• From September 18: People in the reservation queue started receiving purchase emails in batches as units become available, and Valve will keep working through the queue
If you signed up, your email will tell you where you stand. If you missed the sign-up window, Valve’s announcement doesn’t say whether sign-ups will reopen — keep an eye on the official Steam Frame page.
Accessories
🧰 Sold Separately, Shipping via Steam
• PSU — $29 USD / £29 / €39
• Ergonomic Accessories Kit — $59 USD / £59 / €69. Includes two controller hand straps and battery doors, one headset top strap, and one extended light blocker
• Accessory Replacement Kit — $49 USD / £49 / €59. Includes a face gasket, head cushion and standard light blocker
Accessories are only available as an add-to-cart option at checkout for people who have received a purchase email. Valve has an official accessories guide on YouTube.
Where to Learn More
📄 Specs, Guides and Updates
Full specifications are on Valve’s official Steam Frame product page. Valve has also published an Official Overview and Quick Start Guide and a separate accessories guide on YouTube.
We’ll be back with our own impressions as soon as we can get hands-on — alongside the Steam Controller and Steam Machine.
Hi there! I’m Marie, also known as CtrlQueen. I’m passionate about keeping up with the latest in gaming news and sharing my insights. RPGs steal my heart with their rich narratives and immersive worlds, but I also love unwinding with fun, casual games. Whether you’re here for deep dives into game mechanics or just to chat about your favorite casual game, you’ve found the right place! Let’s game and explore together.
