Steam Frame: Valve’s new headset aiming to reshape the way we play
Valve introduces Steam Frame, an ultra-light XR headset built to redefine both VR gaming and traditional 2D gameplay. Here’s everything you need to know.
Valve has finally unveiled Steam Frame, its new XR headset accompanied by a hardware ecosystem that—if it delivers on expectations—could become one of the biggest shifts on the Steam platform since Steam Deck. A lightweight device with ambitious hardware, designed to enjoy both VR titles and classic 2D games in a completely new way.
At InfinityOne3D we’re following this launch closely to develop 3D-printed accessories that enhance comfort, FOV and ergonomics from day one.
Ultralight design and hardware more powerful than Quest 3
Steam Frame arrives with an extremely compact design. The full headset weighs just 440 g total: 185 g on the front (lenses and displays) and 255 g on the rear, where the battery and elastic strap system are integrated.
Inside, Valve uses a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4 nm). It’s not a chip specifically designed for XR, but it significantly surpasses Meta’s XR2 Gen 2 found in Quest 3:
- CPU: up to 3× faster.
- GPU: between 30% and 40% more powerful.
The device includes 16 GB LPDDR5X RAM and UFS storage in 256 GB or 1 TB configurations, with microSD expansion—a highly requested feature in standalone VR.
Balanced battery and modern connectivity
The battery sits on the back for better weight distribution and charges via USB-C 2.0 with support for 45 W. The strap and battery system will be modular, opening the door for accessory makers (like InfinityOne3D) to create interchangeable options for different use-cases.
For audio, Steam Frame uses front-facing speakers directed toward the ears, offering spatial sound without external headphones.
Advanced tracking and high-resolution displays
Tracking is handled by four monochrome cameras using SLAM and computer vision, supported by infrared LEDs for low-light environments.
The displays push 2160 × 2160 per eye with refresh rates between 72 Hz and 144 Hz, paired with pancake lenses for a slimmer, more comfortable form factor.
The declared FOV is 110°, and the mechanical IPD slider ranges from 60 mm to 70 mm.
Eye tracking and intelligent rendering
Steam Frame also integrates eye tracking to enable foveated rendering, boosting resolution where you look while reducing peripheral load. This helps performance both in standalone mode and wireless PC streaming.
Expansion port for future accessories
On the bridge of the headset, Valve includes an expansion port designed for upcoming modules:
- RGB cameras for color passthrough.
- Face-tracking modules.
- Third-party extensions.
Dual-band connectivity: Valve’s biggest feature
Steam Frame uses two independent WiFi 7 radios:
- One for your home network.
- One dedicated to a USB WiFi 6E dongle on your PC.
This architecture aims to deliver the most stable wireless VR/2D streaming connection ever seen in a standalone headset.
Hybrid controllers made for both VR and 2D games
The included controllers feature:
- Advanced vibration.
- Finger-detection haptics.
- A full D-pad for traditional games.
- Complete VR tracking.
The design clearly shows Valve’s intention: a single headset capable of handling Half-Life: Alyx and Celeste with the same comfort. The controllers use a single AA battery offering up to 40 hours of playtime.
SteamOS and Proton: VR and 2D games without a PC
Steam Frame runs independently thanks to SteamOS for ARM. The biggest surprise is that Proton will allow native execution of both 2D and VR Steam games without needing a PC.
Valve will also introduce a Steam Deck-style certification system to indicate which titles are fully compatible in standalone mode.
Usage modes and game compatibility
The interface will show a clear compatibility rating for your entire library. For more demanding titles, the headset can connect wirelessly to your PC using its dual WiFi 7 system.
Price, release date and what comes next
Valve has confirmed that Steam Frame will launch in 2026. There is no pricing information yet, but expectations are extremely high given the specs and Valve’s track record.
At InfinityOne3D we are already studying how to create 3D-printed accessories that improve comfort, ergonomics and overall user experience from day one.
🛒 Coming soon: Steam Frame accessories at InfinityOne3D
💬 Got questions? Leave a comment below
