2026 is set to be a huge year for Valve, as the brand behind Steam and the brilliant Steam Deck is set to launch exciting new additions to its hardware line-up.
There’s the Steam Machine, Steam Controller and, notably, the Steam Frame which is Valve’s first foray into VR headsets. Although Valve is yet to reveal how much the Steam Frame will cost, nor when we’ll be able to get our hands on the headset, its specs have been revealed.
Keep reading to learn more about the upcoming Steam Frame, including its rumoured price and release date to its confirmed tech specs. Make sure you also visit our list of the best game consoles to enhance your gaming set-up.
Last updated: 21st January 2026
Steam Frame at a Glance
- Set to launch “early 2026”
- Wireless VR headset
- Available in two sizes: 256GB and 1TB
- Runs on 2024’s mobile flagship processor, Snapdragon 8 Gen 3
- Eye-tracking technology
- Powered by SteamOS
- Comes equipped with dual controllers for playing non-VR games
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Steam Frame price rumours
At the time of writing, Valve is yet to reveal how much the Steam Frame will cost. Of course that doesn’t mean there aren’t plenty of rumours and speculation about the expected RRP currently circulating the internet.
In the past week or so, internet sleuths uncovered the listings for both the Steam Machine and Steam Frame via a Czech third-party retailer, Smarty. By inspecting the website (seriously), and as reported via The Mysticle’s YouTube, it was supposedly “uncovered” that the Steam Frame was listed for 17900 CZK (256GB) and 21990 CZK (1TB). That roughly converts to around $860 and $1060.
Of course, this should be taken with a pinch of salt at this point. Not only are prices on listings subject to change, but we don’t know whether the retailer has included any commission or third-party charges onto the listing, which could affect the price. For now, we’ll have to wait for Valve’s confirmation.
Steam Frame release date rumours
Much like the Steam Machine, the Steam Frame has been slated for release in “early 2026”. As we’re now undoubtedly in “early 2026” territory, we could be expecting a launch in the next few months or so.
However, much like the Steam Machine, the continuously rising price of RAM could cause the Steam Frame to be pushed back to later in the year. This, we should disclaim, is pure speculation and would be more likely to affect the Steam Machine which uses more memory than the Steam Frame.
Steam Frame and controllers. Image Credit (Valve)
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Steam Frame specs
Sure, both the release date and price for the Steam Frame are still at large, but Valve has unveiled all the specs for the upcoming VR headset. While Valve has been careful to caveat that some of the specifications are subject to change ahead of availability, the initial specs are undoubtedly exciting.
First and foremost, the Steam Frame is a PC and runs SteamOS powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 mobile processor. That means it’s the first of its kind that can handle the entire Steam Library, allowing you to play both VR and non-VR games without needing to connect to your PC.
Essentially, the headset uses a 6GHz wireless adapter for streaming and dual radios: one for audio and visual streaming and another for connecting to your Wi-Fi.
Plus, the Steam Frame comes equipped with dual controllers which are fitted with all the familiar inputs you need for non-VR games, such as the D-Pad, ABXY, thumbsticks and more. Speaking of the thumbsticks, they’re the same found in the upcoming Steam Controller and are magnetic for improved feel and responsiveness.
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The Steam Frame also introduces Foveated Streaming which detects where your eyes are looking and optimises the detail and improves image quality by 10x. The headset also uses eye tracking to ensure the best quality pixels are saved for only where you’re looking, which should theoretically help the Steam Frame run more efficiently too. Even so, it’s worth noting each panel is a 2160 x 2160 LCD too.
Technical specifications aside, the Steam Frame promises to be easy to use with no set-up required. Valve explains the Steam Frame is equipped with four high-res cameras that provide both controller and headset tracking, with infrared LEDs to track in dark environments too.
