Valve Steam Frame VR Headset Priced at $1,059, Ships This Month

Valve has pulled back the curtain on Steam Frame, its new standalone VR headset, setting a starting price of $1,059 and opening a reservation list on September 14. The company is using a randomized queue rather than a traditional first-come, first-served system, with the first purchase confirmation emails scheduled to go out on September 18.

Pricing and Storage Options

As Dexerto reports, Steam Frame comes in two storage configurations. The 256GB model costs $1,059, while the 1TB version climbs to $1,299. Both tiers ship with 16GB of RAM and a microSD slot for additional storage expansion.

Hardware Specs and Features

According to Game Developer, the headset runs on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor paired with SteamOS 3. Each eye gets a 2160 x 2160 LCD display with refresh rates ranging from 72Hz up to 144Hz, though Valve lists the top 144Hz setting as experimental. Inside-out tracking handles positional detection, while Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4 cover connectivity. The headset also includes built-in speakers and microphones.

Steam Frame can run optimized VR titles and flatscreen Steam games natively on the device, and it supports wireless PC game streaming through an included adapter. The bundled Steam Frame controllers offer full 6-DOF tracking alongside standard gamepad controls. Half-Life: Alyx is included with every unit.

Notably, no power supply is included in the box. Valve says a Steam Deck charger or any USB-C charger rated at 45W or higher will work. A dedicated 45W Steam Hardware Power Supply is available separately for $29. An Ergonomic Accessories Kit runs $59, and an Accessory Replacement Kit is priced at $49.

Reservation Process and Timeline

As GamesIndustry.biz notes, customers could join the reservation list for one configuration through September 17 at 10 AM PT. Valve then randomizes all entries and notifies customers by email the same day whether they secured a reservation or landed on a waitlist. Purchase invitation emails are set to go out September 18, with units shipping shortly after.

Steam Frame completes the hardware lineup Valve first announced in November 2025. The company already shipped the Steam Machine, a living room gaming PC starting at $1,049, and the Steam Controller earlier this year, using the same randomized reservation approach for both launches.

Sources: Dexerto, Game Developer, GamesIndustry.biz