Summary (tl;dr)

Valve has officially launched its new standalone virtual reality (VR) headset, the "Steam Frame," with pricing revealed at $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB version, immediately opening reservation sign-ups.

Essential Background

The Steam Frame is Valve's latest entry into the virtual reality market, serving as a successor to their previous PC VR headset, the Valve Index, which was released in 2019. The device was initially announced in November 2025 as part of Valve's expanded hardware lineup. Unlike its predecessor, the Steam Frame is a standalone VR headset, designed to run games natively via its onboard Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset and SteamOS, while also offering robust wireless PC VR streaming capabilities.

The Full Story

Valve officially launched the Steam Frame on September 14, 2026, with reservation sign-ups commencing immediately after the announcement. The headset is available in two configurations: a 256GB model priced at $1,059 and a 1TB model for $1,299. Both kits include the Steam Frame headset, its dedicated controllers, and a Wi-Fi 6E wireless adapter for PC streaming. Notably, a copy of "Half-Life: Alyx," optimized to run natively on the device, is bundled with every purchase. However, the power supply is sold separately for $29. Valve is utilizing a randomized reservation lottery system, similar to its approach with the Steam Machine, to manage demand and curb resellers; sign-ups close on September 17, with purchase emails expected to be sent out starting September 18.

Why It Matters

The launch of the Steam Frame is a significant event for the VR and gaming industries, marking Valve's strong commitment to the standalone VR segment. Its competitive pricing, especially for a Valve product, and the inclusion of a flagship title like Half-Life: Alyx, are generating considerable buzz. The device directly competes with other standalone headsets like Meta Quest, offering an open-source Linux-based SteamOS and the ability to play both VR and non-VR games from a user's Steam library natively or via streaming. The pricing, while seen by some as a "sticker shock" due to market conditions like memory shortages, has become a major talking point. The reservation system aims to ensure a fairer purchasing experience for consumers.

Geographic Location

• Bellevue, King County, Washington, United States (Headquarters of Valve Corporation, developer of Steam Frame)