Steam Frame Launches at $1,059

After months of anticipation Valve’s latest VR headset, the Steam Frame, is finally here. The official price is $1059 for the 256GB model and $1299 for the 1TB model.

Valve is once again using a randomized reservation lottery, the same system it used for the Steam Machine. Sign-ups for the first batch run through September 17, after which Valve will randomize the reservation list and notify buyers by email whether they received a slot.

Each box includes the Steam Frame Controllers, a Wi-Fi 6E wireless adapter for PC streaming, and a copy of Half-Life: Alyx (adapted to run in standalone mode). Note that the 45W power supply is sold separately. The Ergonomic Accessories Kit is also optional, priced at $59. It bundles two controller hand straps with battery doors, a headset top strap, and an extended light blocker for those who want a more immersive experience. On the flipside, Steam Frame features a MicroSD slot, so extending storage beyond the stock 256GB or 1TB is relatively cheap.

The Steam Frame delivers 2160 by 2160 per eye through LCD panels and pancake lenses. The field of view is around 110 degrees. Inside sits a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 paired with 16GB of RAM, running SteamOS. Eye tracking powers foveated streaming, which is what allows Steam Frame to run games like Half-Life:Alyx in standalone mode. Its biggest claim to fame, however, is its extensive emulation layer. The Steam Frame can run x64 (Windows), ARM64 (Android) and Linux software, and works with flatscreen as well as XR applications.

At $1059, the Steam Frame is undeniably a premium proposition. It sits above the $1000 mark, but still well under the $1500 that some observers had predicted. While its resolution is lower than that of the Apple Vision Pro and other ultra-high-end headsets, it is arguably the most flexible standalone headset ever released.