Steam Frame starts at $1,059 as Valve opens reservations

Valve opened reservations for the Steam Frame on 14 September 2026, pricing its new wireless VR headset at $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB version. Sign-ups close on 17 September at 10 a.m. Pacific, after which Valve will randomise the queue instead of selling on a first-come basis.

A streaming-first headset that runs without a PC

Valve describes the Steam Frame as a streaming-first wireless headset with controllers that can handle an entire Steam library: immersive VR titles, conventional games, or stand-alone play. The stand-alone mode comes from PC-class hardware: a 4nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor with 16GB of unified LPDDR5X memory, 256GB or 1TB of UFS storage plus a microSD slot, and SteamOS 3 with the KDE Plasma desktop. A Steam Frame Verified programme, similar to the labels used for Steam Deck and Steam Machine, marks which VR and non-VR games run without a PC; Valve counts more than 100 titles as Standalone Verified.

Optics, tracking and streaming

Each eye gets a 2160 x 2160 LCD panel at 72-144Hz, with 144Hz listed as experimental, behind custom pancake lenses offering a field of view up to 110 degrees and an IPD range of 60-70mm. Four outward-facing monochrome cameras handle controller and headset tracking, with infrared illuminators for dark rooms, and two interior cameras follow the eyes for Foveated Streaming - a feature Valve says typically improves image quality and effective bandwidth more than tenfold by steering detail to where the wearer looks. A 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E adapter ships in the box for a dedicated low-latency link to a PC, and dual radios let the headset hold a 5GHz Wi-Fi connection at the same time.

Weight and accessories

The core module weighs 185g; with the modular headstrap, which carries a rechargeable battery and dual audio drivers, it reaches 440g. The battery is rated at 21.6Wh and charges over USB-C at up to 45W, while each controller runs on one AA battery for up to 40 hours. First-party accessories are sold only during the headset checkout.

How the reservation works

Buyers need a Steam account in good standing and a purchase made before 27 April 2026, with one signup per household, and they choose the 256GB or 1TB model; North America, the UK and EU, and Australia each have separate lists. Valve says randomising the queue is fairer than a timed launch that rewards bots and fast connections. Emails about reservation spots and the waitlist begin on 18 September, and a reserved buyer has 72 hours to pay before the unit moves to the next person in line. Japan, Taiwan and Hong Kong order through distributor Komodo, South Korea ships later, and a copy of Half-Life: Alyx is included per device.