Valve launches Steam Frame VR headset

Valve's Steam Frame VR headset is now available, priced at $1,059 (€1,000) for the 256GB model and $1,299 (€1,230) for 1TB. It streams PC games wirelessly or runs standalone on a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip. The headset ships without a power adapter, a decision that has drawn criticism.

Bottom line — The Steam Frame undercuts the Index's launch price, but its lack of a power adapter and limited stock may frustrate early adopters.

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• The Steam Frame uses foveated streaming, which tracks eye movement to boost image quality where you look, saving bandwidth—per Valve engineers.
• It includes a dedicated 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E dongle for low-latency PC streaming, but also works as a standalone headset with 16GB RAM and up to 1TB storage.
• Valve says any 45W USB-C charger works, but sells its own power supply for $29 (€27), per Notebookcheck.
• The headset's controllers run on AA batteries, not rechargeable, and the design feels delicate, per The Verge's review.
• IGN notes there's no new game to showcase the Frame, with Valve focusing on compatibility with the existing Steam library.
• The Frame's LCD panels offer 2160x2160 per eye, and foveated rendering helps games like Half-Life: Alyx run smoothly, per Gizmodo.

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