Valve’s Steam Deck inspired VR headset might be launching soon –here’s what we know
(Image credit: Future)
- Valve is reportedly launching a VR headset called the Steam Frame soon
- Analysts have said the mysterious headset has entered mass production
- Leaked specs tease a headset more powerful than the Meta Quest 3
While there’s a lot of buzz about the (likely) incoming Samsung Moohan headset – its first, and the first in general, Android XR device to be unleashed on the public – there’s another VR headset we might soon see from another familiar tech face: Valve.
The so-called Steam Frame has been much teased by leaks and speculation just like Samsung’s Moohan. It was even widely believed it would have launched at an event in September which never materialized (again like Moohan), and is also believed to be landing at some point before the end of 2025.
Unlike Samsung’s headset, however, Valve has been much more tight lipped about this device, but analyst firms and leaks have given us a few details.
The first is a predicted release date of this year, with the latest reports (via UploadVR) saying the headset has entered mass production. This follows a trademark filing last month for a device called the ‘Steam Frame’ – with Valve usually only filing trademarks soon before a product launch.
As for the device itself, what we know is based on Valve’s own comments in an interview with Tested. VR was brought up during the chat and Valve hardware engineer Yazan Aldehayyat and product designer Lawrence Yang hinted that lessons from the Steam Deck would be applied to future hardware efforts – strongly hinting at a wireless rather than tethered approach for the Steam Frame.
This is further supported by leaked specs from SadlyItsBradley (a generally reliable source for VR leaks) that the headset will boast a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset – which it would only need if it was a standalone device.
He says this chipset would have a GPU that’s one generation newer than what the XR2 Gen 2 boasts, suggesting Valve’s headset will have at least a slight technical edge over the Meta Quest 3.
I would hope that edge was more than slight, however, as according to Valve leak Gabe Follower the device will cost $1,200 (around £900 / AU$1,850) which is over double the price of a Meta Quest 3.
We’ll have to wait and see what Valve showcases when it’s ready to announce its next hardware. Even if it doesn’t land this side of 2026, multiple signs are pointing to an imminent Frame reveal and launch, so we’re keeping our eyes out for any kind of teaser or announcement from Valve.
When or if it has something to share we’ll be sure to let you know.
