Attempting to dismantle Valve's Steam Frame headset proved too daunting for one reviewer, who ultimately decided against further disassembly for fear of damaging the valuable hardware. Thankfully, iFixit has since released a comprehensive teardown, revealing the intricate design and component layout within the VR device.
The process begins with removing the magnetic face mask to access the core module, which houses the system-on-chip, optics, RAM, memory, and sensors. This module detaches easily from the strap, followed by six Torx screws that secure the plastic cover, exposing a significant portion of the headset's internals. The optics, comprising lenses and screens, are magnetically attached to a rail and can be removed with relative ease.
Internal Components and Accessibility
iFixit notes that the lens stack removal is notably straightforward, with only the Bigscreen Beyond offering a simpler process in this regard. After the lens stack is removed, the metal bar supporting it, followed by the proximity sensor, can be taken out. This reveals a metal plate with a copper heatpipe situated above the mainboard. The process of removing this plate requires the unscrewing of three screws that also secure the forward-facing tracking cameras, which facilitate passthrough functionality.
Once the mainboard is fully exposed, it reveals a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, accompanied by 16GB of SK Hynix LPDDR5X RAM and 256GB of SK Hynix storage. The board is surrounded by numerous connectors that are relatively easy to detach with basic tools, although iFixit points out that the overall complexity might be challenging for a novice user repair.
Flipping the mainboard over reveals a fan, a larger heatpipe, and an array of IR emitters—six in total, three on each side. iFixit suggests that the fan, being an active component prone to wear, could benefit from easier access for future servicing. The headset's controllers also feature a significant number of IR emitters, which likely contributes to the Steam Frame's accurate and consistent tracking performance.
Battery and Overall Repairability
The Steam Frame's battery is also accessible, requiring the removal of a few screws, a press connector, and some glue. While the glue presents a minor hurdle, iFixit anticipates that third-party battery replacements will be feasible due to the headset's design. Valve is reportedly developing its own strap that will feature interchangeable batteries.
Overall, Valve continues its trend of prioritizing repairability with the Steam Frame, following similar design choices seen in the Steam Controller, Steam Deck, and Steam Machine. Despite the inherent challenges of creating a compact, standalone VR headset that is user-serviceable, Valve appears to have largely succeeded, with only minor exceptions noted by iFixit's detailed inspection.