Recent findings in the Steam Frame kernel source code hint at the potential development of a variant of Valve's VR headset equipped with upgraded OLED lenses. These snippets, unearthed by SteamFrameHub, reference a codename 'Planar' and indicate updates occurring as recently as October 2nd, after the original LCD model began reservations.
Potential Display Upgrades
The code suggests these OLED lenses would offer a native resolution of 3,552x3,840 per eye and a 90Hz refresh rate, mirroring the specifications of Samsung's Galaxy VR headset. For standalone VR experiences, this higher pixel density would place a greater demand on the headset's Snapdragon SoC compared to the current Frame's 2,160x2160 displays. However, the code also points to a new technology, 'foveated scaling,' which appears to be an evolution of the Frame's existing foveated rendering and streaming techniques. This method would allocate higher pixel density to areas of focus and reduce it in peripheral vision, potentially mitigating the increased processing load.
Addressing Core Concerns
While an OLED upgrade could enhance visual fidelity with sharper, more vibrant images, similar to the improvements seen with the Steam Deck OLED, it's unclear if it would solve the Steam Frame's most significant challenges. The primary concerns surrounding the current Steam Frame are its pricing and availability. Ram shortages have driven up component costs, resulting in the headset being significantly more expensive than initially anticipated, and production struggles have led to reservation waiting periods extending for months.
An OLED version would likely exacerbate these issues. It would compete for the same costly internal components, such as RAM and SSDs, potentially limiting overall supply. Furthermore, drawing parallels with the Steam Deck OLED, an OLED Steam Frame would almost certainly carry a higher price tag. The Samsung Galaxy VR headset, for instance, launched at a considerably higher price point than the Steam Frame, even before recent hardware cost escalations.
Valve has acknowledged that diverting resources to a premium variant like an OLED model, while the current version faces production and pricing hurdles, may not be the most practical step at this time. The focus remains on fulfilling existing demand and managing the supply chain for the current Steam Frame hardware. The potential benefits of an OLED display, while appealing in a vacuum, appear overshadowed by the more pressing logistical and economic factors affecting Valve's VR headset.