Steam Frame VR Headset Could Cost Over $1100, Report Suggests

Valve's forthcoming Steam Frame VR headset may carry a price tag exceeding $1100, according to information shared in a now-deleted stream by Valve leaker Tyler Mcvicker. This potential cost surpasses the initial price of the Steam Machine, Valve's previously released mini gaming PC.

The reported figures suggest the Steam Frame could be equipped with a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, 16GB of DDR5 RAM, and either 256GB or 1TB of UFS storage. Despite the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 being a couple of years old, it remains a powerful mobile processor, though its pairing with 16GB of DDR5 memory raises questions given past issues with RAM availability, as noted in the source.

Beyond internal specifications, the Steam Frame features advanced display and tracking technologies. Each eye will be equipped with a 2160x2160 LCD display boasting a 144Hz refresh rate. The headset also incorporates six cameras for head and eye movement tracking during gameplay. Furthermore, Valve has developed a wireless transmission method that can intelligently render games based on the user's gaze.

These design considerations, including the high-resolution displays and complex camera array, contribute to the device's potential cost. Valve's engineers previously indicated that the headset might struggle to run many games locally, implying a reliance on external processing or advanced rendering techniques. The high price of Valve's previous VR hardware, the Valve Index, which launched at $999 in 2019, further supports the possibility of the Steam Frame being a premium-priced device.

While the exact cost of the Steam Frame will only be confirmed upon its official launch, historical timing suggests a possible release window. The Steam Machine launched approximately seven weeks after the Steam Controller's release on May 4. If Valve adheres to a similar schedule, the Steam page for the new VR headset could open as early as August 10. However, users are advised to approach these details with caution, given the unconfirmed nature of the initial report and the deleted status of the stream.