Valve Launches Pre-Orders for Steam Frame VR Headset, Positioning It as a Framework for Future XR Development
Valve has opened reservations for its new Steam Frame VR headset, marking a significant step in the company’s approach to virtual reality technology. The device, which runs on a Linux-based SteamOS with an ARM CPU, is priced at $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB version. Each purchase includes a copy of Half-Life: Alyx for those who don’t already own it. Reservations are open until September 17, 2026, at 10 a.m. PT, after which customers will be randomly assigned a place in line.
The Steam Frame is described by CNET as an ‘ambitious’ VR headset that ‘feels like an experiment in progress.’ It offers unique features that differentiate it from other VR headsets, such as the ability to run Linux applications in desktop mode, including web browsers like Chromium and Firefox. Users can simultaneously watch YouTube in one window while playing Portal 2 in another, demonstrating the device’s flexibility. The headset can also convert PC VR games and even Android APK files using a tool called Lepton, potentially serving as a ‘Rosetta Stone’ for VR gaming by bridging different platforms.
The device supports theater mode, allowing 2D games to be projected onto near-range or farther-off screens that can be resized, dragged, and turned into curved or flat monitors, similar to features found in the Apple Vision Pro and Meta Quest. Users can download any game from their Steam library to test, even if it’s not officially listed as ‘Great on Frame.’
Jeremy Selan, a software developer on the Steam Frame team, emphasized that the device is intended to be a framework for users to modify and expand upon. Valve plans to provide CAD files for the system, encouraging open-source development and the creation of accessories. The company aims to build a SteamOS ecosystem that extends beyond gaming into the VR and XR space, leveraging existing technologies like Proton and SteamOS. This approach positions the Steam Frame not as a standalone product but as the foundation for future innovations in VR and XR technology.
The announcement has generated interest among tech enthusiasts, with some expressing curiosity about the device’s potential despite its high price point. However, concerns about the device’s practicality and whether it will succeed in a competitive market remain. Valve’s strategy appears to be focused on gathering user feedback and experience to inform future iterations of the technology, rather than immediate commercial success.