Steam Frame: Prices, Specs, Accessories, and How to Reserve One

Valve is taking a measured approach to the Steam Frame, its upcoming wireless VR headset, by using a reservation system rather than opening a standard launch-day checkout. The process is intended to improve purchasing and reduce reseller activity, but selection is randomized. Sign-ups are open for 72 hours and close at 1:00 PM ET on September 17, with the first customer notifications scheduled to begin on September 18.

How the Steam Frame reservation works

Prospective buyers can sign up through the Steam Frame store page during the reservation window. Signing up does not guarantee an order; Valve will use a randomized list to determine who is selected to purchase the headset. The company used a similar system for the Steam Machine and says the approach helped make purchasing easier while limiting resellers. Customers who make the first wave are expected to receive notifications starting September 18. Because Valve has not provided a specific general release date in the supplied details, the reservation notification is the key next step for people hoping to buy one.

Steam Frame prices and what comes in the box

The headset is offered in two storage configurations: 256GB and 1TB. Both versions include two Steam Frame controllers, one for each hand, and support wireless play for VR and non-VR Steam games. The headset can also connect to a Steam Machine or another PC for game streaming. Valve is including Half-Life: Alyx, giving buyers a major VR title to try immediately. A power supply is not included, however. A compatible Steam Deck charger or another USB-C charger rated for at least 45W can be used, while Valve sells a separate power supply for $30.

Hardware, software, and optional comfort upgrades

Steam Frame uses a 4 nm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 ARM64 processor with 16GB of unified LPDDR5X memory. Its display provides 2160 x 2160 resolution per eye and supports refresh rates from 72Hz to 144Hz, with 144Hz listed as experimental. Other hardware includes inside-out camera tracking, Wi-Fi 7 with an included 2×2 wireless adapter, Bluetooth 5.4, dual speakers per ear, and a dual-microphone array. The headset runs SteamOS 3 and includes 256GB of UFS storage in the listed hardware specifications, along with a microSD card slot. Buyers can also add a $59 ergonomic accessories kit containing controller straps, a top headset strap, and an extended light blocker.

Key points

• Reservations close at 1:00 PM ET on September 17, and selection is randomized.
• The first customer notifications are scheduled to start on September 18.
• The Steam Frame supports VR and non-VR Steam games and includes two controllers plus Half-Life: Alyx.
• A charger is sold separately, although compatible 45W-or-higher USB-C chargers can be used.

Steam Frame pricing

Expert View

The Steam Frame reservation system signals that Valve is treating this as a controlled hardware rollout rather than a conventional open launch. Randomized access may make the first purchasing wave harder to predict, but it also addresses the reseller problem Valve identified with the Steam Machine. The headset’s ability to handle both VR and non-VR Steam games, plus PC and Steam Machine streaming, gives it a broader role than a device limited to dedicated VR software. The separate charger and comfort kit also mean buyers should account for possible additional costs beyond the listed headset price.