The Steam Frame Is Here With An Eye-Watering Price
It's not especially surprising after the Steam Machine reveal had the internet in a tizzy earlier this year, but Valve announced the price of the Steam Frame on Monday, and it's similarly steep. For the 256GB kit, Valve is charging $1,059 for its new VR headset and controllers. If you'd prefer to jump up to 1TB of built-in storage, you'll need to shell out $1,299.
Aside from the storage, both models are identical, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, and 21.6 Wh lithium-ion battery. Once you put the headset on, you'll play games on two 2160 x 2160 LCD displays with 72Hz to 144Hz refresh rates. Other features include inside-out camera based tracking, a dual microphone array with dual speaker drivers for each ear, and support for Wi-Fi 7 and Bluetooth 5.4.
Notably, the Steam Frame does not ship with a dedicated power supply unit. Valve points out that any 45W or higher USB-C charger will suffice — which you likely already have if you own a Steam Deck — but Valve also sells a standalone Steam hardware power supply unit for $29. What's another $30 when you're already spending over $1,000?
How to buy the Steam Frame
If the price doesn't scare you away, securing a Steam Frame is going to require some good fortune. As was the case for the Steam Machine in June, there is a reservation system for the launch of Valve's VR headset. In order to sign up, you need to head to the Steam Frame store page, sign in to your Steam account, pick the model you want to buy, and hit Join the List. You can sign up any time between now and September 17 at 10:00 a.m. PT / 1:00 p.m. ET.
According to Valve, there will be "a one-time randomization" on September 17 to determine the order for reservations and the waitlist. You'll receive an email letting you know your place in line, and if you make it into the initial reservation queue, you'll get an email with the option to purchase a unit. Valve says these emails will start going out on September 18.
This is a significant leap in price over the Meta Quest 3 and Meta Quest 3S, but it's also built for true PC gaming in virtual reality. As with the Steam Machine, its arrival just happens to fall in a rough spot, with prices of electronics soaring across the industry. Nevertheless, there are undoubtedly plenty of people who are willing to pay the premium for access to new Steam hardware.