A leaked and deleted stream by Valve leaker Tyler McVicker indicates that the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset could end up priced at or above $1,100. This unconfirmed report suggests the headset may end up even more expensive than the Steam Machine, driven in part by design constraints and the ongoing RAM crisis affecting hardware components.
Source Reliability
Credibility Rating: 2/5 Stars
This claim stems from a single source via a now-deleted live stream that also pointed to an imminent release date as early as today. Because the stream was pulled down and the pricing remains speculative, this information requires a heavy dose of skepticism until official word arrives from Valve.
Steam Frame Technical Specifications
While final pricing remains unconfirmed, hardware details for the device outline a complex build:
- Processor: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC paired with 16GB of DDR5 memory
- Storage: 256GB or 1TB of universal flash storage (UFS)
- Displays: Dual 2160x2160 LCD screens supporting a 144Hz refresh rate
- Tracking: Six built-in cameras for head and eye movement tracking
- Transmission: Valve-engineered wireless streaming tech with foveated rendering capabilities
Valve engineers previously noted that the headset will struggle to run many games locally on its Snapdragon mobile processor, relying instead on wireless transmission methods. Combined with hardware demands similar to those seen in the Steam Machine and the historical $999 launch price of the 2019 Valve Index, a higher retail cost aligns with the complex engineering involved.