Source: Valve
While Valve's new Steam Frame VR headset is primarily a streaming virtual reality headset, it can also run games natively in standalone mode. The headset launches in 2026 for an undisclosed price.
You can consider it a SteamOS PC, powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, with 16GB LPDDR5X memory and 256GB or 1TB UFS storage, with microSD card support. It also comes with an onboard 21.6Wh battery, allowing you to play with or without a wired connection.
It can run games natively by emulating x86 games to ARM64 using an emulator called Flex. The system can even run Android games natively. Valve plans to release a developer kit for it soon to improve compatibility. The company also intends to provide pre-converted versions of x86 games so these can run natively without the need for the emulator, improving performance.
The Steam Frame VR comes with a wireless adapter with dual radios so you can connect it to your PC, Steam Machine, and Steam Deck to stream your games to the headset. These radios keep separate connections for streaming and Wi-Fi, so you avoid bandwidth congestion.
The headset has dual 2160x2160 LCDs with a refresh rate of 72-144Hz. Using foveated streaming, only parts of the screen you are actively looking at will be streamed at high quality. The device can determine this through eye-tracking cameras inside the headset. Meanwhile, four additional high-resolution monochrome cameras are on the outside to track the controllers and the headset. With infrared LEDs, you can even use the headset in low-light conditions. It even comes with built-in speakers with force-cancel to avoid vibrations.
The headset includes split controllers with a typical gamepad layout, so you can play VR and non-VR games without any issues. Valve improved the controllers with a second-generation magnetic joystick seen on the new Steam Controller.