RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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It seems like Valve may be gearing up to launch the Steam Frame, the third and final piece of hardware it showed us last year , alongside the Steam Machine and Steam Controller . Earlier today, a number of unboxing, setup and other how-to videos for Valve's upcoming next-generation VR headset leaked online via an update to the ARM Steam Client. Valve quickly pulled them down, but not before they were grabbed and re-uploaded by users.
Instead of pitching a fit – I'm sure the company was not psyched to have these videos leak before originally intended – Valve put the videos back up, and while it hasn't officially pushed them out yet, they're easily found in the Steam backend and can be found via the links collected here .
STEAM FRAME UPDATE: The ARM Steam Client had an update this morning that contained these videos. It was quickly pulled after that, but of course people managed to grab them. These are videos that detail the unboxing, sign-in, and setup of the Steam Frame. pic.twitter.com/AAFk5D69eJ
— Steam Hardware Updates (@HardwareSteam) August 19, 2026 The videos detail how to set up and sign in to the device, which will require a Steam account to use. As a reminder, Steam Frame can be used as a standalone VR headset, or wirelessly connected to a PC running Steam. Other videos that leaked include things like how to install the head strap and light blockers, as well as one detailing the wireless adapter and a number of ergonomic accessories.
Steam Frame VR Headset Specs, at a Glance
Resolution : 2160x2160 per eye (pancake optics)
Field of View : 110 degrees
Refresh Rate : 72Hz to 120Hz (144Hz experiemental)
Weight : 435g total
Processor: 4nm Snapdragon ARM
Memory : 16GB Unified LPDDR5 RAM
Storage : 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options (microSD slot for expansion)
Connectivity : Wi-Fi 7, 2x2 Dual 5Ghz/6Ghz streaming for simultaneous VR and Wi-Fi
Wireless PC Tethering : Wi-Fi 6E (6Ghz) with USB 3.0 receiver
Tracking : 4x outward facing monochrome cameras (outward IR illuminator for dark environments), 2x interior cameras for eye tracking
Battery : Rechargeable 21.6 Wh Li-On Battery (mounted on back of headstrap)
In his hands-on with the device last year, my colleague Michael Higham noted how Steam Frame gets you the same interface and quality-of-life features as the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, and noted how much he enjoyed using the device as a virtual theater to play non-VR games.
"This kind of experience isn't new," he said, "but the seamless integration through SteamOS also makes it very easy to use, and the super fast wireless tech means you can play PC games with the full strength of your system at low latency."
With these setup videos leaking, it seems likely that Valve is planning to launch the Steam Frame soon, which lines up with the plan to have it in customers' hands before the end of Summer 2026 . That said, we still don't know how much the Steam Frame will cost, but if the price of the Steam Machine (and hardware prices in general ) is any indication, it will likely end up being more expensive than Valve originally hoped .
For more on Steam Frame, check out our Q&A with Valve about why it's going back to VR, how the tech has evolved since the groundbreaking Index VR headset, and how it got wireless streaming to work so well.
Bo Moore is IGN's Senior Manager of Tech. You can find him online @usebomswisely.
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