VR Headsets
Ongoing coverage on VR Headsets.
Latest coverage
Steam Deck 2 plans aren't affected by ongoing component crisis, Valve maintains, as Steam Frame arrives later and more expensive than expected
Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais stated that the ongoing component crisis is not affecting plans for a future Steam Deck 2, which will require a significant performance leap. However, the company's new Steam Frame VR headset is launching later and at a higher price than expected, facing criticism for not offering a dramatically different experience compared to cheaper alternatives like the Meta Quest 3.
After two weeks with Steam Frame, Valve's latest is now my go-to VR headset, but my recommendation comes with some important caveats
Valve's Steam Frame VR headset offers a comfortable and lightweight design with impressive PC-to-headset streaming capabilities, making it a compelling option for PC VR enthusiasts. However, its standalone performance is inconsistent and less polished than competitors like the Meta Quest 3, and its high price point may be a barrier for many.
I've been using the Steam Frame for 3 weeks—here's what I think
After three weeks of testing, the Steam Frame is hailed as the best all-round VR headset, praised for its comfort, ease of use, and excellent tracking. Despite its high price point and some display limitations compared to competitors like the Meta Quest 3, its seamless wireless streaming and integrated SteamOS offer a convenient and immersive PC VR experience.
Steam Frame starts at $1,059 and you'll want to enter the stock lottery before September 17 for a higher chance of…
Valve has announced pricing and availability for its new Steam Deck VR headset, with the 256 GB model starting at $1,059 USD and the 1 TB model at $1,299 USD. A reservation system is in place, requiring sign-ups between September 14 and September 17, with a randomization process to determine who gets a unit. Valve aims to limit resellers and improve the purchase experience with this system.
The Steam Frame needs to be more than a cool device if Valve want to reshape the VR market
The VR market is facing a decline in headset shipments and studio closures, with a shift away from mid-range devices towards high-end or AR/XR alternatives. Despite Meta's continued dominance and some internal successes with its Quest ecosystem, the overall VR gaming landscape struggles with visibility and the high cost of developing tentpole titles. Valve's upcoming Steam Frame faces challenges related to pricing and a lack of compelling exclusive content, suggesting VR may become an integrated feature rather than a standalone market.
In the eleventh hour before Steam Frame's launch, its processor manufacturer just announced rising prices
Qualcomm has informed its partners that it will be increasing prices for its processing chips starting September 1st due to rising manufacturing costs. This announcement could impact the imminent launch of Valve's Steam Frame VR headset, which uses a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, and potentially other devices like the Meta Quest 3 and Pico 4 Ultra.
More bad news for Valve and its still unreleased Steam Frame as Qualcomm is set to raise the price of its chips, like…
Qualcomm is reportedly increasing its chip prices by a double-digit percentage starting September 1, which could negatively impact devices like Valve's upcoming Steam Frame VR headset and Meta's VR headsets. This price hike comes amid ongoing memory shortages and affects manufacturers like TSMC. Valve has a stockpile of Steam Frames, potentially mitigating the immediate impact on consumers.
Valve's Steam Frame launch looks imminent, with new 'Great on Frame' category spotted
Valve's new VR headset, the Steam Frame, appears to be nearing its launch, with a new 'Great on Frame' category appearing on the Steam store. This category, currently featuring four games including Valve's own Portal 2 and The Lab, suggests official compatibility verification. Shipments of Steam Frames have reportedly begun arriving in the US, further indicating an imminent release alongside the Steam Machine this summer.
Gear Review: Viture Beast XR Glasses for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2
The Viture Beast XR glasses offer a wider field of view and a premium metal build compared to the Luma Ultra, though they have slightly lower peak brightness. While both models support prescription lenses and connect to the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 via a Pro Mobile Dock, the Beast's USB-C connection can be finicky, unlike the Luma Ultra's preferred magnetic connector. Despite minor connection issues, the Beast provides a solid gaming experience with good resolution and frame rates, but the reviewer ultimately favored the Luma Ultra for its comfort and connection method.
Portal 2 just got a Steam Frame compatibility rating, hinting at the VR headset's imminent launch
Valve has assigned Portal 2 a 'Playable' rating for its upcoming Steam Deck VR headset, indicating the game will function but not at the headset's full native resolution. The rating suggests the game supports the headset's controller configuration and interface text, but the resolution limitation is noted as a drawback. The Steam Deck VR headset is slated for a summer launch and will feature standalone capabilities similar to the Meta Quest 3.
Pimax Dream Air review - incredible VR headset visuals and feather light, but the price is a fright
The Pimax Dream Air VR headset offers exceptional image quality with its high-resolution OLED displays, delivering sharp visuals and deep blacks. Despite its lightweight design and decent comfort, the headset's extremely high price and potentially restrictive optical characteristics make it a niche product for enthusiasts seeking the absolute best.
We now have teardown pics of the Steam Frame controller and it looks like it could be pretty repairable
Teardown images of Valve's upcoming Steam Frame VR controller reveal a design that appears to prioritize repairability, featuring multiple small PCBs and accessible screws. This contrasts with the more complex internal design of the Valve Index controller. Valve is reportedly targeting a summer launch for the headset, with imports already arriving in the US.
Steam Frame battery details emerge, showing hot-swappable system and AA batteries for the controllers
Details from an FCC filing reveal that the upcoming Steam Frame VR headset will feature hot-swappable batteries in an 'Enthusiast kit' and its controllers will use standard AA batteries. The filing also suggests the headset's internal battery may not be user-replaceable, though Valve's instructions are referenced for battery replacement. The Steam Frame is expected to launch this summer, potentially around the same time as the Steam Machine.
Steam Frame's tutorial video appears to leak on Reddit, demonstrating a very brief explainer of its software
A tutorial video for Valve's upcoming VR headset, the Steam Frame, has allegedly leaked on Reddit. The brief clip showcases the headset's 'Welcome Tour' software, demonstrating controller functions and UI navigation. The leak suggests the Steam Frame is nearing its summer release, though specific details on units and pricing remain unannounced.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame release windows confirmed for this summer by Valve
Valve has announced that the Steam Machine and Steam Frame hardware will be released this summer, narrowing down the previously stated early 2026 window. The company also expanded its Steam Verified program to include these new devices, with requirements for Steam Machine Verified being similar to Steam Deck Verified, and Steam Frame Verified focusing on its standalone VR experience.
Steam Machine and Steam Frame This Summer
Valve has announced that both the Steam Machine and Steam Deck will ship this summer. This confirmation comes despite concerns about potential delays due to component shortages affecting the game machine and VR headset.
Pimax Crystal Light review - an ideal VR headset for flight and racing sims
The Pimax Crystal Light is a high-resolution VR headset recommended for PC gamers, particularly those playing flight and racing simulations. It offers a significant visual upgrade over older and entry-level headsets like the Meta Quest 3, with a resolution of 2,880 x 2,880 per eye, at a price point below $1,000. While large and heavy, it provides a comfortable experience and excellent image quality for its cost.
With rumors pointing to Meta's next VR headset using pricey Micro-OLED displays, Valve's Steam Frame could…
Rumors suggest Meta's next VR headset, codenamed 'Phoenix', may feature expensive Micro-OLED displays, positioning it as a premium device similar to the Apple Vision Pro and potentially costing over $1,000. This shift in strategy could open opportunities for Valve's Steam Frame, which is confirmed to use LCD displays and may offer a more gamer-focused alternative if pricing remains competitive.
