The Steam Frame Might End Up More Expensive Than the Steam Machine
According to a since-deleted stream by prominent Valve leaker Tyler McVicker, Valve’s upcoming Steam Frame wireless VR headset could cost $1,100 or more—potentially making it pricier than Valve’s earlier Steam Machine mini-PC. The leaked pricing continues Valve’s trend of aggressive pricing for consumer hardware, following the Steam Machine’s controversial launch over a year ago.
While Valve hasn’t announced an official release date beyond a vague “later this year,” recent developments suggest an imminent launch. Lepton and FEX, two critical software components required for the Steam Frame’s operation, are now publicly available on Steam. Lepton serves as a Linux container that enables Android game compatibility, while FEX is an optimization tool essential for the Snapdragon-powered device. The public availability of these foundational software dependencies on Steam indicates Valve is finalizing the platform ahead of release.
The Steam Frame represents Valve’s continued hardware ambitions in the VR space. The device is powered by Snapdragon technology and relies on Linux-based software infrastructure, differentiating it from traditional PC-based VR solutions. The leaked pricing may generate discussion in the gaming community, particularly given mixed reception to previous high-priced Valve hardware ventures.