My failed Steam Frame teardown… and iFixit’s successful one
PC Gamer’s reviewer attempted a full teardown of the Steam Frame but stopped midway through disassembly, uncertain about continuing without potentially damaging the review unit. While the author successfully removed several components without incident, they lacked confidence to proceed further with the delicate internal work.
To complete the process, iFixit has published a comprehensive teardown of Valve’s VR headset, conducted by repair specialist Shahram Mokhtari. The professional successfully completed the full disassembly where the PC Gamer reviewer halted, demonstrating techniques and approaches the original teardown author was hesitant to attempt—including methods for accessing deeper internal components of the Steam Frame.
The comparison between the two teardowns illustrates the difference between cautious consumer-level disassembly and professional repair expertise. While the PC Gamer attempt provided initial insights into the device’s construction, iFixit’s full documentation offers the comprehensive technical breakdown that enthusiasts and repairers need. The successful teardown reveals the Steam Frame’s repairability and component accessibility, information valuable to users concerned about long-term hardware maintenance.