Valve's 'Steam Frame' is looking more like a standalone VR headset to take on Meta Quest — what we know

Valve is rumored to be developing several hotly anticipated devices, with its Steam Deck 2 expected to be in the works and a new Steam console tipped to be on the way. But its next hardware release is now pointing towards a standalone VR headset.

Recently, Valve trademarked new hardware called "Steam Frame," with reports indicating this could be the company's long-rumored Valve Fremont, a dedicated home console with SteamOS, or the Valve Deckard, its expected next-gen VR headset.

Now, thanks to a new leak from reliable tipster SadlyItsBradley on X, the "Frame" is very much looking like a headset for VR gaming. The leaker confirms that Valve is "rebranding SteamVR 'Overlays' to 'Frames,'" and seeing how the "Steam Frame" moniker now exists, it's likely that this hardware will be made for virtual reality.

Many other rumors point to a standalone VR headset from Valve, à la Meta Quest 3. This includes leaked details on its Roy VR controllers, along with a tip that the Valve Deckard would arrive by the end of 2025. What's more, this headset is rumored to be priced around $1,200 / £950, although this leak came from earlier this year, and with tariffs, that cost may all change.

Is 'Steam Frame' just for VR?

While it's yet to be official, if Valve ends up naming its expected Valve Deckard the "Steam Frame," as SadlyItsBradley suggests, we could have an all-new VR headset on our hands by the end of the year. That said, there's still a chance this could be part of a home console setup after all, with a previous rumor suggesting the VR headset would launch alongside the Valve Fremont.

There are also murmurs of a SteamVR Link Wireless Dongle on Reddit via TweakTown to wirelessly connect the "Steam Frame" to a PC to allow for higher-quality VR gaming, and SadlyItsBradley has also unveiled what the Roy controllers may look like.

So, we may see this "Steam Frame" VR headset as part of the launch of Valve's console, too. But of course, we won't know until Valve officially reveals its next set of hardware. Fortunately, this may not be too far off, with leakers claiming it will arrive by the end of 2025.

If it's to take on the Meta Quest 3, it will already have a tough time with its asking price. Compared to the Valve Index, we'd like to see at least 1440p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate, along with complete access to SteamOS for VR without needing a VR-ready PC.

That's not the only headset that may be coming our way soon, as Samsung's Project Moohan is set to be coming (at an expected $1,800 cost), and we may see the Meta Quest 4 arrive further down the line.

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