Valve Steam Frame 3 Review: Competent as a standalone VR, but wireless streaming remains the focus

Valve has released the Steam Frame 3, a VR headset designed to cater to both VR and non-VR gaming. This device features an onboard Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor and up to 1TB of internal storage, allowing users to play standalone games without requiring a PC. The Steam Frame is priced at a premium, with a price tag of over $1,000.

The headset's design is reminiscent of ski goggles, with soft curves and thin plastic to keep it lightweight. Weighing in at 440 grams, it's significantly lighter than the previous Valve Index headset. The device houses four cameras for both headset and controller tracking, as well as an eye-tracking camera. Additionally, a cooling fan is present to prevent overheating during prolonged gaming sessions.

The Steam Frame also includes a USB-C port for charging and an expansion port for potential future features. It offers an IPD adjustment knob ranging from 57.6 to 69.6 mm, an IPD lock switch, and a proximity sensor. The device supports wireless Bluetooth headphones or earbuds and features four speakers for audio.

Powered by the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 SoC, the Steam Frame can run standalone games as well as x86 Windows games, thanks to FEX emulation and Proton. The headset comes with two wireless controllers that offer six degrees of freedom and support for haptic feedback motors. The overall cost of the device is $1,299, while a 256GB version is available for $1,059.