Valve essentially considers Steam Frame a ‘streaming-first’ VR device, capable of directly connecting to your PC via a Wi-Fi 6E dongle so you can play high-quality VR and flatscreen games. But don’t let the RAMpocalypse get you down: you don’t even need a PC, VR-ready or otherwise.
Before I ever got my hands on Frame, I had already filed away the headset’s standalone experience as something of an afterthought.
It’s a wireless PC VR headset that can do a few extra party tricks (I thought). The headset’s Qualcomm Snapdragon Series 8 Gen 3 chipset was released in 2023, which is not exactly the cutting edge (I ruminated).
More than I expected though, Steam Frame has turned out to truly be a standalone headset in its own right, to the point that you could buy it, use it, and enjoy it without even owning a PC.
To boot, Frame has a completely self-contained setup flow, full Steam interface, full Linux desktop, and can pretty much download and run the entire steam library of flat or VR content.
Of course, your mileage will (massively) vary depending on whether you’re running Frame-certified games, or forging your own path and testing the limits of the headset.
You can, and should do that by the way, because for the most part, Frame won’t stop you from downloading a game that would run like garbage on it (flat or VR). And it won’t even stop you from taking a Frame-certified game and cranking up the settings to the point that it looks like a slideshow. Carte blanche. Melt that sucker if you want.
You can even pair a keyboard, mouse, or regular gamepad via Bluetooth, just like you’d expect to be able to do on a full-fledged PC.
And in a sense, Steam Frame is a full-fledged PC, more so than any major standalone headset to date — arguably even more than Vision Pro, because Valve is literally handing you the keys to a bog-standard KDE Linux desktop with zero restrictions on what applications your could install on it, and letting you add storage by adding your own MicroSD card.
Then again, I’m not saying to go out and buy a Steam Frame instead of a laptop or desktop PC at this point, but I’m also not saying not to do that.
Starting at $1,060, which is a lot less expensive than I thought given the delays and increased cost of components, you may see it as a hybrid device that could potentially replace a number of things.
Anyway, that’s something I’ll certainly be experimenting with in the coming months so I can see exactly where Steam Frame settles. As it is, all of my work and casual content consumption is still done on flatscreen, and about half of my gaming too, leaving really only dedicated VR games for my usual primary device, Quest 3.
I’m also waiting to see how many more PC VR games can get the ‘Steam Frame Certified’ badge. For now, there are over 130 games and tools, with more yet to come, including a standalone port of Half-Life: Alyx (2020) set to release sometime after the headset’s launch starting September 18th.
Looking for more Steam Frame news?
Valve Announces Steam Frame Price, Release Date, and Accessories – Pre-orders Now Open: The day is finally here. But will you win the randomized lottery and get a chance to buy the first batch?
Valve Confirms Half-Life: Alyx is Coming to Steam Frame Standalone, But Not in Time for Launch: Arguably the best VR game is getting a standalone native build for Frame, but you may have to wait.
Steam Frame vs. Valve Index Specs: Wireless VR Gameplay That’s Generations Ahead: Valve Index used to be the go-to PC VR headset, but the times have changed.
Steam Frame vs. Quest 3 Specs: Better Streaming, Power & Hackability: Quest 3 can do a lot, but can it go toe-to-toe with Steam Frame?
Valve is Open to Bringing SteamOS to Third-party VR Headsets: Steam Frame is the first VR headset to run SteamOS, but it may not be the last.
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