DailyTechPricesDevice Comparison
| Index | Steam Frame | |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | ||
| Processor | Requires a gaming PC (quad-core CPU and GeForce GTX 970 / Radeon RX 480 or better). | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) (4 nm) |
| GPU (Graphics) | ||
| AI Upscaling | Depends on the PC (DLSS / FSR in supported titles). | — |
| Advanced Ray Tracing | Depends on the PC's graphics card. | — |
| Compute Power | Depends on the PC's graphics card. | — |
| Graphics Engine | Rendered by the connected PC via SteamVR. | Adreno 750 |
| GAMING OUTPUT | ||
| Max Resolution | Dual LCD panels at 1440 × 1600 per eye, about 130° field of view. | Dual LCD, 2160 x 2160 pixels per eye |
| Optics | — | Pancake lenses; Field of view: Up to 110 degrees (horizontal); IPD: Variable, with dial |
| Refresh Rate | 80 / 90 / 120 / 144 Hz. | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, 144Hz (experimental) |
| VRR & HDR | None (Motion Smoothing on the PC side). | — |
| LAUNCH DATE | ||
| Released | 28 June 2019 | 2026-09-18 |
| Status | Discontinued (November 2025). | Available |
| BODY | ||
| Build | — | Rear-mounted replaceable battery, strap-integrated speakers |
| Weight | — | 440 g with strap and facial interface (185 g core module alone) |
| MEMORY | ||
| System Memory | No onboard game memory; rendered by the connected gaming PC. | 16GB LPDDR5X |
| SOUND | ||
| Audio | — | Dual-driver stereo speakers per ear, integrated into strap; Microphone: Dual microphone array |
| COMMUNICATION | ||
| Bluetooth | None (Index Controllers pair through the headset's built-in wireless receiver). | 5.4 |
| Ethernet | No | — |
| HDMI | None — DisplayPort 1.2 via the tether cable. | No (no DisplayPort or HDMI input; wireless streaming only) |
| USB Ports | USB 3.0 in the tether cable to the PC; USB 3.0 expansion port under the front cover. | USB Type-C |
| WLAN | None (tethered headset). | Wi-Fi 7, 2x2, dual radios |
| FEATURES | ||
| Tracking | — | Cameras: 6 total (4x monochrome tracking cameras with IR illuminators, 2x interior eye-tracking cameras); Passthrough: Monochrome (color via optional Arcturus Vision camera); Eye Tracking: Yes (Foveated Streaming); Hand Tracking: No |
| BATTERY | ||
| Capacity | — | 21.6Wh, Li-ion, replaceable |
| Charging Type | — | 45W USB-C (charger not included, sold separately) |
| ADDITIONAL INFORMATION | ||
| In the Box | — | Headset, 2 controllers, Wi-Fi 6E adapter, Half-Life: Alyx (no power supply) |
| Launch Price | — | €1,049 (256GB) — Europe; €1,279 (1TB) — Europe |
| Launch Price (USD) | $999.00 (reference only — see Price in Nigeria above for the actual retail price) | $1,059 (256GB), $1,299 (1TB) (US launch price) |
| Price in Nigeria | ₦1,399,000 | ₦1,482,600 – ₦1,818,600 (estimate, converted from US launch price) |
| STORAGE | ||
| Expandable | No | microSD; 1-lane PCIe Gen 4 port, dual 2.5Gbps MIPI camera interface |
| Internal Storage | None (games install on the PC). | 256GB, 1TB; UFS |
| CONTROLLER | ||
| Controller | Valve Index Controllers with finger tracking (included in the full kit); requires SteamVR Base Stations 2.0. | Controllers: 2x Steam Frame Controller (gamepad layout: ABXY, D-pad); Thumbsticks: TMR sensors; Sensing: Capacitive on all inputs, 18 infrared LEDs per controller; Controller Battery: 1x AA per controller (approx. 40 hours) |
| PERFORMANCE ENHANCEMENT | ||
| Backward Compatibility | Full SteamVR library; works with HTC Vive base stations and controllers. | SteamOS 3 (Linux), with Proton and FEX x86 emulation |
| Game Boost | SteamVR Motion Smoothing and per-app resolution scaling. | PC streaming: Bundled 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E USB adapter |