It looks like Valve is getting ready to release the Steam Frame, the third and final piece of hardware it showed us last year, alongside the Steam Machine and Steam Controller. Earlier today, a series of unboxing, setup, and other instructional videos for Valve’s upcoming next-gen VR headset leaked online via an update to the ARM Steam client. Valve quickly removed them, but not before users picked them up and re-uploaded them. Instead of protesting (I’m sure the company wasn’t thrilled with these videos leaking earlier than originally planned), Valve reposted the videos, and while they haven’t officially released them yet, they can easily be found on the Steam backend and can be found via the links collected here. STEAM FRAME UPDATE: The ARM Steam client had an update this morning containing these videos. After that, they quickly removed it, but of course people managed to grab them. These are videos detailing unboxing, logging in, and setting up Steam Frame. pic.twitter.com/AAFk5D69eJ — Steam Hardware Updates (@HardwareSteam) August 19, 2026 The videos detail how to set up and log into the device, use of which will require a Steam account. As a reminder, Steam Frame can be used as a standalone VR headset or connected wirelessly to a PC running Steam. Other leaked videos include things like how to install the head strap and light blockers, as well as one detailing the wireless adapter and a number of ergonomic accessories. Steam Frame VR headset specs at a glance Resolution: 2160×2160 per eye (pancake optics) Field of view: 110 degrees Refresh rate: 72Hz to 120Hz (144Hz experimental) Weight: 435g total Processor: 4nm Snapdragon ARM Memory: 16GB Unified LPDDR5 RAM Storage: 256GB / 1TB UFS storage options (microSD slot for expansion) Connectivity: Wi-Fi 7, 5Ghz/6Ghz 2×2 dual streaming for simultaneous VR and Wi-Fi Wireless PC tethering: Wi-Fi 6E (6Ghz) with USB 3.0 receiver Tracking: 4 outward-facing monochrome cameras (outside IR illuminator for dark environments), 2 indoor cameras for eye tracking Battery: Battery 21.6 Wh rechargeable Li-On (mounted on back of head strap) In his hands-on with the device last year, my colleague Michael Higham noted how the Steam Frame gives you the same interface and quality of life features as the Steam Deck and Steam Machine, and noted how much he enjoyed using the device as a virtual theater for playing non-VR games. “This type of experience is not new,” he said, “but the seamless integration through SteamOS also makes it very easy to use, and the super-fast wireless technology means you can play PC games with the full power of your system with low latency.” With these leaked setup videos, it seems likely that Valve is planning to release the Steam Frame soon, which lines up with the plan to have it in the hands of customers before the end of summer 2026. That said, we still don’t know how much the Steam Frame will cost, but if the price of the Steam Machine (and hardware prices in general) is any indication, it will probably end up being more expensive than Valve originally expected. For more information on Steam Frame, check out our Q&A with Valve about why it’s returning to VR, how the technology has evolved since the innovative Index VR headset, and how it made wireless streaming work so well. Bo Moore is the senior technology manager at IGN. You can find it online @usebomswisely.
