The eagerly awaited Steam Frame virtual reality headset is reportedly already in mass production, with plans for a launch by the end of this year. This comes from a new report originating in China, suggesting that Valve is gearing up for a significant return to the VR space, with hundreds of thousands of units expected to be available annually.
While Valve has yet to officially announce a new VR headset to replace its aging Index, rumors of a successor have been persistent. Although a rumored Steam Frame announcement didn’t come to fruition last month, it doesn’t mean the company hasn’t been busy. A previously discovered Steam Frame patent and insights from SteamVR data mining both point towards a new VR device in development, one that could potentially contend with Meta’s current dominance.
This latest rumor, initially highlighted by UploadVR, was shared by a Chinese analyst group known as the XR Research Institute. The group asserts that the Steam Frame, which has also been referred to by the codename Valve Deckard in earlier whispers, is now in mass production. Furthermore, the analysts claim that Valve is preparing between 400,000 and 600,000 headsets for sale each year.
It’s also speculated, though still unconfirmed by Valve, that this new headset could make its debut before the year concludes, just in time for the holiday shopping season. No additional specifics about the device were included in this new report, but long-standing rumors, including an early SteamVR leak, have suggested that the Deckard headset will be a standalone unit, not requiring a PC connection. This would position it as a direct competitor to the Meta Quest 3.
However, it’s crucial to approach this news with a degree of skepticism, as Valve has not yet confirmed the existence of any new VR headset. Plans can, and often do, change. A new headset from Valve would certainly generate considerable interest, but its ultimate success will likely hinge on its price point. Fortunately, if this new rumor holds true, we may not have to wait much longer to discover the truth.
In the interim, for those seeking portable gaming experiences, consider exploring guides on the best gaming laptops for a less immersive but still mobile setup. Alternatively, our guide to the best handheld gaming PCs offers compact options, including Valve’s popular Steam Deck, which remains a favorite among gamers.
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