Valve has stopped manufacturing its Index VR headset
Valve has officially unveiled its latest innovation in virtual reality technology, the Steam Frame, a versatile VR headset that marks a significant departure from its predecessor, the Valve Index. Unlike the Index, which required a physical connection to a PC and relied on external lighthouse base stations for tracking, the Steam Frame offers a more streamlined experience. It incorporates a dedicated streaming stick that allows users to play games directly from their PCs while also featuring an Arm chip that enables local play of Windows games. This dual capability positions the Steam Frame as a more flexible option in the evolving VR landscape.
The Steam Frame is not merely a sequel to the Valve Index; it brings several enhancements to the table. For instance, the new headset boasts an impressive resolution of 2160 x 2160 per eye, a notable upgrade from the Index’s 1440 x 1600 per eye. Valve has also retained the beloved “Knuckles” controllers from the Index, allowing users to purchase optional straps that secure the controllers to their hands, enhancing immersion. In terms of tracking, the Steam Frame abandons the lighthouse system in favor of a more modern approach, utilizing four monochrome cameras and infrared illuminators to accurately determine its position in 3D space. This shift not only simplifies setup but also aligns with the growing trend towards standalone VR devices, as seen with Meta’s successful Quest series and high-end offerings like the Apple Vision Pro.
Valve’s commitment to wireless technology is evident in the Steam Frame’s 6GHz wireless streaming adapter, which the company is confident will provide a seamless experience without the need for cumbersome cords. Early demonstrations have shown promising results, suggesting that the wireless capabilities could rival traditional tethered setups. As Valve moves forward with the Steam Frame, it has confirmed that the Index will no longer be manufactured, marking the end of an era for the popular VR headset that debuted in 2019. While Valve has yet to disclose a specific launch price, they have indicated that the Steam Frame will be more affordable than the $999 Index, with a scheduled release in early 2026. This announcement has generated excitement among VR enthusiasts, and Valve is set to host a subscriber-exclusive AMA to address any questions about the new hardware, further engaging the community as they anticipate this next step in VR evolution.
Valve has just announced the
Steam Frame
, its new VR headset that can play games streamed directly from your PC using a dedicated streaming stick
and
run Windows games locally thanks to an Arm chip in the headset itself. At the same time, Valve is also moving on from its previous VR headset, the Valve Index, which it’s “no longer manufacturing,” designer Lawrence Yang tells
The Verge
.
The Index, a high-end headset that had to be tethered to your PC to work and used external “lighthouse” base stations for tracking, was released in 2019. In
her review
, my colleague Adi Robertson praised its visuals and
its controllers
, though dinged it for its $999 cost.
But corded headsets have also fallen out of favor since then. Meta has sold
tens of millions
of its standalone Quest VR headsets that can play games without a PC connection and track your position without extra base stations. Even more expensive headsets like the
Apple Vision Pro
and
Samsung’s Galaxy XR
have taken the standalone approach.
The Frame isn’t exactly a sequel to the Index. But it does improve upon the older headset with some of its specs; the Index’s LCD screens have 1440 x 1600 per-eye resolution, while the Frame offers 2160 x 2160 per eye, for example. If you like the
Index’s “Knuckles” controllers
and how you can strap them right onto your hand, you’ll be able to buy optional straps for the Frame’s controllers so you can do the same thing.
And Valve is extremely confident in the Frame’s 6GHz wireless streaming adapter as a replacement for a physical cord. In our brief demos at Valve HQ, the streaming worked extremely well.
This may be the end for Valve’s lighthouse base stations, which were actually first released in 2016 with
the HTC Vive
. If you’ve got lighthouse base stations set up in your home already, don’t expect to use them with the Frame anytime soon, if ever.
“With Steam Frame, we’re not working on lighthouse support for it,” Yang says. Instead of sweeping a room with lasers like the lighthouses, the Frame currently uses four monochrome cameras and IR illuminators to determine its position in 3D space, though it also has a modular accessory port that could support additional cameras.
Got any burning questions about Valve’s new hardware?
We’re holding a subscriber-exclusive AMA today, November 12th, at 3PM ET. Drop your questions
here
and we’ll do our best to answer them.
The Stream Frame is set to launch in early 2026. Valve hasn’t yet shared a specific price for it, only telling us that it will be cheaper than the $999 Index.
