Valve announced the Steam Frame in November 2025 as the long-awaited successor to the Valve Index, with a release expected in the second half of 2026. Unlike its tethered predecessor, this standalone headset uses inside-out tracking (no external base stations) and runs on a Linux-based SteamOS, allowing it to natively play both VR and non-VR games from Steam through compatibility layers like Proton (for Windows) and Lepton (for Android apps). The hardware is notably lightweight (185g base) and features 2160x2160 LCDs per eye with refresh rates up to 144Hz, eye tracking for foveated rendering, and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chip with up to 1TB of storage. It supports wireless PC streaming via Wi-Fi 7 (with an optional bundled Wi-Fi 6E adapter), and its controllers mimic the Meta Quest 3's design but add a gamepad-style D-pad and face buttons, utilizing drift-resistant TMR analog sticks. An expansion port with PCIe Gen 4 and MIPI camera interfaces opens the door for third-party accessories like face tracking and full-body tracking, positioning it as a direct competitor to the Meta Quest line.