Valve has unveiled pricing for the Steam Frame, its new VR headset and wearable PC. The 256GB model starts at $1,059, while the 1TB version costs $1,299, controllers included.
The headset also ships with a rebuilt version of Half-Life: Alyx that runs entirely on the device, though Valve says the voucher for the game will not arrive in time for launch and is 'intended to ship to customers soon.'
Valve is also selling a small stack of extras at launch. A PSU for the built-in 21.6Wh battery costs $29, an Accessory Replacement Kit costs $49, and an Ergonomic Accessories Kit costs $59. Prescription lenses from Zenni Optical are coming later, and Arcturus plans to release an RGB camera.
Getting one, however, is not as simple as clicking buy. Buyers have to sign up for the model they want between now and September 17th at 10 AM PT. Valve will then do a one-time randomization to determine the order, and buyers will receive an email on the 17th saying whether they are on the reservation list or waitlist. Anyone signing up after September 17th goes to the back of the waitlist.
The company expects to send the first batch of purchase emails on September 18th and will continue as availability allows. If you are on the waitlist, Valve says it means there are not enough Steam Frames available for reservation yet.
Valve also says the headset has improved since the review period started. The number of standalone verified titles has grown to 130, and the Steam Frame will initially support Gamepad mode for 2D games within the unified dashboard. Valve has also improved multi-link streaming, input focus, depth projection, and visual sharpness.
The interesting part is not just the price. It is the hardware philosophy. Valve is selling a premium, early-access-style device and asking buyers to tolerate a reservation system that feels closer to a raffle than a checkout page. That is a very Valve move: ship the roadmap, then let the market sort itself out.
For users, the bet is obvious. You are paying luxury-headset money for a platform that is still gaining features after launch. If Valve keeps shipping software improvements at the pace it claims, the Steam Frame could become more useful over time. If it does not, the whole thing is a very expensive reminder that compute on your face still comes with startup vibes.