Valve leaks Steam Frame VR headset instructional videos via client update
Eight instructional videos for the upcoming Steam Frame headset were inadvertently published and subsequently shared by users, revealing design details ahead of the summer launch.
Valve has inadvertently exposed eight instructional videos for its upcoming Steam Frame virtual reality headset through an update to the ARM Steam Client. The videos, which were removed after being spotted, saved, and shared by users, provide a detailed look at the device's physical design and user interface before its scheduled release this summer.
The leaked content demonstrates how to wear the headset, adjust the fit, and sign in to the platform. One video highlights an optional sign-in process that involves scanning a QR code by focusing a phone camera on one lens of the headset. While the videos offer practical guidance, they also include lighthearted demonstrations of the device being worn in unconventional ways, such as over the mouth or carried as a purse.
Key hardware features revealed in the footage include an interpupillary distance adjustment wheel with a sliding lock and a modular design for comfort components. The headset’s face gasket and optional eye spacer attach via magnets, allowing for easy modification. Additionally, the charging port is located in a battery pack situated on the backside of the main head strap.
The videos also detail the accessories included with the Steam Frame. These comprise hand straps for the controllers, a support strap that runs across the crown of the head, and an extended light blocker designed for users with smaller noses. The device is confirmed to include 16GB of RAM, a specification that has implications for its final pricing.
Valve has not confirmed the specific price of the Steam Frame, but analysts expect it to be high due to ongoing RAM shortages driving up costs across the computer hardware sector. This leak follows the recent launch of the Steam Machine and Steam Controller, with the base 512GB Steam Machine priced at $1,049, signalling a broader push by the company into the PC gaming hardware market.
The incident highlights the challenges of managing product information during pre-launch phases, as the videos were aggregated and shared on social media platforms before Valve could fully remove them from circulation.
