Compare Apple Vision Pro M5 vs Valve Steam Frame
In this technical comparison between the Apple Vision Pro M5 and the Valve Steam Frame, we analyze the key features to help you choose.
The display is a highlight, featuring a resolution of 23 million pixels total (approx. 3660×3200 per eye) for the Vision Pro M5 versus 2160 × 2160 per eye for the Steam Frame.
Choosing between these two VR Headsets models often comes down to your budget, with prices around 3499 USD and Estimated $599 – $899 USD.
| Specifications |
Apple Vision Pro M5 |
Valve Steam Frame |
|---|---|---|
|
|
|
| Launch | ||
| Release Version | October, 2025 | 2026 |
| Display | ||
| Sensor Technology | Micro-OLED (3D display system) | Dual LCD Panels (RGB Stripe) |
| Image Resolution | 23 million pixels total (approx. 3660×3200 per eye) | 2160 × 2160 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 90Hz, 96Hz, 100Hz, and 120Hz | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz (144Hz Experimental mode) |
| Field of view | ~100° Horizontal | Up to 110° (Horizontal) |
| Brightness | ~5,000 nits (internal) / ~100 nits (perceived) | High-persistence LCD (specific nits TBD, optimized for clarity) |
| HDR | Yes (Supports Dolby Vision, HDR10, and HLG) | - |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Custom Three-element Catadioptric (Pancake-style) | Custom Pancake Lenses (Edge-to-edge sharpness) |
| IPD adjustment | Automatic/Electronic (51mm–75mm) | Physical manual dial |
| Eye relief | Adjustable via Light Seal sizes & magnetic ZEISS inserts | Adjustable (fits glasses up to 140mm wide) |
| Tracking & Input | ||
| Tracking type | 6DoF Inside-out (12 cameras, 5 sensors) | 6-DOF Inside-out (SLAM) |
| Controller tracking | No physical controllers (Supports PS/Xbox gamepads) | Tracked via 4 outward-facing monochrome cameras |
| Hand tracking | Yes (High-precision gesture system) | Supported (via expansion or software update; focus is on controllers) |
| Eye tracking | Yes (High-performance LED/IR camera system) | Yes (2 interior cameras); enables Foveated Streaming |
| Facial tracking | Yes (Used for "Persona" avatars and EyeSight) | Optional (Supported via front expansion port) |
| Performance | ||
| Processor / Chipset | Apple M5 chip + Apple R1 chip (12ms latency) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm ARM64) |
| RAM | 16 GB Unified Memory | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X |
| Storage | 256 GB, 512 GB, or 1 TB | 256GB or 1TB UFS (plus MicroSD slot for expansion) |
| Mixed Reality Features | ||
| Passthrough | Real-time 4K Stereoscopic Color Passthrough | Monochrome (Grayscale) via 4 tracking cameras (1280× 1024) |
| Depth sensing | LiDAR Scanner + TrueDepth camera system | Software-based (Expansion port allows for hardware depth modules) |
| Audio | ||
| Built-in audio | Dual-driver Spatial Audio pods | Dual stereo drivers per ear (Extra-fidelity, vibration-canceling) |
| 3.5mm jack | No (Supports AirPods Pro with H2 ultra-low latency) | Yes |
| Mic | Six-microphone array with directional beamforming | Dual microphone array |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired | Proprietary Battery Connector (USB-C on the battery) | USB-C 2.0 (Rear-mounted for charging/data) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) | Wi-Fi 7 (Dual-radio 5GHz/6GHz for simultaneous internet /streaming) |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 (Dedicated 2.4GHz link for controllers) |
| PCVR support | Official Mac Virtual Display (Supports Ultra-wide 4K/5K) | Yes (Includes a 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E USB Adapter for low-latency direct link) |
| Compatibility | ||
| Platforms | App Store (visionOS), iPad/iPhone App Support | Steam, SteamVR, Standalone SteamOS |
| Supported OS | visionOS 2.0 or later | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based Linux); runs Windows games via Proton/FEX-Emu |
| Comfort | ||
| Weight | 750 – 800 g (with Light Seal and Head Band) | 185g (Core module) / 440g (Total with battery strap) |
| Strap type | Solo Knit Band and Dual Knit Band (Included) | Padded retractable strap with rear-mounted battery (counterbalanced) |
| Face interface | Magnetic "Light Seal" (Various sizes) | Fabric/Plastic hybrid (replaceable) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | 2.5 hours general use / 3 hours video | ~2–3 hours (Standalone) / ~4–5 hours (PC Streaming) |
| Charging method | USB-C (via external battery pack) | USB-C (45W Fast Charging supported) |
| External battery support | Required (Headset is tethered to external pack) | Supported via USB-C |
| Misc | ||
| Inside the box | Headset, Battery, Solo/Dual Bands, Light Seal, Cover | Headset, 2x Steam Frame Controllers, 6GHz Wireless Adapter, 45W Charger, USB-C Cable |
| Price | 3499 USD | Estimated $599 – $899 USD |
| Full Details | Vision Pro M5 - Full Specifications | Steam Frame - Full Specifications |