Compare Valve Index vs Valve Steam Frame
In this technical comparison between the Valve Index and the Valve Steam Frame, we analyze the key features to help you choose.
The display is a highlight, featuring a resolution of 2880 × 1600 total (1440 × 1600 per eye) for the Index 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 $999 (Full Kit) / $499 (Headset Only) at launch and Estimated $599 – $899 USD.
| Specifications |
Valve Index |
Valve Steam Frame |
|---|---|---|
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| Launch | ||
| Version | June 2019 | 2026 |
| Display | ||
| Type | Dual 1440 x 1600 RGB LCDs | Dual LCD Panels (RGB Stripe) |
| Resolution | 2880 × 1600 total (1440 × 1600 per eye) | 2160 × 2160 per eye |
| Refresh rate | 80Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz, and an experimental 144Hz mode | 72Hz, 90Hz, 120Hz (144Hz Experimental mode) |
| Field of view | ~130° | Up to 110° (Horizontal) |
| Brightness | Not officially rated in nits | High-persistence LCD (specific nits TBD, optimized for clarity) |
| HDR | Not supported | - |
| Optics | ||
| Lens type | Custom Double Element Fresnel (Canted design) | Custom Pancake Lenses (Edge-to-edge sharpness) |
| IPD adjustment | Physical slider (58mm – 70mm) | Physical manual dial |
| Eye relief | Physical knob to move lenses closer/further from eyes to maximize FOV | Adjustable (fits glasses up to 140mm wide) |
| Tracking & Input | ||
| Tracking type | SteamVR Tracking 2.0 (Outside-in via Base Stations) | 6-DOF Inside-out (SLAM) |
| Controller tracking | "Knuckles" Controllers with 87 sensors for individual finger tracking | Tracked via 4 outward-facing monochrome cameras |
| Hand tracking | Supported via external cameras/SDKs (experimental) | Supported (via expansion or software update; focus is on controllers) |
| Eye tracking | Not supported | Yes (2 interior cameras); enables Foveated Streaming |
| Facial tracking | Not supported natively | Optional (Supported via front expansion port) |
| Performance | ||
| Processor / Chipset | None (PC-powered) | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm ARM64) |
| RAM | PC Dependent (Minimum 8GB+ recommended) | 16GB Unified LPDDR5X |
| Storage | None | 256GB or 1TB UFS (plus MicroSD slot for expansion) |
| Mixed Reality Features | ||
| Passthrough | Dual 960x960 RGB global shutter cameras | Monochrome (Grayscale) via 4 tracking cameras (1280× 1024) |
| Depth sensing | Software-based (Stereoscopic) | Software-based (Expansion port allows for hardware depth modules) |
| Audio | ||
| Built-in audio | Integrated Off-Ear Balanced Mode Radiators (BMR) (Non-contact) | Dual stereo drivers per ear (Extra-fidelity, vibration-canceling) |
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | Yes |
| Mic | Dual microphone array (High fidelity) | Dual microphone array |
| Connectivity | ||
| Wired | 5-meter tether (DisplayPort 1.2, USB 3.0, 12V Power) | USB-C 2.0 (Rear-mounted for charging/data) |
| Wireless | Not supported | Wi-Fi 7 (Dual-radio 5GHz/6GHz for simultaneous internet /streaming) |
| Bluetooth | Yes (For Base Station control) | Bluetooth 5.3 (Dedicated 2.4GHz link for controllers) |
| PCVR support | Native (SteamVR) | Yes (Includes a 6GHz Wi-Fi 6E USB Adapter for low-latency direct link) |
| Compatibility | ||
| Platforms | SteamVR | Steam, SteamVR, Standalone SteamOS |
| Supported OS | Windows 10, Windows 11, Linux (SteamOS) | SteamOS 3 (Arch-based Linux); runs Windows games via Proton/FEX-Emu |
| Comfort | ||
| Weight | 809g | 185g (Core module) / 440g (Total with battery strap) |
| Strap type | Rigid head strap with rear adjustment dial | Padded retractable strap with rear-mounted battery (counterbalanced) |
| Face interface | Antimicrobial fabric "Face Gasket" (Magnetic and replaceable) | Fabric/Plastic hybrid (replaceable) |
| Battery | ||
| Battery life | N/A (Headset is wired); Controllers last ~7–8 hours | ~2–3 hours (Standalone) / ~4–5 hours (PC Streaming) |
| Charging method | USB-C (for controllers) | USB-C (45W Fast Charging supported) |
| External battery support | N/A | Supported via USB-C |
| Misc | ||
| Inside the box | (Full Kit): Headset, 2x Controllers, 2x SteamVR 2.0 Base Stations, Power Adapters, Face Gasket, Cleaning Cloth | Headset, 2x Steam Frame Controllers, 6GHz Wireless Adapter, 45W Charger, USB-C Cable |
| Price | $999 (Full Kit) / $499 (Headset Only) at launch | Estimated $599 – $899 USD |
| Full Details | Index - Full Specifications | Steam Frame - Full Specifications |