ShortCircuit's Steam Frame Unboxing Leaks Early
What Is the Steam Frame VR Headset?
The Steam Frame is Valve's upcoming virtual reality headset, revealed through a leaked ShortCircuit unboxing published briefly on YouTube before being made private. The device is a standalone VR headset powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM, designed to stream PC-based virtual reality content to the user.
ShortCircuit, a sister channel of Linus Tech Tips (LTT), had previously handled the Steam Frame while it was still a prototype.1 The brief publication of the unboxing video indicates the reviewers are now in possession of the final retail product, accelerating expectations that Valve's launch is imminent. Copies of the unboxing were quickly saved and redistributed across other channels and Reddit before the original was taken down.1
The Valve Steam Frame is an upcoming virtual reality headset powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM.
Key Specifications
Key specifications of the Steam Frame, confirmed in the leaked ShortCircuit unboxing video, include a Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC, 16GB LPDDR5X RAM, Wi-Fi 7 2×2 connectivity, and an included 6GHz dongle for PC-to-headset video streaming.
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen3 SoC |
| RAM | 16GB LPDDR5X (installed directly into the headset) |
| Wireless connectivity | Wi-Fi 7 2×2; optional 6GHz dongle included |
| Controller power | Single AA battery per controller, up to 40 hours of operation |
| Display quality (per Linus Tech Tips) | Sharp, with some color fringing at the edges of the optics |
| Test game used | Half-Life: Alyx |
| Ergonomic Accessories Kit price | US$60 (~RM244) |
| Headset price | Not announced |
The Steam Frame supports Wi-Fi 7 2×2 connectivity and ships with an optional 6GHz dongle for direct PC-to-headset video streaming.
How Does the Steam Frame Stream Content From a PC?
The Steam Frame streams video content from a PC to the headset using Wi-Fi 7 2×2 connectivity or an included 6GHz dongle. Valve stated the dongle is optional and can be bypassed if the user has stable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, while still shipping the dongle for peace of mind.
"Valve said that the dongle isn't necessarily and can be bypassed as long as the user has stable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, but having that optional extra is nevertheless for peace of mind."— Valve via Lowyat.NET, September 2026
ShortCircuit's review unit was not supported by the Steam Machine platform and instead streamed from a Windows PC.1 Linus described the headset's display as sharp, save for some color fringing at the edges of the optics. The included controllers run on a single AA battery each, providing up to 40 hours of operation — a choice the original report flags as odd, since Valve could have made them rechargeable via USB-C.1
Valve states the 6GHz dongle is optional and can be bypassed when the user has stable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity.
What Did the Leaked Unboxing Reveal About Pricing and Accessories?
The Steam Frame's headset pricing remains unannounced, but the leaked unboxing revealed an Ergonomic Accessories Kit priced at US$60 (~RM244). The video also confirmed the headset ships alongside the dongle and accessory kit contents.
In addition to price details, the unboxing footage confirmed the accessory kit contents with on-screen demonstration. Headset pricing and regional availability were not disclosed in the video.1
The Steam Frame's Ergonomic Accessories Kit retails for US$60 (~RM244), while headset pricing remains unannounced.
How Does the Steam Frame Position Against PC-Based VR Streaming?
ShortCircuit's Steam Frame review unit was not supported by the Steam Machine and instead streamed from a Windows PC. Half-Life: Alyx served as the test game, while Valve may be developing a native version of Alyx that runs directly on the headset rather than relying on PC streaming.
The choice of Half-Life: Alyx is notable given Valve's history with the half-life franchise and its prior use as a flagship VR title. If Valve releases a native build of Alyx for the Steam Frame, it would reduce reliance on a PC connection and potentially lower latency for users without a compatible streaming host.1
ShortCircuit's review unit was not supported by the Steam Machine and streamed directly from a Windows PC using Half-Life: Alyx.
Common Questions
Can the Steam Frame stream without the 6GHz dongle?
Yes. Per Valve's statement, the included 6GHz dongle is optional and can be bypassed as long as the user has stable Wi-Fi 6 connectivity. The dongle serves as a peace-of-mind accessory for users who want a more reliable dedicated connection.
What game did ShortCircuit use to test the Steam Frame?
ShortCircuit used Half-Life: Alyx to test the Steam Frame review unit. The headset streamed the game from a Windows PC rather than a Steam Machine, since the review unit was not supported by the Steam Machine platform.
Are the Steam Frame controllers equipped with rechargeable batteries?
No. Each controller runs on a single AA battery providing up to 40 hours of operation. The original report notes this is an unusual choice, as Valve could have used USB-C rechargeable controllers instead.
The Steam Frame supports streaming over Wi-Fi 6 or Wi-Fi 7, with the optional dongle providing a dedicated 6GHz connection.
Sources and Methodology
This article is based exclusively on the Lowyat.NET report of the ShortCircuit unboxing leak, with no additional external data sourced. The original leak was published by ShortCircuit (YouTube) via Kaartilage, as cited in the Lowyat.NET post.
Currency conversion (US$60 to ~RM244) is cited from the source material and may vary by exchange rate. All specifications, pricing, and statements attributed to Valve, Linus Tech Tips, or ShortCircuit are drawn directly from the Lowyat.NET publish.
This article was last updated in September 2026.
This article is based exclusively on the Lowyat.NET report of the ShortCircuit unboxing leak, with no additional external data sourced.