Valve is again within the VR marketplace for the primary time for the reason that 2019 Valve Index, this time with the Steam Body, a standalone VR headset that goals to compete on the higher-end of the market, primarily based on its specs.
Since this can be a standalone headset, it could’t depend on the ability of a PC or console. As such, it’s packing some beastly specs underneath the plastic. A Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (4nm ARM 8-core CPU) powers the headset, paired with 16GB of LPDDR5X RAM for top efficiency. An Adreno 750 GPU delivers roughly 25–30% increased VR efficiency than Meta Quest 3, significantly for eye-tracked foveated rendering eventualities.
Twin LCD panels at 2160 × 2160 pixels per eye (two occasions the decision of the Valve Index), with a configurable refresh fee from 72Hz to 120Hz (and experimental 144Hz mode). So-called “pancake” choices enable improved clairty, and a subject of view of as much as 110-degrees.
Storage will depend on how a lot cash you need to spend: there’s going to be a 256gb model and a 1TB model. There’s additionally a microSD slot, the concept being you’ll be able to shortly swap playing cards to and from the newly introduced Steam Machine or the Steam Deck.
It’s operating a model of SteamOS on the within, but it surely has an added component to the Proton compatibility referred to as Fex. This lets you play desktop VR video games – like Home windows x86 VR titles – on a Linux headset. Fairly neat, proper? Oh, and you may side-load mobile-based VR titles straight onto the headset. Jesus christ, Valve, settle down.
All of this packed into a really gentle 440g, which apparently makes it the lightest standalone headset so far. And you’ll fiddle with the precise plastic of it too: face interfaces, headstraps, and extra could be swapped or 3D-printed, with Valve planning to launch official CAD/electrical specs to encourage third-party equipment.
It additionally comes with a devoted dongle for streaming video games straight out of your PC or Steam Machine. On prime of that, non-VR video games ought to run seamlessly within the headset, so you’ll be able to get pleasure from 2D gaming on an enormous digital display.
As for the controllers, the format is fairly customary. Nonetheless, they’ve some tips up their plastic sleeves. Two-stage grips on the handles, for instance, open up some attention-grabbing management choices. Every one has IMU (inertia measurement unit) to assist monitor positioning, together with 18 infrared LEDs to assist the 4 sensors on the headset monitor your fingers.
Just like the Steam Machine, no pricing has been revealed. As for a launch date, early 2026 is what Valve is saying proper now.
Early hands-on appears to point the Steam Body is a powerful piece of equipment. PC Gamer, for instance, actually praises the wi-fi streaming which was demoed utilizing Half-Life Alyx – it ran flawlessly utilizing the 6Ghz dongle.
Up to now, VR adoption has been gradual and I’m unsure the Steam Body can change that. However that doesn’t cease me from being very excited to play with one.
