Steam Frame just got a big boost before it reaches the first wave of buyers

A new update makes several improvements ahead of launch

(Credit: Valve)

• 🆕 Valve released the SteamOS 0.3.0 update for the Steam Frame headset ahead of its official release to buyers

• 🔋 The update addresses key user criticisms by speeding up charging rates, improving controller tracking, and enhancing system stability

• 👍 Additional software tweaks improve motion smoothing and graphics performance for games like Half-Life: Alyx

• The Steam Frame is priced at $1,059 (256GB) and $1,299 (1TB), comes with Half-Life: Alyx for free, but requires $29 for a separate charger

Valve’s Steam Frame is available for purchase to those who were lucky enough to make it onto the reservation list, and the company is already taking steps to improve the experience before it arrives in people’s homes.

A new SteamOS update for the Frame brings with it several improvements, including addressing some criticisms reviewers highlighted, including how slowly the device charges. Here are the patch notes in full for SteamOS 0.3.0:

General

• Substantially faster charging while unit is off / sleeping

• Improved controller tracking while haptics are active

• Improved system stability and reliability under high load

• Fixed “garbled audio” microphone bug.

UX

• Fixed per-app Motion Smoothing -> “Force Always-On” setting (was getting ignored)

• Improved motion smoothing behavior in Alyx

• Added VR Settings control for “Game dimming when dashboard is visible”

• VR Settings -> Play Area no longer auto-shows bounds

Developer

• Change Playable performance criteria to allow any resolution (was: 1440p)

• Vulkan layer fixes for increased game compatibility

• Multiple improvements to overall system / OS performance

• Multiple improvements to graphics performance (Mesa)

The release of the Steam Frame completes Valve’s trio of new hardware. We’ve already seen Valve release several updates for the Steam Machine and Steam Controller, so hopefully it can keep up a regular update cadence despite having to juggle more devices.

The Steam Frame costs $1,059 for the 256GB model and $1,299 for the 1TB model. You’ll also have to pay $29 for a charger, as the headset doesn’t include one. However, every Steam Frame purchase comes with a copy of Half-Life: Alyx for free.

Up next: Steam Deck 2 hasn’t been derailed by the ongoing RAM crisis, Valve insists

Adam Vjestica is The Shortcut’s Senior Editor. Formerly TechRadar’s Gaming Hardware Editor, Adam has also worked at Nintendo of Europe as a Content Marketing Editor, where he helped launch the Nintendo Switch. He also runs a retro gaming YouTube channel called Game on, boy! Follow him on X @ItsMrProducts.