Valve Discontinues Index VR Headset Production
▼ Summary
– Valve announced the Steam Frame VR headset, which streams PC games wirelessly and runs Windows games locally using an Arm chip.
– The company has discontinued production of the Valve Index, its previous tethered VR headset released in 2019.
– The Steam Frame improves upon the Index with higher resolution displays and optional straps to replicate the Knuckles controllers’ hand-strapping feature.
– Valve is confident in the Frame’s wireless streaming adapter, which performed well in demos, and it uses camera-based tracking instead of lighthouse base stations.
– The Steam Frame is scheduled to launch in early 2026 at a price lower than the $999 Valve Index.
Valve has officially ceased production of its Valve Index virtual reality headset, marking the end of an era for the high-end PC-tethered device. This move coincides with the company’s announcement of its next-generation hardware, the Steam Frame, which embraces modern standalone and wireless capabilities. The shift away from manufacturing the Index signals a clear strategic pivot toward more accessible, cord-free VR experiences.
Originally launched in 2019, the Valve Index earned praise for its impressive visual quality and innovative “Knuckles” controllers, which could be strapped directly to the user’s hands. However, its requirement for a physical connection to a gaming PC and reliance on external “lighthouse” tracking base stations placed it at a disadvantage as the market evolved. With a price tag of $999, it was positioned as a premium option, but consumer preference has since swung decisively toward all-in-one headsets that operate independently.
Competitors like Meta have sold tens of millions of Quest devices, which function without a PC and track movement using built-in sensors. More recently, products such as the Apple Vision Pro and Samsung’s Galaxy XR have reinforced the appeal of the standalone form factor. Valve’s new Steam Frame aligns with this trend, offering both wireless PC game streaming via a dedicated adapter and the ability to run Windows games locally using an integrated Arm chip.
While not a direct successor, the Frame introduces notable upgrades over the Index. For instance, the Index featured LCD displays with a per-eye resolution of 1440 x 1600, while the Frame boosts that to 2160 x 2160 per eye. Users who appreciated the Knuckles controllers will be able to purchase optional straps for the Frame’s controllers, replicating the secure, glove-like fit. Valve has expressed strong confidence in its 6GHz wireless streaming technology, which performed flawlessly in early demonstrations, effectively eliminating the need for a physical tether.
This transition also appears to spell the end for Valve’s lighthouse tracking system, which debuted back in 2016 with the HTC Vive. The company has confirmed it is not developing lighthouse support for the Steam Frame. Instead, the new headset relies on four monochrome cameras and infrared illuminators to map its environment in three dimensions. A modular accessory port leaves open the possibility for adding extra sensors in the future.
The Steam Frame is scheduled to launch in early 2026. While an exact price has not been disclosed, Valve has indicated it will be more affordable than the $999 Index, potentially broadening its appeal in a competitive marketplace.
(Source: The Verge)
