Valve Set to Unveil Steam Frame VR Headset and New Controller This Week

How We Evaluate Rumors

0-20%: Unlikely – Lacks credible sources 21-40%: Questionable – Some concerns remain 41-60%: Plausible – Reasonable evidence 61-80%: Probable – Strong evidence 81-100%: Highly Likely – Multiple reliable sources

Rumor Assessment 90%

Status: Highly Likely

Source: 5/5

Corroboration: 3/5

Technical: 5/5

Timeline: 5/5

Exciting rumors are circulating regarding new hardware from Valve, potentially unveiling the eagerly awaited Steam Frame VR headset alongside a redesigned Steam Controller. These announcements may happen as soon as Wednesday, November 12, and could be linked to the much-discussed HLX project, widely speculated to be Half-Life 3.

The source of this buzz is Brad Lynch, a reputable insider known for accurate Valve hardware leaks. Lynch disclosed on Discord, as shared in the Gaming Leaks subreddit, that exciting hardware announcements are imminent. Pre-orders for the Steam Frame are anticipated to commence shortly after the official announcement, providing Valve ample opportunity to delineate the headset’s innovative technical features.

Steam Frame: A Genuine Leap Forward

The new Valve headset, previously dubbed “Deckard, ”is poised to be the centerpiece of these forthcoming announcements. If the rumored specifications are accurate, the Steam Frame will represent a significant enhancement over the Index headset and signal a transformative shift in the company’s approach to virtual reality.

Leak details indicate that the Steam Frame will include a feature known as “Frames, ”which allows users to engage with applications through interactive, floating windows—somewhat akin to the immersive operating system of Apple Vision Pro. Here are the anticipated technical specifications for the device:

Rumored Technical Specifications (Based on Proof of Concept)
CPU: Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650)
Display: 2160×2160 @ 120 Hz panel from JDI
Features: SLAM tracking, eye tracking

The Upcoming Steam Controller and Capsense Technology

In addition to the headset, a new Steam Controller is expected to be announced. Although a visual representation has yet to be released (Lynch shared an AI-generated mockup for confidentiality), the controller is rumored to feature a capsense technology similar to that of the Index controllers, albeit without comprehensive finger tracking.

The capsense feature will allow the controller to sense the distance of the user’s hands from the grips, creating opportunities for enhanced comfort and immersion. This design choice is intended to keep the controller affordable while still maintaining a quality experience.

The new Steam Controller will look like this when it launches. I’m told it can also detect how far your hands are from the handles using a simple capsense feature. Similar to the Index controllers, but not full finger tracking in the grips pic.twitter.com/loIqpJb0YZ

— Brad Lynch (@SadlyItsBradley) November 9, 2025

Half-Life 3: The Potential Game-Changer

Whether or not Valve’s new hardware interests you, the implications of this week’s rumored announcements are profound, particularly concerning software releases.

The HLX project, speculated to be the next installment in the Half-Life series, is reported to be nearing completion. The revelation of the Steam Frame could coincide with the announcement of this long-awaited title. Just as Valve effectively tied the Index launch to Half-Life: Alyx, this event could mark a pivotal moment for fans, transforming the hardware announcement into Valve’s most significant reveal since 2019. This Wednesday’s event is a must-watch for enthusiasts eager for news from the iconic gaming company.

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