Valve has started showing Steam Frame reservation holders whether they should expect an order email by December 2026 or sometime in 2027. According to GamingOnLinux, the change went live in an update reported on October 10, 2026, alongside the release of the headset's CAD files for non-commercial use. People who are told 2027 will get more information "by January," GamingOnLinux reports.
What Changed
The Steam Frame page now states a purchase window for each reservation: some holders are told to expect an email by December 2026, while others are told 2027. Valve gave no new information for people on the waitlist, who may receive a reservation if someone else declines to buy theirs, GamingOnLinux says.
The same update released the Steam Frame CAD files. Valve permits them for non-commercial use, and anyone wanting commercial use has to contact Valve directly.
How the Reservation System Works
VR.org's summary of Valve's process describes the timeline this way:
- September 14: reservation sign-ups opened on Steam.
- September 17: sign-ups closed. Valve ran a one-time randomization of each list, with separate lists by model and by region (North America, the UK and EU, and Australia).
- From September 18: purchase emails began going out in waves. A reservation holder has 72 hours to check out, or the unit goes to someone else.
- After September 17: later sign-ups join the back of the waitlist, which has no date.
VR.org lists two models: a 256GB kit at $1,059 and a 1TB kit at $1,299, both including controllers, the wireless adapter and Half-Life: Alyx. The 45W power supply is sold separately for $29. It also says the account must have made a Steam purchase before April 27, 2026, that Valve allows one unit per household, and that your model choice is locked once the randomization runs. These details come from VR.org rather than from Valve's own page, so check Steam before you act on them.
Why the Wait
Valve warned in February that memory and storage shortages across the industry had grown after the Steam hardware was announced in November 2025, which forced it to reassess shipping and pricing, according to GoSuGamers' report on Valve's Steam hardware FAQ. Our own coverage of GPU prices still above MSRP shows how the same pressure is hitting graphics cards.
What to Do Next
- Check your reservation page. Look for the new December 2026 or 2027 label on Steam, and watch the email address on your Steam account for a purchase message.
- Do not miss the 72-hour window. A missed purchase email releases the unit to another person.
- Plan around the price. If the headset is part of a wider setup upgrade, our Best Gaming Hardware in 2026 guide shows where each category fits.
Sources: GamingOnLinux — Steam Frame CAD files released, plus an update on reservation waiting times, VR.org — Steam Frame release date, GoSuGamers — Valve delays announcement of Steam hardware launch due to hardware supply constraints
