Steam Frame looks much smaller than Valve Index in new comparison photo

A new comparison photo has given fans a clearer idea of how Valve’s upcoming Steam Frame headset compares with the older Valve Index, and the size difference looks bigger than expected.

The photo, shared on the Steam Frame subreddit, shows the Steam Frame placed beside the Valve Index. The Index is still Valve’s most recent released VR headset, but it comes from a very different era of VR hardware. It uses a wired PC connection and relies on external base stations for room tracking. The Steam Frame, by comparison, is designed as a standalone headset that does not need outside tracking hardware.

That makes the size difference more interesting. Standalone headsets often need to fit more hardware inside the device itself, yet the Steam Frame appears noticeably smaller than the Valve Index. It also looks cleaner and more compact in the side by side image.

Valve has already listed Steam Frame dimensions on its official product page. The headset measures 175mm x 95mm x 110mm, including the core module and facial interface. The exact Valve Index measurements were not listed in the reference, but the comparison photo makes the difference easy to see.

The smaller frame could help comfort, which is one of the biggest issues for VR headsets. A lighter looking and more compact design may make longer sessions easier, especially if the weight is balanced well. Early impressions around Steam Frame have also suggested that the headset feels more comfortable than some expected.

The comparison also shows how much VR hardware has changed since the Valve Index launched. The Index was built around a high end PC VR setup with wires, base stations, and more involved room preparation. Steam Frame appears to be moving in a more flexible direction, closer to modern standalone VR systems.

Valve has not yet announced the Steam Frame’s price or release date. That is now the biggest missing piece. Recent signs suggest the headset is getting closer, with more sightings, comparisons, and related development updates appearing online.

There have also been other recent Steam Frame developments. Unreal Engine 5.8 is expected to add experimental support for the headset, the device now has its own page on Qualcomm’s website, and earlier reports suggested Valve may offer a model without a power supply included.

For now, the new comparison photo gives fans a useful real world look at the headset’s size. Steam Frame is still not fully detailed, but it already looks like a major shift from Valve Index: smaller, simpler, and built for a more modern VR setup.