Valve has released its Steam Frame virtual reality headset, priced at £889 for the 256GB model and £1,089 for the 1TB version, reigniting debate over whether VR hardware is becoming too expensive for mainstream adoption. A BBC reviewer with over a decade of VR experience praised the device's comfort and design, noting its lightweight build and rear-mounted battery pack, which avoids the front-heavy feel common to rival headsets, though its screen quality falls short of pricier competitors like the PlayStation VR2, Apple and Samsung devices.

The comparison with Meta's Quest 3, which launched in 2023 at £480 for a 128GB model, has fuelled concerns that VR prices are climbing rather than falling. Valve developer Jeremy Selan said the firm had hoped for a more affordable price but was constrained by rising global RAM costs, which more than doubled between October 2025 and early 2026, partly driven by demand from AI data centres. However, UploadVR editor David Heaney pushed back on the "too expensive" narrative, pointing out that Meta's budget Quest 3S costs less than rival games consoles such as the PS5 and Xbox Series S, and arguing the bigger barrier to VR adoption lies elsewhere.