Valve's Plano OLED Steam Frame Shows Higher Resolution in Code
Valve is developing an OLED refresh of its Steam Frame VR headset, codenamed 'Plano', with a native resolution of 3552×3840 per eye.
Valve is developing an OLED version of its Steam Frame VR headset under the codename 'Plano'. Evidence for the project comes from Valve's public Linux kernel source code, where a branch named 'deckard-plano' was discovered and analyzed.
Technical Specs and Performance Targets
The Plano model reportedly features Micro-OLED displays with a native resolution of 3552×3840 pixels per eye. This is a substantial increase over the 2160×2160 LCD panels in the current Steam Frame. To maintain performance with the same Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, the headset defaults to a lower rendering resolution of 1776×1920 per eye.
| Specification | Current Steam Frame (LCD) | Plano (OLED) |
|---|---|---|
| Panel Type | LCD | Micro-OLED |
| Native Resolution (per eye) | 2160 × 2160 | 3552 × 3840 |
| Default Rendering Resolution (per eye) | Not specified | 1776 × 1920 |
| Processor | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 |
Driver code indicates the higher native resolution is roughly three times the pixel count of the current model. The default resolution is a concession to the display bandwidth limitations of the Adreno 750 GPU inside the Snapdragon chip. The reported display specifications are identical to those used in the Samsung Galaxy XR headset. Steam Frame Hub said: "Valve could be using the same micro-OLED panels as Samsung's Galaxy XR, though that's speculation."
Refresh Rate and Foveated Scaling
Code lists support for a refresh rate of up to 90Hz. Valve engineers have also been experimenting with achieving 120Hz, but this remains a work in progress. The existing Steam Frame supports up to 144Hz in an experimental mode.
A key technological development mentioned in the code is foveated scaling. Unlike traditional foveated rendering, which adjusts graphical detail in games, this technique operates at the display controller level. It increases the effective pixel density in the area where the user is looking while reducing processing and bandwidth demands elsewhere. Valve has experimented with a higher-quality 1.5× mode that runs at 2368×2560 per eye, likely leveraging this technology.
Uncertain Timeline and Pricing
Work on the 'deckard-plano' code branch ran from March until early October 2026. It builds upon an earlier 'deckard-oled' branch, positioning Plano as a mid-generation refresh. Despite this progress, the project is described as very incomplete. Valve has not publicly confirmed the OLED model, and it may never become a product.
If it does launch, the headset is unlikely to arrive before late 2027. Pricing is uncertain, but a move to higher-resolution Micro-OLED displays could make it more expensive than the current model. The standard Steam Frame launched in September 2026 with pre-orders starting at $1,059 for the 256GB kit. Steam Frame Hub advises, "I wouldn't hold off on buying a Steam Frame for this."
The OLED Steam Frame may not arrive until late 2027 at the earliest.
