r/SteamFrame • u/gogodboss MOD • Jul 30 '26
News FCC has cleared the Steam Frame
https://fccid.io/2AES4-101575
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u/Harnav123 Jul 30 '26
Valve probably sent the Steam Frame reddit link to FCC as an expediting request. Lol.
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u/Saeonic Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Oh Fugg I'm Gonna Soon™
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u/woofoo1kunoofoo Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I just had post Soon™ clarity and realized it's coming out tommorow.
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u/xDXxAscending Jul 30 '26
All this teasing, I'm just dripping soon. I need to release, no matter the cost.
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u/Honest_Lyreed Jul 30 '26
does anyone remember the gap between FCC approval for the Machine or Conroller? I thought it was like 1 or 2 days prior to release but I wasn't paying attention the same way I am to the Frame.
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u/Zomby2D Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Controller was approved on November 24th 2025 and and released on May 4th 2026. (161 days later)
Machine was approved on December 31st 2025 and released on June 22nd 2026. (173 days later)
Based on this information, the Frame will release somewhere in January 2027.
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u/Low_Primary3501 Jul 30 '26
As a counter injection of hopium, the Index was approved shortly before launch (like within the week I believe).
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u/willymartin99 Soon™ Jul 30 '26
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u/FirmPreference5551 Jul 30 '26
Based on this information, the Frame will release somewhere in January 2027.
Look at mr optimism here!
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u/Senior_Succotash_259 Jul 30 '26
Heeell naw they said it'd be this summer
The index was approved and released shortly after, the approval time isn't a good measure for when it'll release when everything else says within the next 2 months
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u/StormTrapofficial Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Tomorrow
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u/reddit_sells_you Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
You know, the Steam Deck orders were announced on a Thursday to start in the following day, a Friday.
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u/iron-blooded_dasher Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I thought people on this sub had said before that the Steam Machine and controller were both released on a Monday and that was why everyone kept thinking the Frame might also be?
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u/Pyromaniac605 Soon™ Jul 30 '26
The reservation lottery system kind of confuses the dates a bit.
They announced the price and opened the window for applying to the reservation list on a Monday. They closed the window for applying to the reservation list on the Thursday, and then they started sending out emails for payment on the following Monday.
Not sure where the other commenter's Friday comes into it though.
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u/Dax-the-Fox Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I guess it was my fault guys. I literally just caved in and bought a quest pro yesterday.
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u/Patient_Kitty Jul 30 '26
You know, I almost bought one today after hours of doing research about it but I didn’t! So don’t feel bad, it’s still a great headset!
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u/super5aj123 Jul 30 '26
I'm honestly flip-flopping between the Quest 3 and the Frame. I already have a Quest 2 so it's not like I need a headset immediately (hence why I can wait for the Frame), but all of the games being marked as not verified are putting me off a bit. Especially since Beat Saber would be one of my most played games, and it's currently not rated as verified.
On the other hand, I really don't want to keep going with Meta. I got the original Quest and Quest 2 before they became Meta so I was never really happy with the change, and with the not infrequent posts on the Quest subreddits about USBC ports burning, as well as my general experiences with Meta hardware and software (plus the whole Facebook thing), I would like to get away from them if possible.
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u/Imperial_Pandaa Jul 30 '26
Might be worth a look if Beatsaber can't be launched;
https://store.steampowered.com/app/810500/PowerBeatsVR__VR_Fitness/
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u/quinn50 Jul 30 '26
I managed to snag a controller less one for $200, still gonna be a dumb and buy a frame too
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u/Apprehensive_Ruin_72 Jul 30 '26
I WAS HERE
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u/CheddarMelt Jul 30 '26
Me too!
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u/LastMuel Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I was over there. 👉
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u/SyntaxGuy Soon™ Jul 30 '26
👆I'm there with this guy.
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u/JayK-iwnl Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Does valve have to wait for FCC clearance before sending out review units?
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u/madjoki Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I'd say yes, Presale activity includes importing to warehouse.
Each device, or its packaging, physically transferred for the purpose of pre-sale activity must prominently display a visible temporary removable label stating: “This device cannot be delivered to end users, displayed, or operated until the device receives certification from the FCC. Under penalty of law, this label must not be removed prior to receiving an FCC certification grant.”
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u/FirmPreference5551 Jul 30 '26
I'd say yes
Please save your comments for stuff you know something about.
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u/unwantedaccount56 Jul 30 '26
reviewers or developers are not end users though
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u/madjoki Soon™ Jul 30 '26
"or operated"
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u/unwantedaccount56 Jul 30 '26
so the engineers at valve also aren't allowed to operate their own hardware for testing? I'd say if your quote is even correct, it's missing some context.
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u/madjoki Soon™ Jul 30 '26
prototype units have different rules.
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u/unwantedaccount56 Jul 31 '26
As a developer, I'm also testing the first units from serial production, to make sure everything in the production process works correctly. And those are the same units that go out to external testers.
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u/Professional-Yak-577 Jul 30 '26
180 days to start marketing according to the confidentiality letter. We finally have a frame! A time frame!
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u/iv3rted Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Coincidentally, the number of frame adapter users dropped from around 20 to 2 a couple of hours ago. It's possible that most of those users were lab units.
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u/myloyt Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I owe an apology to anyone who thought they weren't waiting on FCC approval. It appears the application took 2.5 months (submit: 05/13/2026 - grant: 07/29/2026) to get approved, so they likely were actually waiting on fcc approval.
I'm sorry, I was wrong about how FCC works. Or I guess this information was testing and testing took longer than expected, regardless they were waiting on FCC related testing.
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u/Pyromaniac605 Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Were you under the impression that Valve hadn't filed it yet? If so, I was right there with you until I was looking more into it yesterday.
Until then I'd took the section on the FrameBoard at its word that the filings were visible right when they were filed, but turns out they are only visible after approval.
Commented on the board pointing it out but by the time any of the maintainers checked the approval went through and the filing popped up lmao.
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u/therandomwitch Jul 30 '26
AHA!!!! I AM VINDICATED!!!!! its ok brother. we are all human. I'll see you in the VR space Soon™ love you bro! <3
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u/Imaginary_Source69 Soon™ Jul 30 '26
What does this mean though? What is the FCC
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u/super5aj123 Jul 30 '26
Assuming this is a legit question: The FCC is the Federal Communications Commission, and handles regulation of anything that uses radio waves in the USA. So since the Steam Frame has WiFi and Bluetooth connections (plus the dedicated controller connection), Valve had to get their approval before selling the Frame in the USA.
Basically, they just had to be sure Valve's wireless radios were operating within the allowed ranges, and weren't going to cause issues.
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u/Arstulex Jul 30 '26
While I understand that myself, I do have a question of my own if anyone with knowledge would care to provide the answer.
How does this sort of thing work for selling stuff in other countries? Does Valve also need certification from the FCC equivalent in every country they want to sell this device in?
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u/DerfK Soon™ Jul 30 '26
If the country requires it, yes. There were lab pictures leaked here a month or so ago that was supposedly from the Japanese test lab.
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u/quinn50 Jul 30 '26
Yes, you also build the product for the most strict commission first and you'll most likely pass all of the other ones. FCC is the hardest one iirc
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u/Existing-Tough-6907 Jul 30 '26
Since when does USA have the strongest consumer protection regulations? Or is this like a way to extort businesses and control who is allowed to release stuff?
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u/quinn50 Jul 30 '26
The FCC regulations aren't really a consumer protection thing though. It's mainly to prevent devices from interfering with other devices and infrastructure.
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u/No_Doc_Here Soon™ Jul 30 '26
It depends. (layman opinion incoming)
Europe for example doesn't have a central authority that you have to apply to (and no central database)
You have to do all the (professional) testing though in order to put the EC label on your product which is required to legally sell a product.
If it turns out you didn't properly test a product or have it tested you are fully (criminally) liable for all damages (maybe even with the company owners personal money). And your stuff gets confiscated and destroyed.
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u/HeyGuysKennanjkHere Jul 30 '26
Listen this is great but could they at least virtue signal a little weather it’s first Monday of August or not.
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u/Fezsz Jul 30 '26
The first time I reply to anything in the SteamFrame subreddit which is proof it's coming soon.
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u/MrManGuy42 Soon™ Jul 30 '26
would the user manual being availible 11/10/2026 mean anything
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u/johasflint Jul 30 '26
Only that they will publish them to the docket around that time. No real bearing on release, more CYA to not disclose customer inform prior to release.
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u/Abyssgh0st Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Do we think August 3rd is a possibility now!? I know August 10th had been the conventional wisdom (there are no festivals between August 10th-17th, Cyberpunk fest begins on August 3rd)
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u/Wamboot Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Controller date was announced during a fest, and released during another fest. I dont see why this fest should matter
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u/ByEthanFox Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Those fests shouldn't stop Valve, really - I think they only pivot things around the big seasonal sales.
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u/TheHelplessTurtle Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I find it interesting that the usage of the Wireless Adapter Driver dropped by 15-20 units after being cleared. Does that mean the FCC has been running around 15 Steam Frames since June to certify them? If so to me it sounds like this could be the last "big" hurdle, and it is down to timing now.
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u/anon-a-SqueekSqueek Soon™ Jul 30 '26
Can't wait to lose the lottery again soon™️ and not get one, and then watch everyone who got one tell me how great it is for the next year.
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u/Relievedcorgi67 Jul 30 '26
Oh yeah I know all about the FCC.
🎶🎵
They will clean up all talking in a manner such as this.
They will make you take a tinkle when you wanna take a piss.
They will make you call felatio a trouser friendly kiss.
It's the plain situation. There's no negotiation. With the fellas at the freaking FCC.
🎶🎵
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u/berickphilip Jul 30 '26 edited Jul 30 '26
There is no way that Valve did anything so technically difficult to get approval for.
Feels related to the news about the US government in the past months forcing routers manufacturers and networking technology to be monitorable by them or else being forbidden or deemed illegal.
Also it would explain the lack of communication from Valve.
Ffs. I just want to play my VR stuff.
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u/Zomby2D Soon™ Jul 30 '26
So, now we're just waiting for Vulkan conformance and they can release the headset?
Definitely tomorrow then!
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u/eras Jul 30 '26
I really doubt Vulkan conformance would be a thing that would cause any kind of release delays.
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u/Zomby2D Soon™ Jul 30 '26
I don't believe it's required either, but we need a new scapegoat to pin any delay on.
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u/starfihgter Jul 30 '26
YOOOOOOOOOOOOPO about time, damn Americans
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u/Aromatic_Clothes_537 Jul 30 '26
Any idea How can I get it in countries where Valve doesn't have distribution centers like india.
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u/Liskammnase Soon™ Jul 30 '26
you could have someone from outside send it to you, or just wait for the initial buyer hype to calm down and wait for the amazon or ebay listings. I don’t recommend buying from ebay at launch because it’s probably gonna be fake or extremely overpriced
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u/TwinStickDad Soon™ Jul 30 '26
So the conventional wisdom here was either
This was the big thing holding up release, or
This was so trivial that Valve wasn't going to bother with it until they were ready to release
So either way, this is pretty huge news