Valve emphasizes that the Steam Frame is not simply a continuation of the Valve Index. The new headset can run games on its built-in hardware and is even capable of handling standard, non‑VR titles.
Valve engineer Jeremy Selan said the Steam Frame is an entirely new product, which is why it carries a different name.
This is a new design. We renamed it from Valve Index to Steam Frame because we wanted to create something fundamentally different. We’re trying to blur the line between your game library and the device that runs it. I don’t want to prescribe in advance how people should use it.
The main distinction between the Steam Frame and the Index is the presence of onboard hardware that can run games on its own. The Index, by comparison, was an accessory intended for PC owners.
The Steam Frame is built to make VR more accessible. Where using the Index once required configuring the entire setup, now you just put the headset on and are immediately offered games to play.
Valve also confirmed it does not plan to develop a proprietary showcase title to highlight the Steam Frame’s abilities, which departs from its usual approach (for example, Aperture Desk Job for the Steam Deck or Half-Life: Alyx for the Index).
Source: iXBT.games