Key Takeaways
1. Valve’s upcoming VR headset, Deckard, is seen as the successor to the Valve Index and may launch at a price of $1,200, up from the Index’s $999.
2. Deckard is being developed on an ARM codebase, featuring a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which could improve performance and efficiency by 25% compared to the Snapdragon XR Gen 2.
3. The prototype includes JDI-derived LCD screens with a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 2,160 x 2,160 pixels per eye.
4. Deckard reportedly supports tracking for controllers, the headset, and facial movements, but specifications are not finalized and may change in later prototypes.
5. Valve is expected to unveil Deckard by the end of this year, with the current prototype being the final proof-of-concept before moving to engineering validation testing.
Brad Lynch has uncovered some new info about the ongoing progress of Valve’s upcoming virtual reality (VR) headset. Up until now, Deckard has been seen as the long-anticipated follow-up to the Valve Index, which launched almost six months ago. A recent speculation suggested that Valve is aiming for a launch price of $1,200, which is an increase from the Index’s initial $999 MSRP.
Development Insights
Recent changes in the code indicate that Valve is building Deckard on an ARM codebase. In particular, a proof-of-concept (POC-F) prototype features a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 (SM8650) chipset that is found in the latest flagship smartphones, such as the OnePlus 12, Xperia 1 VI, and Galaxy S24 Ultra. As noted by UploadVR, the Adreno 750 within the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 could potentially give this Deckard prototype about 25% improved performance and efficiency compared to the Snapdragon XR Gen 2, which powers the Pico 4 Ultra, Quest 3, and Quest 3S (currently priced at $299 on Amazon).
Technical Specifications
This prototype is reported to utilize JDI-derived LCD screens that offer a refresh rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 2,160 x 2,160 pixels for each eye over a 2.8-inch display. Additionally, it seems to support tracking for controllers, the headset, and facial movements. Lynch emphasizes that the specifications linked to POC-F are not final.
As a result, later prototypes and retail versions are likely to feature newer or more advanced components. That said, POC-F appears to have been the final proof-of-concept before Valve transitioned to engineering validation testing (EVT). If this holds true, it wouldn’t surprise us if future prototypes eventually come with similar hardware features instead of a leap to a much more powerful chipset or entirely different lenses that would necessitate a complete redesign. At present, Valve is anticipated to unveil Deckard by the end of this year.
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