Want a Steam Frame for the holidays? Bad news. Valve has confirmed that many reservation holders won't get their purchase email until 2027.
What Valve announced
In an October 9 update, Valve added expected order windows to Steam Frame reservations. Log into the Steam Frame product page and you'll see one of two windows: by December 2026 or sometime in 2027. The 2027 group gets a more detailed estimate by January — but January isn't a promised purchase month, just a better estimate.
Key detail: this is the window for your purchase email, not delivery. Once it arrives you have 72 hours to complete the order or lose your spot.
The queue system
Reservations opened September 14, a randomized draw ran September 17, and order emails started going out September 18. New buyers now join a waitlist at the back of the line — and waitlists only move after the reservation queue clears, per region. Nobody leapfrogs anybody.
The context
The $1,059 headset (Snapdragon 8 Gen 3, dual 2160x2160 displays, 6GHz wireless adapter, SteamOS) sold through its initial allocation despite the premium price — only around 19,000 reservations succeeded in the draw. Scalpers are already listing reservations on eBay for up to $2,000, which Valve's terms explicitly prohibit.
KongMNG's take
Steam Deck launch all over again — massive demand, constrained supply, long waits. If you're in the 2027 camp, settle in.