Valve has released the SteamOS 0.3.0 update for the Steam Frame headset, marking the first system improvement since the device's launch on September 14. The primary focus of this release is significantly faster charging speeds for the unit when it is powered off or in sleep mode.
Testing indicates that charging performance has improved notably. Previously, a depleted unit charged at approximately 8 W, peaking at 27 W. Following the update, the device starts at 19 to 21 W and can reach up to 42 W even while a game is actively running. Valve advises using a USB-C charger rated at 45 W or higher, which is sold separately from the $1,059 headset.
The update also addresses several functional issues, including improved controller tracking during haptic feedback and enhanced system stability under heavy workloads. A bug causing garbled microphone audio has been resolved, and the Motion Smoothing 'Force Always-On' setting now functions as intended.
For developers, the patch introduces Vulkan layer fixes and optimizations for Mesa graphics performance. Additionally, the criteria for 'Playable' status have been updated to support any resolution, removing the previous 1440p requirement. While the update is available to all users, shipping for customers in the US and Europe began on September 18.
