A proof of concept model for Valve’s upcoming Deckard headset featured 2K LCD screens and a Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, although these specifications may not reflect the final product.
For the last four years, Valve has consistently confirmed its ongoing development of a new headset, leaning towards an emphasis on wireless streaming capabilities from PC. A job listing indicated that the headset would incorporate features like inside-out tracking, camera passthrough, environmental awareness, eye tracking, and hand tracking. During this period, numerous mentions of a Valve headset known as “Deckard” have been unearthed in the SteamVR code by a datamining group on Discord led by VR enthusiast Brad Lynch.
Recently, Lynch’s team has stumbled upon references to seven pre-production Deckard models in SteamVR’s code: POC-A, POC-C, Mini-D, POC-E, POC-F, EV1, and EV2. The acronym POC stands for proof of concept, while EV signifies engineering validation, leaving the meaning of Mini-D unclear.
The Deckard POC-A and POC-C models were first identified in SteamVR’s code nearly four years ago, while Mini-D appeared three years ago and EV2 was spotted just weeks ago. This timeline illustrates Valve’s transition from initial prototypes to nearly completed hardware. More intriguingly, Lynch’s group has also encountered code that discloses the exact display panels, tracking cameras, and Qualcomm chip utilized in Deckard POC-F.
The Deckard POC-F was equipped with dual 2160×2160 LCD panels offering a 120Hz refresh rate, four world-facing tracking cameras, and two internal eye tracking cameras, thanks to these revelations.
This resolution is comparable to Meta Quest 3’s 2064×2208 and significantly lower than the Apple Vision Pro’s 3660×3200, lacking the contrast and richness provided by Vision Pro’s micro-OLED technology.
Regarding the tracking cameras, this configuration resembles that of PlayStation VR2 or Quest Pro. These findings emerged four months subsequent to the discovery of 3D models of Deckard’s “Roy” controllers within SteamVR files, suggesting a tracking method akin to that used by Quest 3’s Touch Plus controllers.
Perhaps even more compelling is the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 chipset, which possesses a newer GPU than the XR2 Gen 2 employed in the Quest 3, Quest 3S, and Pico 4 Ultra. This newer chipset boasts 25% faster performance and enhanced efficiency by the same margin. While Deckard is expected to optimize the power of your gaming PC for superior VR experiences, the upgraded GPU might also enable slightly improved graphics in a standalone mode.
However, it’s crucial to reiterate that the specifications of a proof of concept model do not necessarily indicate what the final retail version of the Deckard will feature. The POC-F could be an older prototype at this point, and the EV2 model may represent a distinctly different device altogether.
On the topic of the retail Deckard, a recent rumor from a Valve insider with a strong track record hints at a potential release later this year for $1200, and it’s speculated to include first-party games or demos.
We will diligently monitor the Valve datamining and leaking communities, alongside the company’s official updates, over the coming weeks and months for any additional insights regarding the features and specifications of what could be the most highly awaited headset in the industry.