12% more autonomy without touching the hardware: the SteamOS 0.4.3 beta optimizes the consumption of the Steam Frame

Valve continues to refine the software of its devices. For this reason, today it has released the preliminary version of SteamOS 0.4.3 for the Steam Frame, available through the system’s testing channel. The update comes shortly after the device’s reservation period opened from 1,049 euros, just half a month ago.

The firm has focused mainly on polishing autonomy. According to records provided by the company, the software achieves up to 12% more autonomy both in local gaming sessions and in wireless transmission from the PC.

The brand optimizes the Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 and the 21.6 Wh battery

This reduction in energy consumption fully affects the Qualcomm Snapdragon 8 Gen 3 processor, which is responsible for giving life to the device. With a 21.6 Wh rechargeable battery located on the back strap to balance the weight, adjustment in frequency management improves autonomy considerably.

In any case, the brand already warns that the results may be variable. We imagine that the 12% that Valve promulgates has been achieved in a very specific environment that the company itself has not made known. Therefore, depending on the content being viewed and the selected refresh rate (remember that the viewer reaches up to 144 Hz), the final results will be more or less close to that figure.

Complete record of new features and fixes in SteamOS version 0.4.3

If you have the device or are going to receive it in the next few days, here are the changes and corrections included in this new update. Remember that you can install beta versions from Settings > System > System Update Channel.

General changes:

• Improved power efficiency and battery life in both streaming and local gaming, with improvements of up to 12%. Note: Results may vary depending on frame rate and content.
• An accessibility option has been added for users who wish to limit eye tracking to just one eye. VR Settings -> General -> Track dominant eye only. Requires activating the “Show advanced settings” option.
• Fixed an issue that prevented controller settings from loading for certain games, including Google Earth VR and Thumper.
• Improved focusing behavior when interacting with grip/resize handles.

Transmission:

• Additional improvements have been made to the reliability of VR streaming, including fixes for error 17. Note: On PC, you should also install SteamVR 2.18.2 or later to reduce error 17 connection issues. At the time of this release, SteamVR 2.18.2 is available in the SteamVR (beta) branch.
• Fixed Steam Frame wireless adapter connectivity issues affecting users in some countries.

Additionally, Steam mentions that this version of the operating system includes SteamVR 2.18.2.