Valve has quietly ceased production of the last LCD model of Steam Deck, the 256GB version that was previously the entry point for anyone looking to buy a handheld PC gaming device. The Steam store listing for the device now simply states: “We are no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model. Once it sells out it will no longer be available.”
That model has been sold out in the United States for quite some time, and there are no plans to restock it, marking the final nail in the coffin for Valve’s original Steam Deck lineup, which released in 2022. All previous variants, including the 64GB and 512GB LCD devices, have already been removed from regular sale. You’re now left with just the OLED variants, with the 512GB version costing $549 and the 1TB version costing $649.
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Valve hasn’t given us any explanation as to why it decided to stop production. Observers believe this is due to strong demand for RAM and storage components, which have soared over the past year. These price increases have made it difficult for a cheap product like the Steam Deck to maintain operating margins.
People looking for the cheapest Steam Deck option will no longer have a choice under $400, as this move increases the starting price by $150, putting the handheld in competition with other entry-level devices like the ASUS ROG Ally Valve has promised that software upgrades for SteamOS will continue to come so that their systems are compatible with new titles and features.
The OLED variants have several distinct advantages, including a brighter screen with improved contrast, a 90Hz refresh rate, longer battery life, and faster Wi-Fi. For many others, Valve’s move is just a matter of downsizing their product portfolio to focus on the more expensive option, which is intended to better withstand price increases.
Unfortunately, the window of opportunity has now closed for anyone who missed out on the LCD model during the last Black Friday sale, when it was reduced to around $320. There may still be a few refurbished LCD units available on the Steam Store, but no promises. Handheld gaming has come a long way since the release of the Steam Deck, and this adaptation shows just how quickly the market is moving.
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