Just a few days before Christmas, Valve announced that it had ceased production Steam Deck LCD model, which was the cheapest version of the popular gaming handheld. Valve's Steam Deck announcement has made its handheld indirectly more expensive, as the more expensive OLED models are the only ones users can buy now.
Originally launched in February 2022, Steam Deck allows users to play games directly from their Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck was launched for $399, with available models featuring a 1280 x 800 resolution display. The cheaper LCD models provide Steam customers with an affordable entry point to PC gaming, while the higher-end OLED versions of the Steam Deck come with improved refresh rates, improved Wi-Fi capabilities, and higher-capacity batteries. Although the Steam Deck has since faced stiff competition from the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and the Nintendo Switch 2 in the handheld market through 2025, Valve's portable gaming tablet remains a popular gadget for PC enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
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The demise of the Steam Deck LCD comes at a bad time
With the Steam Winter Sale 2025 running until January 5th, some shoppers looking to buy a new handheld for Christmas will have one less option to choose from. At the time of writing, the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model has been discontinued by Valve and has since sold out in the US. Valve said that once the 256GB LCD model sells out, it will no longer be available as a new product. As a result, the cheapest Steam Deck model now available through Valve is the 512GB OLED version, starting at $549. That means a $150 price difference between the 512GB OLED and the now-defunct 256GB LCD Steam Decks, with the latter priced at $399 before it was discontinued.
Just a few weeks before Valve's announcement, the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model was discounted to $319.20, a difference of almost $80 from its MSRP. With the LCD version of the Steam Deck being more than $100 cheaper than the Switch 2 thanks to this discount, it's proving to be a popular holiday shopping choice for users looking to get an affordable gaming handheld. However, Valve's decision to discontinue the 256GB LCD Steam Deck comes at a tumultuous time for the gaming and tech industry.
During the fall of 2025, the price of DRAM kits skyrocketed due to the rise of AI-based data centers from companies like OpenAI, which require DRAM and other components to function. Companies like Micron therefore decided to leave the consumer market and focus on manufacturing DRAM exclusively for enterprise-level customers and businesses. With Samsung and SK Hynix also facing shortages, DDR5 RAM prices have quadrupled since September, with 2x16GB DDR5 RAM kits jumping from $90 in September to nearly $360 before Christmas.
Steam's plans until 2026
The ongoing shortage of RAM has affected Valve's plans until 2026. Although Valve has revealed the Steam Machine, a cube-shaped computer that can play Steam titles and run any operating system users install, the company has not said when it will arrive or how much it will cost. While Valve later confirmed that the Steam Machine would not be subsidized, it did little to assuage the concerns of potential buyers. Fortunately, alternatives to the Steam Machine, including the Steam Deck and budget PC builds, are available options for consumers looking for a new gaming machine by 2026.
Along with the uncertainty surrounding the price and release date of the Steam Machine, rumors of a potential successor to the Steam Deck continued to surface on social media. While details on the next iteration of the Steam Deck remain elusive, time will tell what Valve's plans are for 2026 and beyond.
Source: Valve
