Just before Christmas, Valve announced that it had halted production. steam deck This is the LCD model, the most affordable version of the popular gaming handheld. Valve's Steam Deck announcement indirectly made portables more expensive. That's because the only models users can currently buy are the more expensive OLED models.
First released in February 2022, Steam Deck allows users to play games directly from their Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck retails for $399 and comes with a model with a 1280×800 display. The cheaper LCD model gives Steam customers an affordable entry point into PC gaming, while the more advanced OLED version of Steam Deck offers increased refresh rates, improved Wi-Fi capabilities, and a higher capacity battery. Despite Steam Deck subsequently facing stiff competition from the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and Nintendo Switch 2 in the portable market throughout 2025, Valve's portable gaming tablet remains a popular device for PC enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
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The end of the Steam Deck LCD came at a bad time
With the 2025 Steam Winter Sale running through January 5, some shoppers looking to buy a new handheld device for Christmas will have one less option to choose from. As of this writing, the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model has been discontinued by Valve and has since sold out in the US. Valve has stated 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 currently available through Valve is the 512GB OLED version, which starts at $549. That's a $150 price difference between the 512GB OLED and the now-discontinued 256GB LCD Steam deck, with the latter costing $399 before deprecation.
Just a few weeks before Valve's announcement, the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model was discounted to $319.20, almost $80 off MSRP. Considering that this discount makes the LCD version of the Steam Deck over $100 cheaper than the Switch 2, it's proven to be a popular holiday shopping choice for those looking for an affordable gaming handheld. But Valve's decision to discontinue the 256GB LCD Steam deck comes at a tumultuous time for the gaming and tech industries.
DRAM kit prices have skyrocketed with the emergence of AI-powered data centers from companies like OpenAI that require DRAM and other components to operate throughout the fall of 2025. Therefore, companies like Micron have decided to move away from the consumer market and focus on producing DRAM for enterprise-level customers and enterprises. DDR5 RAM prices have quadrupled since September, with Samsung and SK Hynix also facing shortages, with a 2x16GB DDR5 RAM kit skyrocketing from $90 in September to nearly $360 before Christmas.
Steam's plans until 2026
The ongoing RAM shortage has impacted Valve's plans heading into 2026. Valve has unveiled the Steam Machine, a cube-shaped PC that can play Steam titles and run any operating system you install, but the company hasn't revealed when it will be released or how much it will cost. Valve later confirmed that it would not be subsidizing Steam Machines, but this did little to alleviate the concerns of potential buyers. Fortunately, alternatives to the Steam Machine, including Steam Deck and budget-friendly PC builds, are available options for consumers looking for a new gaming console set to release in 2026.
Rumors about a potential successor to the Steam Deck have continued to swirl on social media, along with uncertainty about the Steam Machine's price and release date. Details about the next Steam Deck iteration may still be elusive, but time will tell us what Valve's plans are for 2026 and beyond.
Source: Valve
