Valve has made a big change to the Steam Deck lineup, in what could be bad news for budget-conscious consumers looking to get their hands on the handheld gaming PC this holiday season.
According to a change on the official Steam Deck page on Valve’s website, first spotted by Engadget, the company is discontinuing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB. This model, which currently retails at $399, is the cheapest Steam Deck currently available.
“We are no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model. Once sold out, it will no longer be available,” reads the website update.
All remaining copies appear to be sold out on Valve’s website, at least in the US, at the time of writing, though some still seem to be available in other major markets like the UK and Australia. In addition, there may be copies still available via third-party retailers, or via the secondhand market. This means gamers will need to stump up an additional $150 for the $549 512GB OLED Steam Deck, or $649 for the 1TB OLED version. Valve has not officially announced the move, or why it chose to axe the model.
Though the other models may cost more, you’ll also be getting a slightly larger screen, between one and four hours more battery life, as well as a higher-resolution display and faster Wi-Fi. And if $549 for the 512GB OLED Steam Deck is simply more than what you’re willing to spend on a handheld console, check out PCMag’s guide to the best handheld gaming PCs.
Recommended by Our Editors
Valve’s catalogue of hardware devices is still bigger and better than ever. Last month, Valve revived the 5.7-pound Steam Machine, a gaming-focused mini PC that boasts “over six times the horsepower” of the handheld Steam Deck—meaning better frame rates and graphics. Like the Steam Deck, it runs Linux-based SteamOS, optimized to run video games rather than for general use. In addition, Valve also announced the Steam Frame, a new VR headset, last month. It is currently set for an early 2026 release, and promises a fully wireless VR PC gaming experience.
Get Our Best Stories!
Your Daily Dose of Our Top Tech News
By clicking Sign Me Up, you confirm you are 16+ and agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy
Policy.
Thanks for signing up!
Your subscription has been confirmed. Keep an eye on your inbox!
About Our Expert
Experience
I’m a reporter covering weekend news. Before joining PCMag in 2024, I picked up bylines in BBC News, The Guardian, The Times of London, The Daily Beast, Vice, Slate, Fast Company, The Evening Standard, The i, TechRadar, and Decrypt Media.
I’ve been a PC gamer since you had to install games from multiple CD-ROMs by hand. As a reporter, I’m passionate about the intersection of tech and human lives. I’ve covered everything from crypto scandals to the art world, as well as conspiracy theories, UK politics, and Russia and foreign affairs.
Read Full Bio
