Valve Retires The Cheapest Steam Deck

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Shortly before Christmas, Valve stopped making the original LCD version of the Steam Deck, which was the most affordable option. This means the Steam Deck is now more expensive overall, as only the higher-priced OLED models are currently for sale.

The Steam Deck, first released in February 2022, lets you play your Steam games on the go. It originally cost $399 and featured a 1280×800 screen. While less expensive LCD versions offer a budget-friendly way to enjoy PC gaming, the newer OLED models boast faster refresh rates, better Wi-Fi, and longer battery life. Even with competition from devices like the ASUS ROG Ally and the Nintendo Switch 2 in 2025, the Steam Deck remains a favorite among both dedicated PC gamers and those who just enjoy casual play.

The Demise of the Steam Deck LCD Comes at a Bad Time

The Steam Winter Sale is happening now through January 5th, but shoppers looking for an affordable Steam Deck have fewer choices. Valve has stopped making the 256GB LCD model, and it’s now sold out in the US. This means the least expensive Steam Deck you can buy directly from Valve is now the 512GB OLED version, which costs $549 – $150 more than the discontinued 256GB LCD model, which used to sell for $399.

Shortly before Valve revealed plans for a new model, the 256GB Steam Deck with the LCD screen was on sale for $319.20 – almost $80 cheaper than its usual price. This made it a very attractive option for shoppers wanting a budget-friendly handheld gaming device, especially since it was over $100 less expensive than the Switch 2. However, Valve decided to stop selling this version at a difficult time for both the gaming and technology worlds.

Starting in the fall of 2025, the cost of DRAM computer memory sharply increased. This was mainly because companies building artificial intelligence data centers – like OpenAI – needed large amounts of DRAM. As a result, companies like Micron decided to stop selling to everyday consumers and instead focus on supplying DRAM to large businesses and organizations. With Samsung and SK Hynix also experiencing supply problems, the price of DDR5 RAM has increased four times over since September. For example, a 2x16GB kit of DDR5 RAM went from around $90 in September to almost $360 by Christmas.

Steam’s Plans Going Into 2026

The current shortage of RAM is impacting Valve’s plans for the future. They recently showed off the Steam Machine – a small, cube-shaped PC capable of playing Steam games and running any operating system – but haven’t announced a release date or price. While Valve clarified they won’t be offering the Steam Machine at a discounted price, many people remain concerned. Luckily, gamers have other options, like the Steam Deck and building their own affordable PCs, if they’re looking for a new gaming experience in the coming years.

Adding to the questions about how much the Steam Machine will cost and when it will be available, people online were also talking about a possible new version of the Steam Deck. While we don’t know much about the next Steam Deck yet, we’ll likely find out what Valve has planned for 2026 and the years after that as time goes on.

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2025-12-21 00:39