HANDHELD NEWS – Valve has quietly moved on from the original Steam Deck, while fans continue to wait for the second-generation hardware.
For anyone hoping to jump into the Steam Deck ecosystem without paying for the OLED version, this is the exact opposite of a holiday miracle. Valve has confirmed that the LCD Steam Deck models are sold out and will not be manufactured again. A short notice appeared on Steam’s official page showcasing the various Steam Deck versions, stating that the 256 GB LCD model has been discontinued. Once remaining stock is gone, the model will no longer be available.
The message is still visible, and at least in the United States, the original LCD Steam Deck is already completely sold out. While it could not match the vivid colors and contrast of the OLED version, it was still a very solid handheld PC for its price point. This was especially true after Valve lowered its price a few months ago.
PC gaming is well known for its high barrier to entry, which made a handheld device priced under $400 with a custom interface and docking capabilities an unusually strong value proposition. This held true even when compared to traditional consoles, particularly as prices for the PlayStation 5, Xbox Series consoles, and the Nintendo Switch have all increased. It also seems increasingly likely that Nintendo will kick off 2026 with a price hike for the Nintendo Switch 2.
At the same time, the handheld market is becoming increasingly crowded, with new handheld PCs and gaming-focused Android devices appearing almost daily. Valve’s hardware ambitions extend beyond the Steam Deck, however, making it logical for the company to streamline its lineup and focus on its most premium offerings.
From a business perspective, the OLED Steam Deck allows Valve to apply a higher profit margin, as these models command higher prices. This shift suggests that the company’s long-term attention may already be turning toward the next generation of hardware.
The final unanswered question remains: when will Valve finally unveil the second-generation Steam Deck?
