Valve has raised prices on all new Steam Deck OLED models just as the handheld gaming device returns to store shelves after months of shortages. The company confirmed that the lowest-priced 512GB OLED model now costs $789, up from its previous $549 tag. The premium 1TB OLED has jumped to $949 from $649. In an announcement on its Steam hardware page, Valve said these new prices reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry as a whole.
Refurbished LCD Steam Decks sold through Steam will not see a price increase, but refurbished OLED units are already listed above their original retail prices. The refurbished 512GB and 1TB OLEDs now carry price tags of $629 and $759, respectively. Shoppers willing to accept a slightly less premium experience can still pick up refurbished LCD models that were discontinued. The 64GB LCD retails for $279, the 256GB LCD sells for $319, and the 512GB LCD is priced at $359.
The Steam Deck has long been praised for delivering a premium handheld gaming experience at a reasonable cost. That value proposition has eroded with the latest price hikes, pushing the handheld into the same range as high-end competitors like the Xbox ROG Ally X, which is listed at $999.99. The increase comes at a time when console prices across the major platforms have also climbed, making this one of the few console generations where prices went up instead of down. For example, a standard PS5 now costs $100 to $150 more than it did when it launched in 2020, according to reports on PlayStation Plus subscription prices set to rise. This trend suggests buyers should carefully consider their options before purchasing new hardware.
Speculation is growing about Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine, a living-room PC that has yet to be priced. The company has not announced a release date or cost, leaving consumers to wonder how much the device will ultimately command. While some hoped the Steam Machine would undercut traditional gaming PCs, rising hardware costs, especially for RAM, could make that difficult. With the Steam Deck’s own price increase now in effect, expectations for the Steam Machine’s affordability have only tightened. The Steam Machine is expected to launch in the coming years, though Valve has not provided a specific release window or pricing details. The company appears to be delaying a final decision, but time is running short if it hopes to avoid further delays to the new hardware.
