Just a few days before Christmas, Valve announced that they had stopped production of Steam tires LCD model, which was the cheapest version of the popular gaming handheld. Valve's Steam Deck announcement resulted in its handheld becoming indirectly more expensive, as the more expensive OLED models are the only ones now available for users to purchase.
Originally launched in February 2022, the Steam deck allows users to play games directly from their Steam library on the go. The Steam Deck launched for $399, with models available with a 1280×800 screen. The cheaper LCD models give Steam customers an affordable entry into PC gaming, while the higher-end OLED versions of the Steam Deck come with improved refresh rates, improved Wi-Fi capabilities and a higher-capacity battery. Although the Steam Deck has since faced stiff competition from the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally X and Nintendo Switch 2 in the handheld market throughout 2025, Valve's portable gamepad remains a popular gadget for PC enthusiasts and casual gamers alike.
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Steam Deck LCD's demise comes at a bad time
With the 2025 Steam Winter Sale running until January 5th, some shoppers looking to pick up a new handheld 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 stated that once the 256GB LCD model has sold out, it would no longer be made available as a new product. As a result, the cheapest Steam Deck model now available through Valve is the 512GB OLED version, starting at $549. This marks a $150 price difference between the 512GB OLED and the now-retired 256GB LCD Steam decks, with the latter priced at $399 before its phase-out.
Just weeks before Valve's announcement, the Steam Deck 256GB LCD model was discounted to $319.20, a difference of nearly $80 off its MSRP. Considering the LCD version of the Steam Deck was over $100 cheaper than the Switch 2 thanks to this discount, it proved to be a popular holiday shopping choice for users looking to get an affordable gaming handheld. However, Valve's decision to phase out the 256GB LCD Steam Deck came at a tumultuous time for the gaming and tech industry.
In the fall of 2025, the price of DRAM kits has skyrocketed due to the rise of AI-based data centers from companies like OpenAI that require DRAM and other components to function. Ergo, companies like Micron have chosen to leave the consumer market and focus their production of DRAM solely for enterprise-level customers and businesses. With Samsung and SK Hynix also facing shortages, DDR5 RAM prices have quadrupled since September, with 2x16GB DDR5 RAM kits jumping from $90 in September to nearly $360 before Christmas.
Steam's plans go into 2026
The ongoing RAM shortage has had an effect on Valve's plans going into 2026. Although Valve unveiled the Steam Machine, a cube-shaped PC that can play Steam titles and run any operating system users install on it, the company did not specify when it would arrive or how much it would cost. While Valve later confirmed that the Steam Machine would not be subsidized, this did little to ease the concerns of potential buyers. Thankfully, alternatives to the Steam Machine, including the Steam Deck and budget-friendly PC builds, are available options for consumers looking for a new gaming machine heading into 2026.
Along with the uncertainty of the Steam Machine's price and release date, rumors of a potential successor to the Steam Deck continued to make the rounds on social media. While details on the next Steam Deck iteration are still elusive, time will tell what Valve's plans are for 2026 and beyond.
Source: Valve
