Valve has made a significant decision in the hardware realm by suspending the production of the most affordable model of the Steam Deck, which featured a 256 GB LCD screen. This action was taken quietly and is already reflected in the Steam store, where it has been indicated that the available units correspond to a final stock. Once they are sold out, this model will completely disappear from the company’s catalog.
There will only be the version with OLED screen
Valve’s immediate focus is now on the new OLED version of the Steam Deck, which is priced higher, starting at 569 euros for the 512 GB variant. This financial leap from the LCD model, which was offered at 419 euros, means that players looking for a more affordable option to enter Valve’s ecosystem will be immediately excluded.
Despite the price increase, the OLED model offers several notable improvements: a higher quality and larger screen, better connectivity, and a longer battery life. These improvements are especially relevant at a time when gaming hardware continues to face production challenges due to the semiconductor shortage.
However, many players hoped that Valve would consider more aggressive discounts to clear the remaining inventory of the LCD model, especially during the Steam Winter Sale, a period traditionally associated with deals on both games and hardware.
With the elimination of the LCD model, Valve seems to be planning its next significant move: the introduction of new Steam Machines, scheduled for 2026, as well as new models of Steam Deck in the future. However, a clear pricing strategy has not yet been defined, unlike the one used by Nintendo, leaving fans with questions about the future accessibility of Valve’s hardware.
