Steam Deck Prices See Significant Increase

If you’re eyeing a Steam Deck and haven’t snagged one yet, brace yourself for a hefty price jump on Valve’s portable PC. Recently, the company announced a significant price increase for the original Steam Deck, with costs rising by $240 to $300 depending on the model.

For the entry-level 512 GB OLED Steam Deck, the price has surged from $549 to $789. Meanwhile, the 1 TB version will now set you back from $649 to $949. The 256 GB LED Steam Deck, which has been out of stock for months due to RAM shortages, is no longer available for purchase.

Both of the current Steam Deck models are now listed at these new prices and are expected to ship within 3–5 business days. Additionally, Valve offers certified refurbished Steam Decks, with prices ranging from $279 to $759.

Valve joins the ranks of other gaming companies that have raised prices on their products. Sony, Nintendo, and Microsoft have all increased console prices in recent years, sometimes multiple times. To counterbalance these rising costs, publishers have implemented various strategies. For instance, Nintendo’s digital games are slightly cheaper than their physical versions, Xbox recently announced a reduction in the cost of its flagship subscription service, and Sony has been experimenting with dynamic pricing to offer discounts on games.

What sets Valve apart is its Steam platform, which has built a strong reputation among gamers. While the new prices are steep, PC games generally offer better deals, especially during seasonal sales. Valve also doesn’t charge for multiplayer access and lacks a subscription model for games. The Steam platform caters to a wide range of budgets, making it accessible for cost-conscious gamers. Unlike a PS5 or a potential Nintendo Switch 2, the Steam Deck serves as a supplementary device for a different ecosystem. However, Valve has demonstrated its ability to sell premium products, like the Steam Controller, when the quality meets expectations.

That said, the Steam Deck and its OLED variant are now several years old. With prices climbing across the gaming landscape, many gamers are feeling the pinch.

Valve has yet to reveal the pricing for its upcoming Steam Machine hardware, but given the price hikes on its less powerful portable, it wouldn’t be surprising to see a price tag of $1,000 or more.

The Steam Machine resembles a console but primarily competes with PCs, allowing Valve to explore various avenues for its new hardware.