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Valve discontinues the most affordable Steam Deck — $399 LCD version on the way out as new starting point is $549
Valve just announced that it will discontinue the $399 256GB LCD Steam Deck, making the most affordable option the $549 512GB OLED model. You can see the announcement when you visit the Steam Deck page on Steam, with the company adding a simple note underneath the Choose Your Steam Deck section.
Valve says, “We are no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model. Once sold out, it will no longer be available.” With the purchase button under the LCD model grayed out and marked as “Out of stock,” it’s safe to say that we’d no longer be able to purchase the best budget handheld gaming PC of 2025 brand new, although there’s still a chance that you can score a refurbished version down the road.
(Image credit: Valve)
The company did not explain why it’s ending the production of one of its most popular Steam Deck models, so we can only guess as to why they’re doing that. One plausible theory is that the 256GB model is no longer profitable due to the ongoing RAM crisis. A Kingston rep said NAND prices for kits have more than tripled since the start of the year, forcing memory module manufacturers to raise prices as their costs rise. More than that, the problem is expected to get worse in 2026, as memory chip makers hedge their bets against an AI bubble.
Others say that the company is clearing up inventory in preparation for new products. Valve just announced the new Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame 3D headset. However, these are totally different device categories, so it’s unlikely that their manufacturing lines would’ve affected Steam Deck production. It’s also doubtful that Valve is preparing for a second-generation handheld gaming console, especially since it previously said it won’t release a new model unless chipmakers have introduced chips with significant architectural improvements.
The discontinuation of the $399 Steam Deck is a disaster for budget gamers, especially as it’s one of the most affordable mainstream handheld consoles available on the market. A quick look around for competing consoles shows that the base Asus ROG Ally starts at $489.99 at Best Buy, while the entry-level Lenovo Legion Go S is priced at $589.99 on Amazon. So, if you want to get a Steam Deck for Christmas, you have no choice but to shell out an extra $150 for the OLED model.
Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.
My guess is that the OLED models had higher margins and thus were better able to absorb the recent higher costs without requiring a new higher price for consumers. This might still come in 2026 but I expect Steam wanted to avoid a price increase in the midst of the holiday season.
That's a shame, but for the Steamdeck you should get the OLED version anyways.
Either that or the Legion Go S, preferably the Z1E/32GB/1TB model. If not, the Z2Go/32GB model is good enough.
What you should avoid is the Xbox Ally Z2a/16GB model. You pay more for better ergonomics and 1080p screen resolution, but the internal hardware is the same as the Steamdeck, which is designed for 720p/800p gaming.
