Steam Deck LCD Discontinued: The End of an Era
▼ Summary
– Valve has officially discontinued production of the original, most affordable Steam Deck model with the 7-inch LCD screen and 256GB storage.
– The cheapest Steam Deck is now the $549.99 OLED model, raising the entry price for the ecosystem by $150.
– The article speculates the discontinuation may be due to OLED model sales cannibalization, component shortages, or rising memory/SSD costs.
– It notes a broader trend of increasing handheld PC prices, with the Steam Deck LCD being a notable value exception.
– The author expresses concern that rising PC component costs could affect the pricing of Valve’s upcoming “Steam Machine” console in 2026.
The original Steam Deck with its 7-inch LCD screen has officially reached the end of its production run. Valve has discontinued the most affordable entry point into its handheld PC ecosystem, marking a significant shift in the portable gaming market. A notice on the product page confirms that once existing stock of the 256GB LCD model is gone, it will not return. This move leaves the newer, more expensive OLED model as the cheapest available Steam Deck, raising the barrier to entry for many gamers.
While Valve has not provided an official explanation, industry observers point to a few likely factors. The superior OLED model, with its better screen and battery, likely drew sales away from the older LCD version. Furthermore, ongoing global shortages and rising costs for components like memory and SSDs may have made producing the budget-friendly model less economically viable. The result is a substantial price jump; the cheapest Steam Deck is now the $549.99 OLED 512GB model, a $150 increase over the original $399.99 LCD version.
This discontinuation reflects a broader, concerning trend in the handheld PC space where prices are steadily climbing. New devices from competitors often launch with premium price tags, making it increasingly difficult to find a capable machine for under $500 without significant sales events. The Steam Deck LCD stood out as a uniquely value-packed option, delivering a polished, integrated experience even if it wasn’t the most powerful hardware available. Its departure narrows the choices for budget-conscious consumers.
This market shift also raises questions about the future, particularly regarding Valve’s next hardware venture, the Steam Machine console slated for early 2026. When announced, a Valve engineer suggested its price would align with “the current PC market.” Given that the PC component market is experiencing inflated prices due to high demand from AI companies, there is growing concern that the Steam Machine’s cost could be higher than initially hoped. The discontinuation of the affordable Steam Deck LCD may be a precursor to a more expensive hardware landscape overall, where the cost of gaming continues to rise rather than fall over time.
(Source: Gizmodo)
