Why There’s Still No Steam Deck 2
▼ Summary
– Valve has not announced a Steam Deck 2 because current technology does not yet meet their performance upgrade requirements.
– The company is waiting for a significant performance leap in Systems on a Chip (SoC) to justify a true next-generation Steam Deck successor.
– Valve aims for a substantial performance improvement, not just incremental gains like 20-50%, while maintaining or improving battery life.
– An upgraded Steam Deck is not expected until at least 2026, as the necessary technological advancements are still being monitored.
– Valve’s focus is currently on other hardware like the Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame, all set to ship in early 2026.
While Valve recently unveiled several new hardware products, a true successor to the Steam Deck was notably missing from the announcement. The company has clarified that a second-generation model is actively in development, but current technological limitations prevent its immediate release. Valve is holding out for a substantial performance leap rather than a minor upgrade, ensuring the next device represents a meaningful evolution for handheld gaming.
In a recent interview, Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed the team remains dedicated to creating a follow-up to the popular handheld. He emphasized that any new version must offer a significant enough improvement to justify its existence as a standalone product. According to Griffais, the company’s vision extends far beyond simply incorporating a better battery or a slightly faster processor.
The core issue lies with the available Systems on a Chip (SoC). Griffais stated that Valve is not interested in a performance boost of 20%, 30%, or even 50% if it comes at the expense of power efficiency. The goal is a much more pronounced and demarcated leap in capability. The engineering team has a clear idea of what the next-generation Steam Deck should be, but they are waiting for the semiconductor industry to produce components that meet their ambitious performance targets.
This stance is consistent with previous statements from the company. In a late 2023 discussion, Griffais suggested that a “significant enough increase” in performance technology might not be feasible until around 2026. He noted that Valve is closely monitoring architectural and fabrication advancements, but does not anticipate the necessary technological leap occurring within the next couple of years.
The original Steam Deck launched in early 2022, with a revised OLED model arriving in late 2023 that maintained the same internal performance. This indicates that Valve’s strategy prioritizes a major generational upgrade over incremental refreshes. The eventual Steam Deck 2 is envisioned as a much more powerful device, but its arrival is entirely dependent on the progress of underlying chip technology.
In the meantime, Valve’s focus is on its upcoming hardware lineup, which includes a new Steam Controller, Steam Frame, and a Steam Machine reminiscent of a Nintendo GameCube. These products are scheduled to begin shipping in early 2026, with the company’s hardware engineers stressing that affordability remains a key consideration.
(Source: GameSpot)
