Prospective buyers hoping to pick up a Steam Deck may be met with disappointment. Valve’s sought-after handheld gaming PC is currently grappling with significant supply constraints, primarily attributed to a global shortage of RAM and storage components.
Valve’s current lineup consists of three distinct tiers: the legacy 256GB LCD model, and the more advanced 512GB and 1TB OLED versions. While the LCD variant is officially being phased out, the unavailability of the OLED models is more concerning. A disclaimer on the official Steam Deck storefront warns that the OLED iterations “may be out of stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages.” While the flagship 1TB version remains accessible in certain international markets, domestic availability in the U.S. has become increasingly volatile.
This hardware hurdle echoes previous challenges Valve has faced. The Steam Machine, the company’s earlier attempt to bridge the gap between desktop gaming and the living room, was famously hampered by the escalating costs of internal components. This trend appears to be repeating; in a recent update, Valve addressed how industry-wide scarcity is impacting their roadmap.
According to the company, the limited availability and surging prices of essential parts—specifically memory and storage—have intensified. Valve noted that these market shifts are forcing them to re-evaluate their production timelines and MSRPs. With the entry-level OLED model currently priced near $600, any further increase in manufacturing costs raises questions about whether the consumer price tag will eventually be adjusted upward.
Inquiries have been made regarding the anticipated duration of these shortages and whether Valve plans to maintain its current pricing structure once stock stabilizes. As of now, the company has not provided an official comment, but updates will be shared as more information becomes available.
Source: Polygon
