Valve has officially stopped manufacturing its most budget-friendly handheld console, the Steam Deck LCD (256GB). The model will no longer be available once existing stock runs out, according to confirmation on Valve’s Steam Deck store page.
Steam Deck LCD Officially Discontinued
A notice on the Steam Deck store states that Valve is no longer producing the 256GB LCD model, and that it will be permanently removed once sold out. Reports indicate the device is already out of stock on the US Steam Deck website, suggesting there will be no restocks.
With the LCD variant being phased out, the Steam Deck OLED models, available in 512GB and 1TB configurations, are now the only handheld devices currently offered by Valve. The Steam Deck LCD originally launched in 2022 and was first sold in 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB versions. When Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED in 2023, the 64GB and 512GB LCD variants were discontinued, leaving the 256GB version as the entry-level option.
Steam Machine Announcement Hints at Valve’s Next Steps
Valve has not explained why it chose to discontinue the LCD model, but the move comes shortly after the company announced the Steam Machine, a PC–console hybrid powered by SteamOS. The device is scheduled to launch in early 2026, alongside a second-generation Steam Controller and a new Steam Frame VR headset. There is speculation on the reasons as to why this is. The most popular theory is related to the rising DRAM prices and memory shortages – proving to be a challenge for manufacturers.
This timing has fueled speculation that Valve is preparing the ground for a second-generation Steam Deck.
What We Know About Steam Deck 2
While Valve hasn’t formally announced a Steam Deck successor, company representatives have suggested that plans are taking shape. Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais explained that the company wants any future Steam Deck to represent a meaningful leap forward, rather than a modest performance boost.
According to Griffais, Valve is waiting for significant advancements in silicon and system architecture before committing to new hardware. The company is not interested in releasing a new device that offers only marginal improvements in performance or battery life.
For now, Valve appears focused on ensuring that its next handheld—if and when it arrives—will clearly stand apart from the current Steam Deck line up.
Author: George Nathan Dulnuan