Summary
Valve’s Linux-powered handheld has been a remarkable success. If you don’t yet have a Steam Deck, you might be wondering whether it’s worth waiting for the next-generation console.
Why I Didn’t Wait for the Steam Deck 2
Let’s get this out of the way first. I wanted a Steam Deck since the handheld first launched in February 2022. When the OLED model arrived around 18 months later, I wanted one even more. The issue I faced was that Valve wouldn’t sell me one, at least not officially.
I live in Australia, where the Steam Deck didn’t officially launch until November 2024. Prior to this date, I could have bought one on the grey market but I wasn’t desperate enough to forego my warranty or pay over the odds for the privilege. And so I waited.
I ordered my 1TB Steam Deck OLED at the first opportunity, within a few minutes of orders going live. I am well aware that Valve is likely working on a follow-up, and that did nothing to slow me down. As someone who doesn’t own a gaming PC, I wanted a Steam Deck tomake full use of my 20-year-old Steam account again.
Over a month later, I have no regrets.
When Should We Expect the Steam Deck 2?
We just don’t know when Valve will release a follow-up to the Steam Deck, but we can look at what the company has said in the past to get some ideas. In 2023, product designed Lawrence Yangsaidthat a Steam Deck 2 would require a “next-generation” power upgrade that wouldn’t be ready for two to three years.
That means we could expect a Steam Deck follow-up to arrive as soon as 2025, or as late as 2026 by Valve’s own estimates. Of course, those comments were likely made at a time when even Valve was questioning what next-generation hardware could deliver, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the release date slips even further.
In late 2024, Microsoftconfirmedthat its own Xbox handheld was potentially years away, with comments suggesting 2026 at the earliest. Based on the current console cycle, Sony isn’t expected to release its PlayStation 6 console until 2027.
This points to current hardware not being revolutionary enough to deliver the sizable impact that hardware manufacturers are looking for. Different companies naturally have different approaches to hardware releases, which is to say nothing of Nintendo which isreadying its follow-up to the Switch in 2025.
What Might a Steam Deck 2 Look Like?
By far the biggest improvement to the Steam Deck 2 will come in the form of a performance boost. Even the OLED model, released in 2023, has near-identical performance to the original 2022 release, which is beginning to show its age now (especially when compared withnewer releases like the ROG Ally X).
Expect more power across the board, from a more capable GPU that will likely featurehardware upscalingto a CPU that can handle more complex simulations (an area where the Steam Deck can really choke in titles likeBaldur’s Gate 3).
Since Valve’sAPU features a CPU that shares RAM with the GPU, expect to see more memory that likely runs at higher clock speeds. Faster internal storage (potentially in higher quantities, even on the base mode) would help reduce the likelihood that streaming assets like textures from the drive would bottleneck the system. More space would help combat the fact that games continue to swell in size.
In addition to an overall performance boost that comes with a few years’ worth of hardware advancements, it’s also likely that Valve would want to address the lack ofvariable refresh rate (VRR) supporton the integrated display.
Product designer Lawrence Yangrevealedthat VRR support is “a feature that is on the top of our list of things that we would like to do” for future Steam Deck revisions and that the company “just couldn’t get it done on time” for the OLED refresh. A higher refresh rate of 120Hz or greater could also be on the cards.
Also curiously absent on the Steam Deck OLED are Hall Effect sticks and triggers. While traditional analog sticks that use potentiometers are prone to wearing out due to damage to the metal inside the joystick mechanism, Hall Effect sticks use magnets and a springwhich makes them far more resilient to drift.
You can already buy third-party Hall Effect stick replacements for your Steam Deck, so it would be great to see Valve embrace the technology fully in the follow-up.
Lastly, better battery life would be a big plus for most people but it’s not necessarily a guarantee. The Steam Deck OLED improved battery life, and while we’d all like to see future revisions go even further, there’s a balance to be struck between hardware efficiency, performance, and ergonomics.
How Much Will a Steam Deck 2 Cost?
Valve struggled to launch the original Steam Deck for $399, and Gabe Newell told EDGE magazine (via WCCF Tech) that “far and away the most popular SKU is the most expensive one,” and that the company is using this notion to “frame our thinking for Steam Deck 2.”
This heavily implies that the Steam Deck 2 will cost more than the original. Valve could continue to sell the original Steam Deck as an entry-level handheld, and offer the more expensive “premium” Steam Deck 2 model at a moderate markup.
For comparison, the ROG Ally X has an MSRP of $799 but can be found for $100 less. The MSI Claw A1M (7-inch) and Lenovo Legion Go (8.8-inch) both retail for $749. It’s likely that Valve wants to remain competitive in this regard, but we’ll have to wait and see.
The Wait Might Not Be Worth It for Everyone
Since the biggest improvement from the Steam Deck 2 will likely come in the form of a big boost in performance, those who stand to gain the most from the new machine are those who will put the console through its paces. Which games you play makes a big difference.
If you want a Steam Deck so that you’re able to playSlay the Spire,Balatro, andBrotatoon repeat, the original 2022 or 2023 revision is all you need. If you’re using your Steam Deck as an indie machine or you prefer to play turn-based RPGs likePersonaandSea of Stars, an original Deck fits the bill perfectly.
The same can be said for those happy to play older games likeBatman: Arkham OriginsandMiddle-earth: Shadow of Mordor. Both of these titles run at 60 FPS, while newer titles likeElden RingandGod of War: Ragnarokhover around the 40 FPS mark (depending on the settings you choose).
If the Steam Deck isyour dream emulation machine, you might be content with an original model. More performance would certainly help performance in PlayStation 3 titles, but as it stands the Steam Deck OLED puts most dedicated retro handhelds to shame (though it costs a lot more thansomething like the Retroid Pocket).
Maybe you’re happystreaming Steam games from your PC, Xbox, or PlayStation 5? Since you’re not natively using the Steam Deck to play these games, your money might be better spent on a PC upgrade or new router instead.
Lastly, if you are limited by your budget, the Steam Deck 2 is almost certainly going to cost more than the current offering.
Love Your Triple-A Games? You Might Want to Wait
If your main use for the Steam Deck is as a complete PC replacement to play the very latest games, you should probably wait for the Steam Deck 2. We’ve reached a point now in early 2025 where the Steam Deck really isn’t powerful enough to run many new releases.
Games likeIndiana Jones and the Great CircleandPath of Exile 2run poorly due to the age of the hardware. You should either wait for the refresh or steer clear of Valve’s current hardwarein favor of another handheld PCinstead.
