Steam Deck prices go through the roof as Valve blames component shortages

Valve increased Steam Deck handheld gaming PC prices, stating the device hardware stayed the same while component costs and global logistics challenges rose. The 512 GB OLED model increased to $789 from $549, and the 1 TB model rose by more than 46% to $949. The change reflects a broader pattern of vendors passing higher silicon costs to customers, including Raspberry Pi and Microsoft Surface price increases. The duration of the cost pressure is uncertain, with analysts forecasting memory shortages could extend into 2027 and beyond. Potential responses include lower specifications, such as Raspberry Pi offering a 3 GB model and AI PCs shipping with less onboard memory, even as AI demand contributes to the shortage.

"Valve has hiked the price of its Steam Deck handheld gaming PC, citing rising costs of memory and storage. The 512 GB version of the OLED unit is now $789, up from $549, and the 1 TB handheld is up more than 46 percent to $949. In a statement, Valve said: "Steam Deck itself hasn't changed; these new prices reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry as a whole.""

"It is unclear how long the crunch will last. Raspberry Pi boss Eben Upton committed to reversing the price increases when costs fall, but Valve has been more coy, simply stating: "We'll keep you updated if anything changes." Earlier this year, analysts forecast that memory shortages could run into 2027 and beyond. Dell COO Jeff Clarke called the situation "unprecedented.""

"One result may be lower specifications. To soften the blow, Raspberry Pi introduced a 3 GB Raspberry Pi 4, and AI PCs may ship with less onboard memory as vendors try to keep prices down. That is a bit ironic, given that one of the driving factors behind the current silicon shortage is AI infrastructure demand. The growth of AI has led vendors to snap up memory supplies and the resulting shortage of components has pushed prices higher, although the hefty double digit percentage increase in Steam Deck prices is substantial."

Read at theregister