Valve has passed a significant milestone for its Steam Deck, the device that revolutionized the portable gaming console market. If you were still thinking about buying an affordable Steam Deck sometime, unfortunately, that train has left the station. The company has officially discontinued the last entry-level LCD screen model.
Farewell to the $399 model: Only OLED available now
Valve announced the discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model in a note published on the official Steam Deck website. The announcement stated that this model would no longer be sold once stocks ran out, and that’s exactly what happened today. Priced at $399 (approximately 13,500 TL + taxes), this model, considered by many to be the best handheld console, is now completely sold out. Even the company’s refurbished product inventory is depleted.
This move significantly increases the cost of entering the Steam Deck world. Valve’s only option now is OLED models. This means potential buyers are forced to choose between two options:
- 512GB OLED Model: $549
- 1TB OLED Model: $649
So, to get the cheapest Steam Deck, you now have to pay $150 more than before. While the OLED model is definitely a better device with longer battery life, a larger screen, and a higher refresh rate (90Hz), the price/performance advantage offered by the LCD model is gone.
Although Valve has discontinued the LCD model, they are not abandoning existing users. The company announced that it will continue to provide software updates and support for LCD screen models. With the discontinuation of the 256GB version after the 64GB and 512GB LCD models released in 2022, the Steam Deck has completely transitioned to the OLED era.
So, do you think the removal of the $399 model will reduce Steam Deck sales? Or is the OLED quality worth the price difference? Share your thoughts with us in the comments!
