Valve has confirmed that its Steam Deck handheld gaming device is intermittently out of stock in some regions because of ongoing memory and storage shortages. These shortages, driven by AI industry demand, have also delayed the launch of new products like the Steam Machine and Steam Frame. The basic LCD model is now discontinued, raising the starting price.
Earlier this month, Valve announced delays for its upcoming Steam Machine desktop and Steam Frame VR headset, citing memory and storage shortages that began in late 2025 and are expected to persist through 2026 and beyond. These issues stem primarily from the AI sector's high demand for RAM and flash memory chips.
On the Steam Deck page, Valve added a note stating the device is “out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages.” Currently, none of the three listed configurations—nor any certified refurbished models—are available for purchase. The company has not announced price increases, with the 512GB OLED model listed at $549 and the 1TB version at $649.
The entry-level 256GB LCD model, originally priced at $399, has been discontinued after selling out. Valve stated in December that it would end production of the LCD version and not restock it, effectively increasing the starting price to $549.
Launched four years ago, the Steam Deck features a semi-custom AMD chip and runs on the Linux-based SteamOS, which uses Proton technology to support unmodified Windows games. This has helped challenge Windows' dominance in gaming PCs. Amid the shortages, potential buyers may consider alternatives like Lenovo’s Legion Go S, which ships with SteamOS, or install the OS on AMD-based devices such as the Asus ROG Ally or ROG Ally X, where Valve provides beta support.
