Valve Discontinues Steam Deck LCD Model, Leaves OLED Versions as Only Option

Gaming giant Valve has officially discontinued production of its most affordable handheld console, the Steam Deck LCD (256GB), marking the end of the original LCD-based Steam Deck lineup.

The company confirmed that once existing stock is sold out, the 256GB LCD model will no longer be available for purchase. Going forward, Valve will only sell Steam Deck OLED models in 512GB and 1TB configurations.

Steam Deck LCD Reaches End of the Road

Valve confirmed the development through a notice on the official Steam Deck store page, which states:

“We are no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model. Once sold out, it will no longer be available.”

According to reports, the Steam Deck LCD has already gone out of stock in the US, indicating that Valve will not restock the device. Since the Steam Deck is not officially sold in India, the store page continues to show the device as unavailable in the region.

The 256GB LCD model was priced at $399, making it the most affordable Steam Deck available until now.

A Brief History of Steam Deck Models

The original Steam Deck launched in 2022 with an LCD display and three storage variants:

• 64GB
• 256GB
• 512GB

When Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED in 2023, the 64GB and 512GB LCD models were discontinued. The 256GB LCD version remained as the entry-level option until its discontinuation this month.

Currently available models include:

• Steam Deck OLED 512GB – $549
• Steam Deck OLED 1TB – $649

Why Valve May Have Discontinued the LCD Model

Valve has not officially explained why it ended production of the cheapest Steam Deck. However, the move comes shortly after the company announced Steam Machine, a new PC–console hybrid running SteamOS, which is expected to launch in early 2026.

The timing has fueled speculation that Valve may be clearing the way for next-generation hardware, including a potential Steam Deck 2.

What Valve Has Said About Steam Deck 2

While announcing Steam Machine, Valve did not share concrete details about the next-generation Steam Deck. However, company executives acknowledged that future handheld hardware is being actively considered.

Speaking to IGN, Valve software engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said the company wants a meaningful leap in performance rather than incremental upgrades.

Valve has repeatedly stated that Steam Deck 2 will only launch when:

• Performance gains are significant
• Battery life remains competitive
• New silicon and architectural advances make a true generational jump possible

At present, Valve believes existing chipsets do not yet offer the breakthrough needed for a true next-gen Steam Deck.

What This Means for Buyers

With the LCD model discontinued, buyers now face:

• Higher entry pricing for Steam Deck hardware
• OLED-only options with better displays, battery efficiency, and build quality
• No official budget Steam Deck option

For existing LCD owners, Valve is expected to continue software and SteamOS support, even as hardware production ends.

The Bigger Picture

The discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD signals Valve’s shift toward premium handheld gaming and possibly its long-term transition to next-generation Steam hardware. With Steam Machine, new controllers, and VR headsets also in development, Valve appears to be laying the groundwork for a broader Steam ecosystem refresh.

Related Topics:
Tech News | Gaming | Handheld Consoles | Steam Deck | Valve

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