Valve quietly pulls the plug on the last affordable Steam Deck model, and budget buyers won’t be happy about the new starting price

Valve has stopped making the cheapest Steam Deck model, which is bad news for people who wanted to buy a handheld gaming device without spending too much money. The company is no longer producing the entry-level Steam Deck with an LCD screen, and the budget-friendly option is now completely gone.

According to Engadget, the model that’s been discontinued is the Steam Deck with the LCD screen and 256 GB storage. Valve announced this on its Steam Deck page, saying once the stock runs out, it won’t be available anymore. The stock is already gone. The $399 model, which was considered the best gaming handheld for most people because of its great price, is now listed as out of stock. Even the refurbished LCD models have been completely sold out.

This means Valve is now only selling the newer OLED models. While the OLED version is definitely a better device, it costs more money. The LCD model had a great price for anyone who wanted to try PC gaming on a portable device. Now, buyers will need to spend more if they want to get a Steam Deck.

The OLED version offers real improvements over the LCD model

The OLED version is actually a high-quality device. When Valve released it, they didn’t just change the screen. They made many improvements to create a better product overall. The battery life is much longer, which is really important for a portable gaming device. The screen is also bigger and has a higher refresh rate, which makes games look smoother and more exciting than on the original LCD screen.

It makes sense why Valve wants to focus on making only the OLED version. The newer technology is clearly better. However, losing the $399 price point is disappointing for budget buyers. Similar to Walmart’s controversial new purchase limits, this decision prioritizes company strategy over customer affordability. Valve has decided that the quality upgrades in the OLED model are more important than keeping a cheaper option available.

If you already own an LCD Steam Deck, you don’t need to worry. Valve said it will keep supporting the LCD models with software updates. Your device will still get patches, security fixes, and new features. You won’t be left behind just because Valve stopped making new LCD models.

This change shows that Valve is moving the Steam Deck toward a more expensive, premium product. The LCD model was the affordable choice, but the OLED version is a much better device that’s worth the higher price because of its improved performance and screen. While some customers might feel torn like this auto worker about unexpected changes, you just need to be ready to pay more money if you want to buy a Steam Deck now.