The original Steam Deck LCD is officially being phased out by Valve

Valve has announced that it has halted production of its Steam Deck LCD version, which is the least expensive option of the company's widely-acclaimed handheld gaming PC. This indicates that once the device is out of stock, it will no longer be purchasable via Steam.

Moving forward, Valve plans to keep supporting both its Steam Deck LCD and OLED versions. The OLED model will remain in production and will be the only variant of the handheld available after the LCD inventory is depleted. It’s important to note that Valve has not disclosed any intentions to introduce a 256GB Steam Deck OLED model.

The cessation of production implies that the $549 / 569€ / £479 512GB OLED Steam Deck has effectively become the base model. As its name indicates, this variant is equipped with a 7.4-inch OLED screen featuring a 90Hz refresh rate, an enhancement over the previous 7-inch 60Hz LCD display. Additional improvements for the OLED model include a 50 Whr battery and Wi-Fi 6E support. There is also a $649 / 679€ / £569 OLED model that offers a 1TB pre-installed drive as the highest-end hardware apart from special editions.

The Steam Deck OLED model goes beyond just a better screen. It incorporates a newer 6nm SOC, which provides enhanced efficiency and performance. Additionally, the device is equipped with a larger battery (50 Whr compared to 40 Whr), leading to improved battery longevity. The OLED model also features faster memory (LPDDR5-6400 vs. LPDDR5-5500), resulting in enhanced performance in memory-demanding tasks.

Remember that Valve has more hardware on the horizon to complement the Steam Deck. This includes the Steam Frame virtual reality headset, a new version of its Steam Controller, and the Steam Machine, which aims to deliver a console-like experience that is easy to use in the living room.

On the other hand, if you’re looking for a handheld device that is highly regarded, optimized for superb performance, and designed for serious gaming on the move, the ROG Ally X stands out as an excellent option. With its long-lasting battery, improved ergonomics, and full Windows functionality, it signifies the ideal future for handheld gaming. As always, for the latest news on hardware launches and industry developments, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.