TL;DR
Valve has stopped producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model and the unit is now sold out. The author argues this is a strategic move to reposition the OLED Deck as a pricing anchor for Valve’s expanding hardware line, not evidence of an imminent Steam Deck 2.
What happened
Valve added a notice saying it is no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model; the listing has since sold out and the LCD SKU has been retired. Gardiner Bryant, writing on December 22, 2025, rejects the frequent interpretation that the discontinuation signals an imminent Steam Deck 2. Instead, he frames the change as a deliberate pricing and product-line decision: historically Valve offered a $399 64GB eMMC entry model alongside NVMe-based 256GB and 512GB SKUs, and later added an OLED option. Bryant argues the LCD served as a pricing anchor (or decoy) that nudged buyers toward higher-margin options. With the LCD removed and new Valve products announced (the Steam Machine and Steam Frame), Bryant contends the OLED Deck will now perform the anchor role, making the pricing of Valve’s broader hardware family appear more acceptable to buyers.
Why it matters
- Removing the LCD model changes how consumers compare Valve’s hardware prices and could nudge purchases toward higher-priced SKUs.
- If the OLED becomes the new entry-point anchor, new Valve products may appear more attractively priced relative to the Deck.
- The move reframes the Steam Deck’s role within Valve’s product lineup rather than signalling immediate next-generation hardware.
- Owners should expect continued software support for existing Deck models despite the LCD’s retirement.
Key facts
- Valve posted that the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model is no longer being produced and it is now sold out.
- Gardiner Bryant published the analysis on December 22, 2025.
- Before the OLED, Valve sold a $399 64GB eMMC Deck and NVMe-based 256GB and 512GB models at $529 and $649, respectively.
- The author says many outlets linked the discontinuation to rising RAM and NAND prices, but he is skeptical that chip costs are the primary reason.
- Bryant calls the 64GB model and similar SKUs pricing anchors or decoys used to influence buyer behavior.
- Valve announced other hardware (the Steam Machine and Steam Frame) weeks before the LCD retirement.
- The author believes the Steam Deck will remain a capable gaming device for several years and that SteamOS support for the Deck family will continue.
What to watch next
- Official pricing announcements for the Steam Machine and Steam Frame and how they compare to the Deck (not confirmed in the source).
- Any new Steam Deck SKUs or capacity additions, such as a possible 2TB model (not confirmed in the source).
- Community and media reaction to the LCD retirement and whether it changes buying patterns for Valve hardware.
Quick glossary
- Pricing anchor: A product deliberately priced to shape buyers’ perceptions of value for other items in the lineup.
- Decoy product: An offering included in a range to make other options look more appealing by comparison.
- NVMe: A high-performance interface for solid-state drives that offers faster data transfer than older standards.
- eMMC: An embedded flash storage type commonly used in lower-cost devices; typically slower than NVMe SSDs.
- OLED: A display technology known for deeper blacks and higher contrast compared with traditional LCD panels.
Reader FAQ
Does the LCD retirement mean a Steam Deck 2 is coming?
According to the source, no — the author argues the discontinuation is not evidence of an imminent Deck 2.
Was the LCD discontinued because of rising chip prices?
The author notes rising RAM and NAND prices are commonly cited, but he doubts that chip costs are the main reason.
Will the retired LCD Deck still receive software updates?
The author expects the Deck family, including the LCD model, to continue receiving support and SteamOS updates.
Will Valve introduce new Deck storage sizes like 2TB?
Not confirmed in the source.
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Sources
- Why I think Valve’s retiring the Steam Deck LCD
- Valve Officially Discontinued the LCD Steam Deck
- Valve's Steam Deck LCD kickstarted the PC handheld …
- Steam Deck Entry Price Jumps to $549 as Valve … – VICE
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