The availability of the Steam Deck has reached a critical point, as all models are currently sold out on Steam. This includes the 256GB Steam Deck LCD and both the 512GB and 1TB Steam Deck OLED versions, which had previously fluctuated in stock. Valve's recent acknowledgment of a RAM shortage affecting its hardware plans raises concerns about the potential impact on its handheld devices.
Despite Valve's plans to phase out the LCD versions by December 2025, the simultaneous unavailability of both OLED models is noteworthy. Following the announcement of issues with memory and storage, the company did not explicitly state that the Steam Deck would be influenced, which may warrant reconsideration. The rising prices of RAM have already prompted other manufacturers, such as Framework, to increase their product costs significantly.
Engadget has reached out to Valve for further clarity regarding the Steam Deck's stock situation and will provide updates as information becomes available. Industry analysts suggest that the ongoing memory crisis, fueled by demand from the AI sector, could lead to broader economic repercussions within the PC market if the situation persists.