Steam Deck demand reportedly plummets after Valve’s steep price hike

Valve's steep Steam Deck price increase may be taking a much heavier toll than initially expected. While the company raised prices to counter soaring component costs driven by the ongoing AI-fueled chip shortage, new estimates suggest the strategy has dramatically reduced demand, leaving the handheld selling far fewer units than it did before the increase.

The latest figures come from Boiling Steam, which once again analyzed Steam's Global Top Sellers chart to estimate hardware sales. The publication previously used the same methodology to gauge early Steam Machine performance, relying on Valve's revenue-based rankings to approximate weekly sales. This time, the focus shifted to the Steam Deck, comparing its performance before and after Valve phased out the more affordable LCD models in favor of OLED-only variants.

Throughout much of 2025, the Steam Deck consistently ranked near the top of Steam's best-selling products. That changed in 2026 when the LCD models were discontinued and the remaining OLED versions received a roughly $300 price increase. Early demand appeared strong, with the new models reportedly selling out shortly after launch, but Boiling Steam believes the initial rush has since given way to a much weaker sales trend.

According to the publication's estimates, weekly Steam Deck sales have fallen by around 82% compared to last year. Shipments are believed to have dropped from roughly 11,000-18,000 units per week in 2025 to somewhere between 1,400 and 3,000 units today. Revenue has also reportedly taken a substantial hit. Despite the significantly higher selling price, Valve is estimated to be generating around 72% less revenue from Steam Deck sales than it was before the price increase.

The report argues that the handheld has lost one of its biggest competitive advantages. When the Steam Deck launched, it offered an attractive balance between price and performance, allowing it to compete against more powerful Windows-based rivals. That value proposition has weakened considerably following the price adjustment.

The market itself has also become much more competitive. Newer handhelds powered by AMD's Ryzen Z2 series and Intel's latest Arc graphics now deliver substantially stronger gaming performance, giving buyers more compelling alternatives at premium price points. Devices such as the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ and Asus ROG Ally X may now appear more attractive to enthusiasts willing to spend that much on a portable gaming PC.

Boiling Steam notes that its figures remain estimates rather than official sales data, as Valve has never disclosed Steam Deck shipment numbers. Even so, if the methodology accurately reflects market trends, the company could be facing a much steeper decline in handheld demand than many expected.

As always, for the latest news on Steam hardware, Valve announcements, gaming handhelds, and developments across the PC gaming industry, be sure to follow our dedicated hardware coverage.