Demand for Valve's Steam Deck handheld gaming PC appears to have significantly decreased in the months following a price adjustment, according to an analysis by Boiling Steam, as reported by Gizmodo. The publication's estimation suggests that the Steam Deck could be selling up to 82% fewer units compared to the previous year.
This apparent decline is based on the Steam Deck's slip from a consistent position around fifth place on Steam's top sellers chart to approximately fourteenth. This shift theoretically represents a substantial 72% drop in revenue. While Valve has not released official sales figures and is unlikely to do so, the observed trend indicates a slowdown in the device's momentum.
At its current price point of $789, the Steam Deck faces increased competition from more powerful handhelds like the Xbox Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go, making it a less attractive value proposition for some consumers, unless specific features such as its haptic trackpads are a priority.
However, the market landscape for handheld gaming PCs is dynamic. If competitors, such as the Xbox Ally, also experience price increases, the Steam Deck could regain a more competitive standing. Nevertheless, a portion of the market may remain priced out regardless of competitor pricing.
External factors are also contributing to the rising cost of hardware. Valve has indicated that retail prices are subject to a lag behind supplier costs. Furthermore, the upcoming August price increase for the Xbox Series X, coupled with Microsoft's projections of a fivefold increase in memory costs, suggests that further price hikes across the industry are likely.