New reports indicate a dramatic decline in Steam Deck sales, with figures suggesting an 82 percent drop following recent price increases implemented by Valve. The price hikes, which occurred in May, reportedly raised the cost of Steam Deck models by between $240 and $300, depending on the configuration.
These increases were attributed by Valve to "component shortages and RAM prices," as well as "current component costs and other global logistical challenges across the industry." At the time of the price adjustment, Valve also removed the more affordable LCD versions of the Steam Deck from sale, leaving only the higher-priced OLED models available. The Steam Deck OLED 512GB, for example, reportedly rose from $550 to $790, and the 1TB version increased from $650 to $950.
According to a report by Boiling Steam, which was cited by WCCF Tech, this shift has had a severe impact on sales volume. The handheld reportedly fell from fifth place to fourteenth on Steam's sales charts following the price hike. While current U.S. charts place it at eleventh, this still represents a notable decrease from its previous performance. Boiling Steam estimates this decline translates to an 82 percent reduction in weekly shipment volume, with figures dropping from an estimated 11,000 to 18,000 units per week to between 1,400 and 3,000 units in July.
Several factors likely contribute to this reported downturn. The removal of the lower-priced LCD models, particularly the $400 256GB version, would have eliminated a significant entry point for many consumers. Additionally, this period coincides with the launch of the Steam Machine, a newer device that, despite serving different purposes, might draw consumer attention and investment. Valve has not yet responded to requests for confirmation of these sales figures.