Steam Deck gets rare price cut as rivals raise prices
It could be your cheapest entry point into handheld PC gaming, at least if it’s available in your region.
Valve just made an unusual move in today’s console market: it’s cutting prices. The Steam Deck LCD is 20 percent off through October 6, bringing the 256GB model down from $399.99 to $319.20. The timing, just a week before the Steam Autumn Sale, means new buyers can stock up on discounted games without having to wait for the usual rush.
Four years in, the LCD model is hardly new, but it’s aged better than most expected. Regular updates, developer optimizations, and a steady SteamOS (not Windows 11 - thankfully) have kept it competitive. Meanwhile, the OLED version has the premium perks—bigger battery, 90Hz refresh, Wi-Fi 6E—but at $549, it sits more than $200 higher. And right now, that money saved could go toward a fat library of discounted Steam games.
The backdrop makes this price cut stand out even more. Microsoft has raised Xbox prices twice in the U.S. this year, Sony’s PS5 all-digital now costs $100 more than launch, and even Nintendo nudged up the Switch. Against that trend, Valve’s move feels less like a sale and more like a statement.
With lifetime sales estimated between 5–7 million units, the Steam Deck has already become the most successful handheld outside Nintendo. This discount underscores why: in a market where new devices like Asus’ ROG Ally X and Lenovo’s Legion Go 2 ($1,350) are either unpriced or prohibitively expensive, Valve is betting that value, not just specs, will keep players in its ecosystem.
That said, the discount is only live in regions where Valve officially sells the Steam Deck, like the U.S. and parts of Europe. In markets such as Nigeria, where the console isn’t officially available, players will still need to rely on resellers.
If you’ve been waiting to jump into the handheld PC scene, this is one of the better chances you’ll get. The deal is live now through October 6th at 1PM ET / 10AM PT.
Emmanuel Umahi
