Steam Deck 2: when will Valve release its new handheld console?

The Steam Deck 2 is eagerly anticipated, but when will it arrive? Valve has now shared an update on its handheld console.

Released in 2021, the Steam Deck gave the handheld PC/console market a major boost. The device is beginning to show its age, while stock shortages are making it hard to buy. That naturally raises the prospect of a second model. So, when does Valve intend to launch a Steam Deck 2?

In a wide-ranging interview with IGN, Valve's Pierre-Loup Griffais and Steve Cardinali discussed a number of topics, including the launch of the new Steam Controller, the Steam Machine and the RAM crisis. They also commented on the possibility of a Steam Deck 2:

“We are working hard on it. And of course, at every stage, if you look at our most ambitious projects over the years, you can see our process between the Steam Controller, Steam Machines, the Steam Deck and everything we announce and bring to market during the year. We think the Steam Deck will follow the same path, and that most of our current activities will allow us to gain experience and make it happen.”

Valve has therefore once again confirmed that the Steam Deck 2 exists. The answer remains imprecise, but a new version of the console is clearly in the works. The real question, then, is when it will be released.

Valve faces the RAM crisis head-on

Valve unveiled its new Steam Machine console a few months ago. However, the company has not announced either a price or a release date because of the current RAM crisis. For now, the Bellevue firm is trying to identify solutions, while seeking to reassure customers:

“We are working hard to finalise the launch. We expect to make announcements soon, but overall, everything is going well.”

Griffais then provided further detail on how the crisis is being managed:

“From the outset, we made sure to diversify our options, which has proved very useful in the current context, as we can work with major market players as well as some smaller ones. That said, the current RAM situation is broadly problematic, which limits our room for manoeuvre.”

Steam Deck 2 timing remains uncertain

Once again, Valve has offered no clear timetable, even as it attempts to reassure consumers. The current period is simply the worst possible time to release a new device, particularly a console. To offset this delay, Valve has announced the 2026 version of its Steam Controller, a controller designed for PC gaming. It was originally meant to launch alongside the Steam Machine, but will ultimately arrive sooner:

“For us, the controller is a product in its own right, and we want to make sure we can offer it to customers independently of any news concerning the Steam Machine.”

Priced at 99 euros, this controller substantially improves on the formula of the first model released in 2015. It still includes touchpads, allowing players to enjoy PC games originally designed for a keyboard-and-mouse setup.