Steam Deck 2Explainer
Steam Deck 2 release date: Valve hasn't announced it, and the OLED now costs $789
3 min
- Steam Deck
- PC
Rumor tracker Not announced
Steam Deck 2Release date, price, specs and rumors
Every claim about Valve's next Steam Deck in one place: what Valve has said on the record, credible reports and leaks on the release date, price, chip and screen, each labeled and dated.
Updated · 18 confirmed · 4 reported · 11 rumors
Claims tracked
15rumors and reports
Latest
- A second leaker says Gainsborough may use older RDNA 3.5+ or RDNA 4m graphics, not the RDNA 5 in the first leak.
- A leak claims Gainsborough is a 3nm chip with Zen 6 and RDNA 5, for late 2027 or 2028.
- Reports say AMD’s Sept. 29 driver names an unannounced chip, “Gainsborough”; the link to a next Deck rests on the name.
- Announced?Confirmed No. Valve says it is “hard at work” on the next Steam Deck, but it has not announced a name, a date or a price.
- Release dateRumor Not set. Valve says it will talk about it “in the coming years”. Two leakers point to late 2027 or 2028.
- PriceConfirmed No price. The current Steam Deck OLED costs $789 (512GB) or $949 (1TB) after a May 2026 rise.
- ChipReported An unannounced AMD chip codenamed Gainsborough turned up in an AMD driver. The link to Valve rests on the name, and leakers disagree on its graphics.
- What Valve wantsConfirmed A big jump in performance at the same battery life. Valve says 20, 30 or even 50% more is not enough.
- Steam Machine and Steam FrameConfirmed New Valve devices from $1,049 and $1,059, but neither is a handheld. Steam Deck OLED is the only handheld Valve still makes.
- Confirmed The company said it, or a store or rating board lists it
- Reported A credible trace: supply chain, filings, code or benchmarks; not confirmed
- Rumor A leak or a claim nobody has confirmed
Confirmed so far
Only what the company has said, filed or listed.
- Valve released the Steam Deck OLED at $549 (512GB) and $649 (1TB).Valve
- Steam Deck designer Lawrence Yang said Valve is “not doing the yearly cadence” and wants “a generational leap in compute without sacrificing battery life” before a true second-generation Deck.a Valve designer in an on-record interview
- Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said “there is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck”, after an AMD slide showed Steam Deck among Ryzen Z2 handhelds.a Valve engineer’s public post
- Griffais said Valve was not thinking about new hardware “until next year at least”. He wants big gains “within that 8-15 watt power envelope” and called a 20-30% gain not enough.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- SteamOS 3.7.8 added official support for the Lenovo Legion Go S and improved support for other AMD handhelds such as the ROG Ally.Valve release notes on Steam
- Valve announced three new devices: Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame. It did not announce a new Steam Deck.Valve’s Steam hardware blog
- Griffais said Valve is not interested in “20 or 30 or even 50% more performance at the same battery life”, and that Steam Deck is “not our focus today”. He said Valve has “a pretty good idea” of the next Deck, but no chip on the market today would make a true next-gen one.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- Griffais said Arm chips suit devices below Steam Deck’s performance, and that it is “possible” Arm could suit something on the order of Steam Deck.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- Valve said it is no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB, the last LCD model.Valve’s Steam Deck store page
- Valve’s store said Steam Deck OLED “may be out-of-stock intermittently in some regions due to memory and storage shortages”.Valve’s Steam Deck store page
- Griffais said Valve is “hard at work” on the next Steam Deck and that it will build on what Valve learned from its 2026 devices. No date.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- Valve restocked Steam Deck OLED and raised prices to $789 (512GB) and $949 (1TB) because of rising memory and storage costs. It said the Deck itself has not changed.Valve post on Steam
- Steam Machine launched through reservations at $1,049 (512GB) and $1,349 (2TB). Valve says it has “over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck”.Valve’s Steam hardware blog and store
- Griffais said “we’re definitely getting there”, but new chips are still in power envelopes “not quite the right segment” for a true handheld. Valve will talk about it “in the coming years”.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- Steam Frame launched through reservations at $1,059 (256GB) and $1,299 (1TB).Valve’s Steam hardware blog
- Griffais said memory shortages have “not really” changed Steam Deck 2 plans. Valve still wants “a very delineated performance improvement” and is weighing “how and when” to deliver it.a Valve engineer in an on-record interview
- SteamOS 3.8.28 added a “Non-Valve Devices” section with better support for MSI Claw, OneXPlayer and other handhelds.Valve release notes on Steam
- Valve’s store lists Steam Deck OLED at $789 (512GB) and $949 (1TB) and certified refurbished units at up to 20% off. It lists no Steam Deck 2, no date and no price.the Steam store
Rumors and reports
Not confirmed. Each line shows where the claim comes from, when it first appeared and where it stands today.
Release date
- RumorValve would release the next Steam Deck in the third or fourth quarter of 2026.a user on a Chinese hardware forum with no track record · first seen Jan 2024Debunked No device came in the third quarter, and none has been announced. In June 2026 Valve said it is focused on Steam Machine and will talk about the next Deck “in the coming years”.
- RumorThe next Steam Deck would launch on November 26, 2026, at $649.99, with a 1600x900 120Hz OLED screen and a new AMD chip about 10% slower than the Ryzen Z2 Extreme.a hardware news site citing an unnamed leak · first seen Jun 15, 2025Debunked Valve wants a far bigger jump than today’s chips give, and in June 2026 said it will talk about a next Deck “in the coming years”. No device has been announced.
- RumorSteam Deck 2 is currently planned for 2028.a hardware leaker with a strong track record, in a forum post · first seen Aug 2025Holding The same leaker repeated 2028 in April 2026. In October 2026 a second leaker also pointed to late 2027 or 2028.
- RumorValve was targeting 2028, but memory and storage shortages could delay it. The chip would not be semi-custom, so a delay could mean better specs.a hardware leaker with a strong track record, in a forum post · first seen Apr 2, 2026Holding In September 2026 Valve said the memory crisis has “not really” changed its plans. Conflicts with the October semi-custom claim.
- RumorThe next Deck will “almost certainly” launch in late 2027 or at some point in 2028.a hardware leak video channel with a mixed track record · first seen Oct 1, 2026Holding A second leaker also points to about 2028.
Price
- RumorThe next Deck’s price “should increase a lot” over the first model.a user on a Chinese hardware forum with no track record · first seen Jan 2024Holding No Steam Deck 2 price exists. In May 2026 Valve raised the current OLED’s prices by $240 and $300.
Display
- RumorThe next Deck would keep an OLED screen but move to 900p at 90Hz.a user on a Chinese hardware forum with no track record · first seen Jan 2024Holding
Specs
- RumorThe next Deck would use a six-core Zen 4-class AMD chip with 16 graphics units and LPDDR5X-8533 memory.a user on a Chinese hardware forum; tech sites read the specs from a cryptic post · first seen Jan 2024Debunked Valve has said chips in this class are not a big enough jump, and in January 2025 it ruled out a Steam Deck with AMD’s Ryzen Z2 chips.
- ReportedAMD’s Ryzen Z2 launch slide showed Steam Deck next to the new chips, which many read as a Z2 Steam Deck.a chip maker’s launch slide · first seen Jan 6, 2025Debunked Valve’s Griffais said the same day there is and will be no Z2 Steam Deck. AMD said the slide showed current design wins.
- ReportedShipping records named a faster AMD “Aerith Plus” chip (3.8GHz CPU boost, 1.8GHz graphics, 20W) that could power a new Deck.shipping records shared by a dataminer on social media · first seen Mar 2025Debunked Valve’s Griffais replied “Not happening” to the Steam Deck 2 link. The chip later shipped as AMD’s Ryzen Z2 A in the base ROG Xbox Ally, not in a Steam Deck.
- ReportedAn AMD graphics driver includes an unannounced chip codenamed “Gainsborough”. The original Steam Deck chip is codenamed “Aerith”, and Aerith Gainsborough is a Final Fantasy VII character.code in an AMD graphics driver, spotted by a forum user · first seen Oct 1, 2026Holding The driver shipped Sept. 29, 2026. Neither AMD nor Valve has commented. The link to Valve rests on the name.
- ReportedCustoms records from late July 2026 list test equipment for Gainsborough, for a 25 x 25 mm chip package with 1,179 contacts.import and export records found by forum users · first seen Oct 2, 2026Holding Some unnamed sources tie the same package to AMD’s own future handheld chips, so Valve may not be the customer.
- RumorGainsborough is a semi-custom AMD chip on TSMC’s 3nm N3P process with Zen 6 CPU cores and RDNA 5 graphics.a hardware leak video channel with a mixed track record · first seen Oct 1, 2026Holding Another leaker disputes the graphics (next line). In April 2026 that leaker said Valve has no semi-custom chip. Core and graphics-unit counts in some reports are estimates, not leaks.
- RumorGainsborough may use RDNA 3.5+ or RDNA 4m graphics, older than the RDNA 5 in the first leak. A separate post from another user gives it 12 graphics units.a hardware leaker with a strong track record, on social media · first seen Oct 2, 2026Holding Conflicts with the RDNA 5 claim. The video channel replied that even 12 units would “run circles around” AMD’s current chips outside its top Halo line.
- RumorValve has not yet decided whether to use the Gainsborough design or wait for something newer.a hardware leak video channel with a mixed track record · first seen Oct 1, 2026Holding
Steam Deck 2 vs Steam Deck OLED vs Steam Machine
Steam Deck OLED and Steam Machine specs are official. Steam Deck 2 lines are reports or rumors.
| Steam Deck OLED (on sale) | Steam Deck 2 (rumored) | Steam Machine (on sale, for context) | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Release | Official: Nov. 16, 2023 | Not announced. Rumor: late 2027 or 2028 | Official: June 22, 2026, through reservations |
| Price (US) | Official: $789 (512GB) or $949 (1TB) since May 27, 2026; launched at $549 and $649 | No price from Valve or a credible leak | Official: $1,049 (512GB) or $1,349 (2TB) |
| Chip | Official: 6nm AMD chip, 4 Zen 2 cores, 8 RDNA 2 graphics units, 4-15W | Reported: AMD “Gainsborough” chip in a driver, Valve link unconfirmed. Rumor: 3nm with Zen 6 and RDNA 5, or older RDNA 3.5+/4m graphics | Official: semi-custom AMD, 6 Zen 4 cores up to 4.8GHz, 28 RDNA 3 graphics units |
| Memory | Official: 16GB LPDDR5, 6400 MT/s | No credible leak | Official: 16GB DDR5 plus 8GB GDDR6 |
| Display | Official: 7.4-inch 1280x800 HDR OLED, up to 90Hz, 1,000 nits peak | Rumor: OLED, 900p, 90Hz (2024 forum post) | None: plugs into a TV or monitor |
| Battery | Official: 50Whr, 3 to 12 hours | No leak. Valve’s goal: a big jump in performance at the same battery life | None: runs on mains power |
| Storage | Official: 512GB or 1TB SSD, plus microSD | No credible leak | Official: 512GB or 2TB SSD, plus microSD |
| Weight | Official: about 640 g | No credible leak | Official: 2.6 kg |
Our stories
Steam MachineExplainer
Steam Machine price and release date: $1,049 and up, and you still need a reservation
5 min
- PC
Steam FrameExplainer
Steam Frame price and release date: $1,059, out since Sept. 14, but you may wait until 2027 to order
5 min
- Steam Frame
- PC
Nothing for this device yet.
Steam Deck 2 FAQ
When does Steam Deck 2 come out?
Rumor Valve has not given a date. It says it will talk about the next Deck “in the coming years”, and two leakers point to late 2027 or 2028.
Is Steam Deck 2 confirmed?
Confirmed Valve says it is “hard at work” on the next Steam Deck, but it has not announced a product, a name, a date or a price.
How much will Steam Deck 2 cost?
Confirmed There is no price from Valve or a credible leak. The current Steam Deck OLED costs $789 for 512GB and $949 for 1TB after Valve raised prices on May 27, 2026.
What are the Steam Deck 2 specs?
Rumor Unknown. An unannounced AMD chip codenamed Gainsborough turned up in an AMD driver, and leakers link it to the next Deck. They disagree on its graphics.
Why is Valve waiting?
Confirmed Valve says today’s chips can’t give a big enough jump in performance at the same battery life. It is not interested in “20 or 30 or even 50%” more.
Is Steam Machine a Steam Deck 2?
Confirmed No. Steam Machine is a living-room PC that plugs into a TV. It launched June 22, 2026, at $1,049, and Valve says it has over six times the horsepower of Steam Deck.
Will Steam Deck 2 play GTA 6?
Confirmed Not for now. GTA 6 launches Nov. 19, 2026, on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S only. Rockstar has not announced a PC version, so no Steam Deck can run it natively.
Should I buy a Steam Deck OLED now or wait?
Rumor Leakers say a new Deck is unlikely before late 2027. If you want a Valve handheld now, the OLED is the only handheld Valve still makes, and certified refurbished units cost up to 20% less.
Can I get SteamOS on another handheld?
Confirmed Yes, on some. Lenovo sells the Legion Go S with SteamOS and announced a SteamOS Legion Go 2. SteamOS updates keep adding support for the ROG Xbox Ally, MSI Claw, OneXPlayer and others.
Will Steam Deck 2 use an Arm chip?
Reported Valve has not said. Its engineer called Arm “possible” for a device on the order of Steam Deck. The newest chip report points to an AMD design.
Timeline
- Nov 16, 2023Confirmed Steam Deck OLED goes on sale at $549 (512GB) and $649 (1TB).
- Jan 18, 2024Rumor Reports on a Chinese forum post claim a next Deck in late 2026 with a 900p, 90Hz OLED screen.
- Oct 15, 2024Confirmed Valve designer Lawrence Yang: no yearly cadence; a true second Deck needs a generational leap without losing battery life.
- Jan 6, 2025Confirmed An AMD slide shows Steam Deck among Ryzen Z2 handhelds; Valve’s Griffais says there will be no Z2 Steam Deck.
- Jan 12, 2025Confirmed Griffais: no new hardware thinking until 2026 at least; a 20-30% gain is not enough.
- Mar 1, 2025Reported Reports on shipping records name an “Aerith Plus” AMD chip; Griffais replies “Not happening”.
- Aug 28, 2025Rumor A well-known leaker says Steam Deck 2 is planned for 2028.
- Nov 12, 2025Confirmed Valve announces Steam Controller, Steam Machine and Steam Frame. No new Steam Deck.
- Dec 20, 2025Confirmed Valve stops making the last Steam Deck LCD model.
- Feb 17, 2026Confirmed Valve warns Steam Deck OLED may be out of stock because of memory and storage shortages.
- Apr 2, 2026Rumor A well-known leaker repeats 2028 as Valve’s target, but says memory shortages could delay it.
- Apr 27, 2026Confirmed Griffais says Valve is “hard at work” on the next Steam Deck, with no date.
- May 27, 2026Confirmed Steam Deck OLED prices rise to $789 and $949.
- Jun 22, 2026Confirmed Steam Machine launches at $1,049 and $1,349.
- Jun 23, 2026Confirmed Griffais: chips are not yet right for a true handheld; Valve will talk about it “in the coming years”.
- Sep 14, 2026Confirmed Steam Frame launches at $1,059 and $1,299.
- Sep 14, 2026Confirmed Griffais: memory shortages have “not really” changed Steam Deck 2 plans.
- Oct 1, 2026Reported Reports say AMD’s Sept. 29 driver names an unannounced chip, “Gainsborough”; the link to a next Deck rests on the name.
- Oct 1, 2026Rumor A leak claims Gainsborough is a 3nm chip with Zen 6 and RDNA 5, for late 2027 or 2028.
- Oct 2, 2026Rumor A second leaker says Gainsborough may use older RDNA 3.5+ or RDNA 4m graphics, not the RDNA 5 in the first leak.
Keep exploring
Change log: every check and update (2)
- Tracker opened: 18 confirmed facts and 15 rumors and reports, each labeled and dated.
- Checked Valve’s Steam store: Steam Deck OLED at $789 and $949, no Steam Deck 2, no date and no price.