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Valve says LCD Steam Deck parts are still coming
Valve and iFixit say replacement parts for the LCD Steam Deck are not going away, after battery supply fears sparked concern online.
Image: Gizmodo
Valve and iFixit say rumors about the end of replacement-part support for the original LCD Steam Deck were overblown. The concern started with a Reddit post quoting iFixit customer service, which said it was “looking less likely we will continue receiving OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries, and we are actively evaluating aftermarket options.”
That set off fears that support for Valve’s older handheld was winding down. But iFixit CEO Karl Weins later said on Twitter that Valve had sent a fresh batch of batteries, and Valve separately told The Verge that iFixit would keep getting “the same OEM parts sourced through Valve’s partners that they always have.”
Battery availability matters because the Steam Deck’s 40Wh lithium polymer battery is one of the parts most likely to need replacement as capacity drops over time. iFixit also said it has an aftermarket supplier ready if Valve ever stops providing first-party batteries. Wiens told The Verge he suspects Valve may simply have underestimated demand.
Even so, questions remain about how long Valve plans to support a handheld you can no longer buy new. The company discontinued the 256GB Steam Deck LCD late last year in favor of the Steam Deck OLED. When it launched in 2023, the OLED model cost more than the LCD version, but added a 50Wh battery and a 7.4-inch display.
Since then, prices have climbed. Gizmodo says Valve raised prices on all remaining Steam Deck models this year, putting a 1TB unit at $950. The site also notes that there are currently no Certified Refurbished units in stock on Steam, leaving buyers to search aftermarket sellers and eBay. Competing handhelds are hardly cheaper: the Asus ROG Xbox Ally X is listed at $1,000, while the MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ reaches $1,800.
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For existing LCD Steam Deck owners, the immediate problem appears resolved. The bigger uncertainty is how long Valve can keep those repairs going as its older hardware ages and replacement demand grows.
Culture Editor
Maya explores gaming, streaming, and the internet as a place where people actually live. From deep-dives into creator economies to the anthropology of digital communities, she tracks platform drama and cultural shifts so you don't have to. She believes the best tech stories are fundamentally about human behavior.
via Gizmodo
