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Since its release the Steam Deck has become one of the most popular portable devices for PC gamers. In recent months, however, the situation has begun to change noticeably. Significant price increases caused by rising memory costs have likely led to a sharp decline in interest in the hardware. The latest analyses suggest a large fall in sales within just a few weeks of the price changes. Valve does not publish official figures, but available estimates show a clear trend. All signs point to the Steam Deck facing one of its toughest periods since its debut.
Price hikes led to a sharp fall in sales
According to an analysis by Boiling Steam, Steam Deck sales fell sharply after the May price increases. The report's authors base their calculations on data from Steam's best-sellers list. Estimates show the device dropped from fifth to fourteenth place in the best-sellers ranking. Such a change could mean an 82% drop in weekly sales. That would see weekly units sold fall from about 11 to 18 thousand in 2025 to just 1.4 to 3 thousand in July 2026. Despite the higher prices, the manufacturer did not see revenue growth. On the contrary, analysts estimate Steam Deck revenue could have fallen by around 72%. This shows how strongly the price rises influenced customers' decisions.
Valve may be feeling the effects of competition and the device approaching the end of its life cycle
Experts note that weaker sales are due not only to the device's higher price. The Steam Deck has been on the market for several years, so interest in the hardware may have naturally waned. Many users are also waiting for a Steam Deck 2, although Valve has repeatedly stressed that a new generation will arrive only when a significant boost in performance is possible. Another challenge is competition from other handheld gaming PCs, such as the ASUS ROG Ally X. Analysts predict that if competing devices do not become more expensive or Valve does not lower Steam Deck prices, demand may remain at its current low level. It is worth remembering, however, that the figures presented are only estimates based on an analysis of sales on the Steam platform. Valve has still not disclosed official results. The coming months will show whether the manufacturer decides to change its pricing strategy or speeds up work on a successor to its handheld device.
The latest estimates suggest that the Steam Deck's price increases may have significantly dampened interest in the device. The decline in sales and revenue shows the market for handheld gaming PCs is becoming increasingly demanding. Valve now faces a decision whether to stick with its current strategy or try to win back customers by adjusting prices or introducing a new generation of hardware.
Source: TechPowerUp
