Valve, the company behind the successful launch of the Steam Deck in 2022, has announced that the long-awaited Steam Deck 2 won't be available until at least the end of 2025, and it doesn't even rule out that it could be later.
This news dismisses all the rumors about the release of the new Steam Deck 2 that had been circulating in recent months, and many platform enthusiasts have already expressed their disappointment over the long wait.
Why will the Steam Deck 2 wait be so long?
Here we tell you everything we know.
The launch of the original Steam Deck in February 2022 marked a milestone in the world of handheld consoles and created an unexpected market. Since then, competition in this sector has grown considerably, and fans eagerly awaited news of a potential successor. However, the news of the Steam Deck 2 came with the surprising prospect of a significantly delayed launch.
Pierre-Loup Griffais, one of Valve's executives, has provided additional information about the Steam Deck 2 and explained that the delay is due to the need to balance performance with energy efficiency and battery consumption. Valve aims to prevent a performance increase from significantly impacting the console's battery life, and they are willing to wait until they can achieve that balance.
Griffais commented: "Changing the performance level is not something we take lightly. We don't want the increased performance to come at a significant cost in terms of energy efficiency and battery consumption. We anticipate that jump won't be possible for a couple of years."
However, Valve says it's closely monitoring advancements in semiconductors and architecture to ensure the Steam Deck 2 delivers exceptional performance without compromising battery life.
The original Steam Deck has proven capable of running a wide variety of games, but Valve acknowledges that there are hardware limitations. Users have attempted to play demanding or poorly optimized titles on the console, such as The Last of Us Part 1, Starfield, and Mortal Kombat 1, but have always had to accept the hardware limitations. Valve has worked on improvements, such as those incorporated in SteamOS 3.5, to expand the Steam Deck's capabilities.
The good news is that while the Steam Deck 2 is still in development, Valve is considering releasing an upgraded version of the original Steam Deck, known as "Steam Deck 1.5." This version would focus on improving efficiency and battery life while maintaining the performance of the original console.
This strategy follows the example of Nintendo, which launched an OLED version of the Switch to improve the gaming experience. Additionally, Valve is considering implementing a variable refresh rate display, a feature that could further enhance the gaming experience, following the example of competitors like the ASUS ROG Ally .
What's new in the Steam Deck 2
1. Improved Display: Higher Resolution and Refresh Rate
One of the highlights of the Steam Deck 2 will be its improved display. The new version is rumored to feature a higher-resolution OLED or IPS display, with a potential refresh rate upgrade to 120Hz , which would offer a smoother, sharper visual experience compared to the original model. This improvement will especially benefit faster-paced games, where a higher refresh rate is crucial for a smoother gameplay experience.
2. Performance Improvements: AMD Ryzen Z1 and More Powerful GPU
The Steam Deck 2 is said to come equipped with the new AMD Ryzen Z1 processor and an upgraded GPU, which would mean a significant jump in graphics performance and overall system speed. These components would allow more demanding games to run more efficiently, with improved frame rates and faster loading times. The new CPU and GPU architecture would be specifically designed for laptop gaming, which would improve battery life without sacrificing performance.
3. Better Battery: More Autonomy for Long Games
In an effort to offer a longer gaming experience, the Steam Deck 2 could feature a larger or more efficient battery, allowing for longer hours of gameplay between charges. While the original model's battery life is already decent, Valve is expected to optimize power usage with more efficient components and better power management, allowing users to play AAA titles for longer periods of time without having to recharge the device.
4. More Ergonomic and Slightly Slimmer Design
The Steam Deck 2 could also see some design changes, with a focus on improving ergonomics and comfort during long gaming sessions. The console is expected to be slightly thinner and lighter than its predecessor, which would make it easier to use for extended periods. Additionally, Valve could introduce improvements to the controls , such as more precise joysticks or additional buttons to improve the user experience.
5. More Game Compatibility and Better Support for SteamOS 4.0
The Steam Deck 2 will also feature deeper integration with SteamOS 4.0 , delivering an operating system optimized for the handheld console. With improvements to game compatibility, users will be able to access a wider range of titles from the Steam library, including AAA and indie games that require more powerful hardware. The Steam Deck 2 is also expected to be easier to use, with a more polished user interface and additional options to customize the gaming experience.
6. Improved Connectivity: New Port Options and 5G Support
The Steam Deck 2 could include improved connectivity options, such as additional ports or 5G support. This would open up new possibilities for gamers, allowing for faster cloud gaming and better integration with high-performance peripherals. With support for Wi-Fi 6 and the ability to connect to faster cellular networks, the Steam Deck 2 could offer a more stable and smoother online gaming experience.
In short, Steam Deck fans will have to wait until at least 2025 for the arrival of the Steam Deck 2. Valve is committed to balancing performance with energy efficiency and battery life, which could delay the launch of this highly anticipated handheld console. Meanwhile, Valve is also considering improvements to the original Steam Deck, which could give users an even more satisfying gaming experience.