Steam Deck: Generational Leap Planned, No Annual Upgrades

Unlike the annual upgrade cycle common among smartphones, Valve has confirmed that the Steam Deck won't receive yearly releases. This article delves into the reasoning behind this decision, as explained by Steam Deck designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat.

Valve's Approach: A Generational Leap, Not Annual Increments

"Not Fair to Customers," Say Steam Deck Designers

Valve has explicitly stated that the Steam Deck will not follow the annual hardware release cycle prevalent in the smartphone and some handheld console markets. Designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat explained their rationale in a recent interview with Reviews.org.

Yang highlighted their disinterest in the "yearly cadence" adopted by competitors, stating, "We’re not going to do a bump every year. There’s no reason to do that. And, honestly, from our perspective, that’s kind of not really fair to your customers to come out with something so soon that’s only incrementally better."

Valve's priority is delivering substantial, "generational leap" upgrades, without compromising battery life. This ensures that future iterations justify the wait and investment.

Aldehayyat emphasized Valve's focus on addressing user needs, particularly concerning PC gaming outside traditional desktop environments. While acknowledging significant progress, the team recognizes "a lot of room for improvement." They welcome competition, viewing it as beneficial for gamers. The Steam Deck's innovative touchpads, for example, provide advantages in PC game navigation that other handhelds, like the ROG Ally, currently lack. As Aldehayyat noted, "We would love if other companies use touchpads."

Discussing features they wish were included in the Steam Deck OLED, Aldehayyat cited variable refresh rate (VRR) as a top priority. They expressed regret over its absence, despite user demand and internal desire for its inclusion. Yang clarified that the OLED model was a refinement of the original vision, not a second-generation device.

Beyond VRR, the team is actively exploring battery life improvements, acknowledging current technological limitations. Significant advancements in this area will likely necessitate a new Steam Deck version or a true Steam Deck 2.

Concerns about falling behind competitors like the Asus ROG Ally and Ayaneo products are addressed by Valve's perspective. They don't view the situation as an "arms race," but rather as an exciting period of innovation. They welcome the diverse design choices emerging in the market. Aldehayyat stated, "We love the idea that a lot of companies are working on improving the experience of playing games outside of your office or away from your computer… We’re very excited about it and we’re kind of curious to see where that ends up being."

Steam Deck Officially Launches in Australia This November

The global rollout of the Steam Deck may have influenced Valve's strategy. Only recently, over two years after its initial release, did Valve officially launch the Steam Deck in Australia this November 2024, as announced at PAX Australia. A precise release date remains unannounced.

Prior to this, Australian consumers relied on unofficial channels. Regarding the delay, Yang explained, "It takes a very long time to get everything buttoned up in terms of financial due diligence, and then setting up all the logistics and warehousing and shipping and returns and all that kind of stuff."

Aldehayyat added, "Australia was on the list of countries we wanted to be in during the first day of even designing the product… It was certified the same time the US and Europe and Asia was certified," but lacked the necessary infrastructure for returns processing.

Currently, the Steam Deck's official availability remains limited to several countries, including the United States, Canada, much of Europe, and parts of Asia (Taiwan, Hong Kong, South Korea, and Japan via Komodo). Many regions, including Mexico, Brazil, and parts of Southeast Asia, lack official sales channels, limiting access to support and warranties.