Valve says it is getting closer to developing the Steam Deck 2 it wants, although the processors currently entering the handheld gaming market still do not offer the right balance of performance, power consumption and battery life.
Speaking to IGN, Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais said the company has made progress since its previous update on the handheld.
“I’d say we’re closer than we were the last time we talked,” Griffais said. “We’re definitely getting there.”
That does not mean a Steam Deck successor is about to be announced, however. Valve has not provided a release window, specifications or a price for the device, and it’s immedate hardware focus remains on the Steam Machine, prices for which were announced today.
Current Handheld Chips Still Use Too Much Power
Valve’s main concern continues to be the efficiency of the processors available for portable gaming PCs.
According Griffais, newer chips are becoming powerful enough, but many still operate within power limits that do not suit the type of handheld experience Valve wants to provide.
“I would say that the new chips that are coming out are still in power envelopes that are not quite the right segment that you would want for a true handheld experience,” he explained.
Griffais added that many of the processors used in current handheld gaming Pcs are effectively lower-end laptop chips adapted for smaller devices. While that approach can deliver greater performance, it may also result in compromises involving power consumption, heat and battery life.
This follows Valve’s earlier position that a Steam Deck 2 must offer a meaningful generational improvement rather than a relatively modest performance increase. The company does not simply want to release a faster version of the existing Deck if it cannot also maintain the portability and efficiency that defined the original hardware.
Steam Deck 2 Still Has No Release Window
Valve has previously confirmed that it has a fairly clear idea of what it wants from its next handheld and that development work is underway. The remaining challenge is finding hardware capable of delivering those targets within an appropriate power envelope.
“We’re working towards our next gen for sure,” Griffais said. “We’ll definitely be talking about that in the coming years, but right now we’re focusing on Machine.”
The reference to “coming years” suggests players should not expect an imminent launch, even though Valve now considers the project closer to becoming viable.
For now, the Steam Deck OLED remains Valve’s latest handheld. It improved the original system’s display, battery life and efficiency, but was positioned as a revision of the existing Steam Deck rather than a full second-generation device.
FAQ
Is Valve developing a Steam Deck 2?
Yes. Valve has confirmed that it is working towards its next-generation handheld and says development is progressing, although the device has not been formally announced.
When will the Steam Deck 2 be released?
Valve has not announced a Steam Deck 2 release date or launch window. The company says it will discuss the device further in the coming years.
Why has Valve not released the Steam Deck 2 yet?
Valve believes current handheld processors still require too much power or involve unacceptable battery-life compromises. It wants the next Steam Deck to deliver a meaningful generational improvement rather than a modest performance upgrade.
What specifications will the Steam Deck 2 have?
Valve has not revealed the Steam Deck 2’s processor, display, memory, battery capacity or other specifications. The company has only discussed its broader performance and efficiency targets.
