It’s no secret that the Steam Deck still has a strong hold on the PC handheld market, even four years after Valve initially launched the device, and then followed it up with an OLED model more than a year and a half later. While a growing number of people may think the device is now outdated – particularly after multiple generations of alternatives like the Legion Go and ROG Ally – it’s safe to say the existing Deck models remain highly relevant.

We’ve recently polled our readers to gather their thoughts on how relevant the Steam Deck is right now, and whether it’s time for Valve to deliver a sequel (presumably called the Steam Deck 2). At the time of writing, 67% of respondents believe the device is still relevant, though more than half of this group say only the OLED model is worth your time these days.

Steam Deck 2 feels like a long way away right now

Fewer than 10% (7% right now) say more recent handhelds like the Xbox Ally are “way better” than the Steam Deck. We’ll keep the poll up and running if you still want to have your say. Just over a quarter (26%) say it’s “about time for a Steam Deck 2,” though given the current climate, it’s difficult to imagine this will be happening any time soon.

Valve is still struggling to get its 2026 hardware launches out the door – namely the Steam Machine, Steam Frame, and new Steam Controller – and current predictions for the handheld sequel place the release sometime in 2028. Many of the alternatives are Windows handhelds, though Valve has partnered with Lenovo to release a couple of models that ship with SteamOS, including the Legion Go 2 in June this year.

Steam Deck stock levels have been hit lately, with all variants now unavailable in the U.S., and a growing number of regions are running out of stock. Valve blames this on memory and storage shortages, the same reason for Steam Machine delays, so it makes sense to assume that the company is putting all its resources into the 2026 launches. Plus, it’s hard to really know when we’ll be free from this so-called ‘RAMpocolypse’ or ‘RAMmageddon’. Epic boss Tim Sweeney predicts “several years”.

Perhaps we should think of the Deck as a console in terms of lifespan. Seven years passed between the PS3 and PS4, then another seven for the PS5, each providing a generational leap in performance. Valve wants to do the same thing. The popularity of the Steam Deck means developers continue to support it despite its aging hardware, all in the name of earning a shiny green ‘Verified’ badge. So, we think it’s easy to agree that the handheld is not ‘outdated’ just yet.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.