Valve Reveals There Won’t Be a Steam Deck 2 Anytime Soon
In an interview with Valve designer Jay Shaw and software engineer Jeremy Selan, it was revealed that the upcoming Steam Deck OLED is not a full replacement for the original handheld PC, and that a true next-generation Steam Deck is still a few years away. Despite the OLED version’s upgrades, including improved battery life and efficiency, Valve believes that a generational leap in performance is necessary before considering a Steam Deck 2.
The Challenge of Balancing Tradeoffs
According to Shaw, one of the core challenges in product design is finding the right balance between cost, performance, and battery life. While the Steam Deck OLED could have been made more powerful, Valve opted to prioritize battery life and efficiency for the best user experience. Selan adds that tuning current-generation hardware is one thing, but equipping a next-gen Steam Deck with significantly higher performance capabilities would require technology that does not yet exist.
Longer Battery Life and Power Efficiency
The Steam Deck OLED boasts efficiency improvements compared to the original model, resulting in up to 59% more uptime before the battery runs out. While it may not match the graphics power of other handheld devices like the Asus ROG Ally, its longer battery life makes it an appealing option for portable gaming.
The Future of the Steam Deck Range
While the next-generation Steam Deck is years away, Valve assures that they will continue exploring alternative designs and color options for the current lineup. The Steam Deck OLED Limited Edition, featuring a translucent design with vibrant orange accents, is an example of their desire to offer more variety to customers. The design team is excited about the possibility of introducing different colors and fun elements in the future.
In conclusion, while the Steam Deck OLED brings notable improvements over its predecessor, Valve is focused on a future generation of the device that offers a significant leap in performance. In the meantime, users can enjoy the enhanced battery life and efficiency of the OLED version, and look forward to potential new designs and color options in the Steam Deck range.