Key Takeaways
1. A rumor suggests the Steam Deck 2 could be released in 2028, as stated by hardware expert KeplerL2.
2. Valve’s Lawrence Yang indicated that a next-generation Steam Deck will only debut when significant performance improvements are achievable.
3. The longer development cycle for the Steam Deck 2 may allow AMD to advance its future APU designs.
4. The original Steam Deck, released in February 2022, remains a top choice among handheld gaming devices, especially after the OLED refresh in November 2023.
5. Approach the rumor with caution, as while KeplerL2 has a reliable history, confirmation of this timeline is still needed.
The previous time we discussed the Steam Deck 2, most of the conversation revolved around Valve’s overall plans for hardware. This included speculation about a potential new home console and a closer partnership with Sony in the portable gaming market. Recently, however, a new rumor has emerged that sharpens the focus on the Steam Deck’s next version, suggesting it could be released in 2028.
Rumor Details
This information comes from a hardware expert named KeplerL2, who made a short post on the gaming forum NeoGAF, stating simply, “Steam Deck 2 is 2028.” Although this comment lacks detailed information, it reinforces earlier remarks from Valve’s Lawrence Yang. In late 2023, Yang mentioned that a genuine “next-generation” Steam Deck would not debut until significant performance enhancements were achievable. The current model, the Steam Deck OLED, is priced at $769.99 on Amazon.
Implications of the 2028 Release
If KeplerL2’s assertion is correct, a release in 2028 indicates that Valve is opting for a longer development cycle for its handheld devices. This approach would also give AMD’s future APU designs the time they need to develop and advance.
The original Steam Deck was released in February 2022 and has quickly become a top choice in the handheld PC gaming category. It ranks among the best-selling gaming handhelds, right behind the Nintendo Switch, which is quite an accomplishment. The device is powered by a customized AMD APU and operates on SteamOS, featuring Proton compatibility. The OLED refresh that came out in November 2023 improved display quality and efficiency due to its 6nm manufacturing process but did not overhaul the hardware significantly. You can find our review of the Steam Deck OLED here.
Caution with Rumors
As with any leak, it’s important to approach this information with some skepticism, even though KeplerL2 has a reliable history. The rumor aligns with Valve’s previously shared views, so we will need to keep an eye out for any updates that confirm this timeline.
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