Key Takeaways
1. Rumors about a Steam Deck 2 are circulating, but there’s no solid proof yet.
2. AMD is working on a new APU called ‘Aerith Plus,’ featuring enhanced specifications.
3. Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais dismissed the idea of a Ryzen Z2-powered Steam Deck, suggesting a new APU is more likely.
4. The ‘Aerith Plus’ APU may be intended for the upcoming Deckard VR headset, expected to be expensive.
5. Ongoing speculation about the Steam Deck 2 continues, with no major announcements yet.
Rumors about a possible successor to the Steam Deck have circulated online several times over the past year, even if there’s no solid proof to support those claims. Nevertheless, it’s clear that a Steam Deck 2—or whatever Valve decides to call it—is being worked on, and the company has mentioned that it will offer a ‘generational leap’ in performance while maintaining efficiency.
New APU Leak
A recently uncovered shipping document, highlighted through tweets by @Olrak29_, shows that AMD is working on a new APU known as ‘Aerith Plus’ with some intriguing specifications. The details reveal that the Aerith Plus APU will feature a boost clock reaching 3.8 GHz, a 1.8 GHz integrated GPU, and a thermal design power (TDP) of 20 watts. For those who might not know, ‘Aerith’ is the code used for the APU in the current Steam Deck, and the ‘Plus’ variant seems to suggest that enhancements are on the horizon—or maybe not?
Speculation and Doubts
Pierre-Loup Griffais, who previously dismissed the rumors about a Ryzen Z2-powered Steam Deck, has once again squashed the speculation regarding this leak. His comment on BlueSky simply says “Not happening,” offering no additional context. Given that Valve has made it clear that the next Steam Deck will feature significant performance upgrades, it seems likely that AMD will create a completely new APU rather than just updating the existing ‘Plus’ version.
The VR Connection
It’s also plausible that the ‘Aerith Plus’ APU is meant for the rumored Deckard VR headset, anticipated to launch later this year at a staggering price that could exceed $1000. As with all rumors and leaks, it’s wise to approach this information cautiously. We have yet to see any major disclosures regarding the Steam Deck 2, and it’s safe to say that speculations will keep flowing for the time being.
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