Should you wait for Steam Deck 2 or buy the Steam Deck?

Modified Apr 22, 2024 12:57 GMT

The internet is flooded with Steam Deck 2 rumors. While there is no official information about the device, it will definitely be a bigger upgrade than its predecessor. But we don’t know when it will be in the market. A few months ago, we saw the OLED version of the Valve’s handheld, boasting slightly better specs. A new variant coming soon seems highly unlikely as many reports suggest its release after two to three years.

Should you wait for the updated version or go for the available system? Personally, getting the Steam Deck is looking like a better option as it's available at a reasonable price and offers good specs. However, there are other factors to consider, and this article explores them to help you make an informed decision.

Note: This article is subjective and based on the author's opinion.

Steam Deck 2: Everything we know so far

Valve is planning to devise an improved system (Image via Unsplash/Edgar Almeida)

The rumored handheld will undoubtedly feature significantly better hardware than its original version. We might see Zen 4 and RDNA 3 processors, or better. It's also safe to assume a better display and improved battery life.

The original Valve machine has an LCD screen with a 60Hz refresh rate. However, the refreshed Steam Deck OLED system features a better display with a higher refresh rate. We might see these or bigger upgrades in the next generation. Moreover, we might see a higher PPI and variable refresh rate (VRR) support.

The first-generation console is a hefty device. Furthermore, Valve would plan to make the next interaction more comfortable to hold for long gaming sessions. The other requirement for uninterrupted extended playtime is battery life. Valve surely will be working on this segment as well.

Another aspect in Valve's favor is its software, which is lightweight, not very resource intensive, and highly gaming centric. So, combining it with a powerful CPU and GPU will result in an improved performance in the upcoming handheld.

The other reason the Steam Deck is so popular among the gaming community is its price-to-feature ratio. It currently has three variants: $399 (64GB), $529 (256GB), and $649 (512GB). Assuming the improvements, there will be a slight change in the pricing for the future console, but multiple experts and reports suggest the pricing to start below $500. Fans would consider this a godsend.

Is Steam Deck worth having?

Base specifications of the console (Image via Steam Deck)

You can play games marked as “Payable on Steam Deck” from your Steam library with a 60Hz refresh rate, which isn't ideal, but the experience is smooth. The base specifications of the device are as follows:

Specifications	Steam Deck
Display	7.4-inch, 1280x800 display
Processor	7nm AMD APU
RAM	16GB LPDDRM5
Battery	40Whr
OS	SteamOS
Weight	Around 670 grams
Storage	Up to 512GB
Price	Starts at $399

These specs are good enough to run high-end games like Final Fantasy 7 Remake Intergrade, Elden Ring, and Cyberpunk 2077 without any issues. But ensure you're near a charging point, as it runs only a few hours on high settings. It also gets a little warm. The OLED version with slight improvements is also available for purchase.

Should you buy the device available now or wait for the next-gen console?

Rather than waiting for the rumored device, you should get a Steam Deck now. Neither do we know when it will arrive, nor the specs it will come with. It will definitely be an improvement, but the extent is still under wraps. The current iteration of the console, whether the base or the OLED, is quite capable of offering an impressive gaming session.

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Edited by Angad Sharma