Steam Deck 2 Could Release in 2028, Though Valve May Delay It Due to Memory Crisis

If you have been wishing Valve to release the Steam Deck 2 early, there’s some bad news for you. A new claim about the Steam Deck 2 release window is making rounds online, all thanks to a well-known industry tipster who goes by the name KeplerL2 (via Wccftech).

According to the tipster, Valve is targeting a 2028 launch for its next handheld, though that timeline could still shift depending on how the broader hardware market evolves.

The details were shared by KeplerL2 in a recent NeoGaf discussion forum. When asked whether the next Steam Deck might slip to 2029, the tipster responded that Valve was aiming for 2028, but also pointed out that the ongoing RAM and NAND situation could delay things further. The same memory crunch has already affected the current Steam Deck lineup, which recently saw the LCD model quietly phased out in several markets.

Interestingly, a potential delay may not be entirely bad news. The insider noted that, unlike consoles such as PlayStation 6 or Project Helix, Valve is not tied to a semi-custom SoC approach. In simple terms, that gives the company more flexibility to improve hardware over time. If the launch slips, the Steam Deck 2 could actually end up with better specs than originally planned.

Speaking of handhelds, let’s not forget that Nintendo might increase the price of the Switch 2 down the line, according to a former sales lead. As for the Steam Deck 2, there’s no official word from Valve, but the direction seems clear. The Steam Deck 2 is still a few years away, and its final form may depend just as much on the memory market as Valve’s own roadmap.