When Valve launched the Steam Deck in 2022, it made waves in the gaming world by proving that handheld PC gaming could actually work. This wasn’t just marketing hype — Valve delivered a device that allowed players to carry their Steam libraries anywhere, and the industry took notice. Now in 2025, the Steam Deck is still going strong. It’s not flawless, and competition has grown fierce, but Valve’s handheld has evolved in meaningful ways that keep it relevant.
Steam Deck Today: The OLED Refresh
In late 2023, Valve rolled out the Steam Deck OLED, a major improvement over the original model. The new 7.4-inch OLED display delivers richer colors and sharper visuals, while the 90Hz refresh rate makes gameplay noticeably smoother. Add Wi-Fi 6E and extended battery life into the mix, and Valve managed to address many of the criticisms aimed at the first-generation model.
While newer handhelds have more powerful hardware, the Steam Deck has something they don’t: a robust software ecosystem. SteamOS has matured and expanded far beyond Valve’s own device. It now runs on competing handhelds like the Lenovo Legion Go S and Asus ROG Ally, extending Valve’s influence across the handheld PC market. Meanwhile, projects like Bazzite — a SteamOS-inspired alternative — have started replacing Windows on many AMD-powered handhelds, showing just how impactful Valve’s software approach has become.
The Competition Has Caught Up
Back in 2022, the Steam Deck’s biggest rival was the Nintendo Switch, along with a handful of underwhelming Windows handhelds. Fast forward to today, and the competition looks very different.
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Lenovo Legion Go S now ships with a Ryzen Z1 Extreme and 32GB RAM.
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ASUS ROG Ally and Ally X continue to receive updates that push them ahead in performance.
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MSI Claw has bounced back impressively, with the new MSI Claw 8 AI+ winning fans through consistent updates and the AMD-powered MSI Claw 8 generating fresh excitement.
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And now, anticipation is building for the upcoming ASUS ROG Xbox Ally and Ally X handhelds.
These devices undeniably outclass the Steam Deck in raw horsepower. Yet Valve’s handheld still has one undeniable advantage: it’s deeply integrated with Steam. From seamless game updates to developer optimizations and reliable plug-and-play performance, the Deck remains the most straightforward entry point into handheld PC gaming.
What’s Next for the Steam Deck?
Valve has confirmed that a true “Steam Deck 2” won’t arrive until at least 2026, but the rumor mill is already buzzing. Potential upgrades include:
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An improved OLED screen with native 900p resolution
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Wider refresh rate support
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Possible shift away from AMD hardware for the next generation
While nothing is official yet, one thing is clear: Valve sees the Steam Deck as more than a one-time experiment.
Personal Take: Why I Still Recommend the Deck
I’ve been with the Steam Deck since day one, pre-ordering the original model as soon as it was announced. When the OLED version arrived, I passed my first Deck down to my son and upgraded without hesitation. Even with today’s crowded market, I believe the Steam Deck remains one of the best entry points into handheld PC gaming — especially if you want affordability without sacrificing too much performance.
That said, I spend much of my current handheld gaming time on the ROG Ally X. Running Bazzite, it offers more power than the Deck, though at a higher cost. For me, that makes the Ally X my daily driver, while the Steam Deck remains my reliable fallback.
If you’re thinking of diving into handheld PC gaming in 2025, the Steam Deck is still the most user-friendly and cost-effective option out there. It’s like that first bike you never forget — simple, dependable, and always ready, until you’re ready to upgrade.
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