Less than a week after Valve admitted that soaring RAM prices and global supply constraints were disrupting its hardware roadmap, the Steam Deck has officially sold out across the board. While the handheld has fluctuated in availability before, the timing of this total stockout has raised concerns that the ongoing memory crisis is directly impacting Valve’s flagship Linux device.
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Currently, every tier of the device is unavailable on the Steam storefront, including the 256GB LCD model and both the 512GB and 1TB OLED versions. The absence of the 256GB LCD model was expected, as Valve announced in December 2025 that it would discontinue the LCD line once existing inventory was depleted. However, the simultaneous disappearance of both premium OLED models is a much more unusual development that suggests a broader supply chain bottleneck.
The volatility in the hardware market is largely being driven by the artificial intelligence industry, which has consumed massive quantities of high-performance memory. This shortage has already forced other manufacturers to pivot; for instance, Framework recently increased the price of its Desktop by as much as $460 to compensate for rising costs. Analysts warn that if this trend continues, the wider PC industry could face significant price hikes or even a broader economic downturn.
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Valve had already signalled trouble when it unveiled the Steam Machine, Steam Controller, and Steam Frame. Notably, the company declined to provide firm pricing or release dates for those new products, citing tariffs and fluctuating access to RAM. While Valve did not explicitly state that the Steam Deck would be affected at that time, the current “Out of Stock” status across its entire lineup suggests the handheld is no longer immune to these market pressures.
Valve has been contacted for comment regarding whether this is a temporary logistical gap or a sign of a more permanent pricing adjustment. In the past, the company has worked aggressively to keep the Steam Deck affordable, often absorbing costs to maintain its competitive edge. However, with memory costs reaching critical levels, it remains to be seen if Valve can avoid a price hike once the OLED models eventually return to the store.
