Valve says it is no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model, and it will be unavailable once remaining stock sells through. With that change, the least-expensive new Steam Deck becomes the 512GB OLED model priced at $549, raising the entry cost for buyers who were aiming for the prior $399 option. For many players, the upbeat silver lining is that Valve’s OLED lineup offers upgrades like longer battery life and a higher-refresh display—while Valve also says it will keep supporting existing LCD units through future software updates.

Highlights:

• US availability: The $399 LCD 256GB Steam Deck is shown as out of stock on Valve’s US store page, alongside a note explaining the model won’t return after it sells out.
• Refurbished cleared: Engadget reports Valve’s refurbished inventory of LCD Steam Decks has also been cleared out, reducing lower-cost buying options beyond new retail stock.
• Top-tier pricing: Valve’s current OLED lineup steps up to at least $649 for the 1TB configuration, framing a wider spread between entry and premium models than when LCD options were still sold new.
• Phase-out pattern: The LCD wind-down follows Valve previously discontinuing other LCD configurations, including the original 64GB option and later the 512GB LCD version.
• Upgrade context: Liliputing notes that when Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED, it reduced the LCD 256GB price to $399 and removed the 64GB eMMC model, setting up the current transition where OLED fully replaces LCD as the entry point.

Perspectives:

• Valve: Valve notes it is no longer producing the Steam Deck LCD 256GB model and says it plans to keep supporting LCD models with future software updates. (Engadget)
• The Verge: The Verge describes the LCD discontinuation as disappointing because it shifts the lowest-priced Steam Deck from $399 to the $549 OLED tier. (The Verge)
• Tom's Hardware: Tom’s Hardware highlights that the $399 LCD version is being discontinued and will only remain available while existing stock lasts, making $549 the new starting price. (Tom's Hardware)

Sources:

• The LCD Steam Deck is done - The Verge - google.com
• The LCD Steam Deck is done - theverge.com
• Valve discontinues the most affordable Steam Deck — $399 LCD version on the way out as new starting point is $549 - tomshardware.com
• Valve discontinued the last remaining LCD model of the Steam Deck - engadget.com
• The Steam Deck LCD has been discontinued, making the Steam Deck 512GB OLED the new entry-level option - liliputing.com
• Steam Deck LCD production is ending — the budget handheld gaming PC will no longer be available once stock is gone - reddit.com