Valve is keen on developing a Steam Deck 2, but don't expect a faster version soon. Pierre-Loup Griffais, a key figure at Valve, recently told media outlets that a more powerful version of the handheld gaming device might not appear until late 2025 or later. The company wants to ensure that any performance leap doesn't negatively affect battery life, as reported by The Verge.
Griffais explained via email, “It's important to us that the Deck offers a fixed performance target for developers, and that the message to customers is simple, where every Deck can play the same games.” The company's focus remains on performance and power efficiency as they await advances in technology that could make a faster Steam Deck viable. While the device can still play current PC games, the task is becoming more challenging due to graphically intensive titles like “The Last of Us Part I,” “Redfall,” and “Starfield.”
Possible improvements on the horizon
Though Valve isn't planning major performance upgrades, the company is considering more minor tweaks to the existing Steam Deck—from improving the screen and battery life to targeted software optimisations. Griffais and fellow designer Lawrence Yang revealed that these two features—screen and battery—are their top priorities for future iterations.
The company may also explore options like employing AMD's technologies to optimise chip performance or introducing a better screen to enhance the perceived framerate. Speculations abound about Valve's other mysterious projects, from standalone VR headsets to living-room PCs, but for now, the focus remains on refining the current Steam Deck.
