Gamers Fear Massive Steam Deck Price Hikes Amid Shortages

Anxiety is increasing around Steam Deck availability as the Valve portable consoles remain out of stock following new information that manufacturing has been impacted by the ongoing RAM Crisis.

The Steam Deck has held an unprecedented advantage over other handheld devices in recent years, even as the system has started to age. The ability to take most PC games anywhere on a device that doesn’t require cloud streaming has been invaluable to gamers who travel frequently or who don’t always have access to a PC.

However, trouble has been brewing for the Steam Deck, as AI-induced RAM shortages continue to pummel the production of the high-demand item. A new update from Valve about continued scarcity has prompted anxiety in those who haven’t yet purchased them, leading many to impulse buy them as soon as they become available.

Gamers Purchase Steam Deck Consoles From Other Countries

The decrease in availability and confirmation that restocks will be few and far between has led to panic among gamers who have been waiting to grab one of the consoles. Many were hoping to get them at a discount following a potential Steam Deck 2 announcement or after the release of the Steam Machine.

Now, many are stating that they have accelerated their purchase, even going so far as to pay reseller prices or attempt to purchase in-stock Steam Decks from other country store pages.

In a social media post by SomostEWGT, the gamer has stated that they have moved up their plans to get an OLED Steam Deck while they are still available in their area.

sooooo because of the shortage i bought the steam deck oled 1 month ealier pic.twitter.com/oqbHVEw0kp

— 💫 Somost 🇫🇷 💫 TRAILS IN THE SKY (@SomostEWGT) February 16, 2026

Meanwhile, others have been baffled by the markups of consoles on reseller websites, with one commenting, “I did not know the Steam Deck shortage was so bad the markups I'm seeing on ebay are insane.”

I did not know the steam deck shortage was so bad the markups I'm seeing on ebay are insane

— Chris - cannot focus on one game guy (@ZeBlaze_V) February 20, 2026

Unfortunately, many are choosing to pay the marked-up prices, with the argument that a mixture of tariffs and RAM shortages will drive the console up once it is back in stock, so it won’t matter if they pay more to resellers.

The Steam Deck isn’t the only console struggling with the current manufacturing conditions, and at this time, it doesn’t appear that any relief will come in the near future.

• Steam Issues Biggest Hardware Price-Hike Gamers Have Ever Seen
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• Steam Deck OLED Sells Out, Restock Unlikely After Important Valve Update
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