Valve Plans a Significant Upgrade for Steam Deck 2, Aiming for Major Performance Enhancements

Valve is set to offer more than just a minor enhancement to the Steam Deck, as significant advancements in technology are on the horizon for the handheld gaming device. Despite operating with an older AMD APU, the Steam Deck remains a top choice for portable PC gaming, establishing a benchmark that rivals like the Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go seek to achieve.

In a recent conversation, Steam Deck creators Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehyyat revealed that the forthcoming successor will feature substantial tech improvements. Yang mentioned that Valve is not interested in releasing "incrementally better" versions each year. The company aims to introduce a standout second generation of the Steam Deck only when they can achieve a notable increase in computing power without compromising battery life.

This perspective aligns with various insights regarding the anticipated release of the Steam Deck 2. In March 2023, Yang informed Rock Paper Shotgun that a genuine next-gen device with a significant enhancement in performance is several years away. Furthermore, during the Tokyo Game Show 2023, Valve developer Pierre-Loup Griffais shared with CNBC that the team remains focused on the existing Steam Deck while looking to meet a performance goal set for the next few years. Thus, it appears the Steam Deck 2 won't debut until at least 2026.

The timing aligns well with recent developments, as Australian consumers can now purchase the Steam Deck directly from Valve, rather than relying on third-party sellers. This official release indicates growing confidence in the handheld's future.

Although Valve has not yet disclosed the specific chip intended for the Steam Deck 2, it is clear that it will offer impressive capabilities. AMD's newest mobile unit, the Ryzen 7 8840U, shows a performance advantage over the current Aerith AMD APU.

Analysis from a test of Batman Arkham Knight conducted by a user on X revealed that the new processor can achieve 7% more frames per second than the existing model, reaching 51.7fps compared to the Aerith’s 48.3fps. This data was gathered using the same 10W of power that the Steam Deck currently utilizes, illustrating that this new mobile processor has the potential to deliver enhanced performance while maintaining equivalent battery efficiency.

While this particular chip may not be the one Valve chooses for the Steam Deck 2 due to the inevitable advancements that will arise by its release, it certainly indicates that the necessary components for a significant technological leap will be available when Valve moves forward with their plans.