The Steam Deck OLED handheld will receive a significant price increase in a number of Asian territories next month. Starting on March 6, 2026, the SteamOS handheld will see a price increase across Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan.
Confirmed by KOMODO in a press release on Japanese gaming outlet Famitsu, all current versions of the Steam Deck OLED will see a ¥15,000 price hike. This means that the 512GB OLED model will now cost ¥99,800 in Japan instead of ¥84,800, and the 1TB model will cost ¥114,800 instead of ¥99,800.
In South Korea the models are seeing a KRW 60,000 jump to KRW 898,000 and KRW 1,048,000 respectively. As for Taiwan, gamers will see the smallest price increase with the 512GB model jumping from TWD 18,880 and the 1TB model jumping from TWD 21,980 to TWD 22,480.
As stock across the world runs out due to the ongoing worldwide RAM shortage caused by AI, many are concerned about price increases for the handheld. With the ongoing RAM shortages, many around the world are unable to buy any of Valve’s handhelds, and Valve’s upcoming Steam Machine launch may also suffer.
While RAM shortages may be an easy finger to point at, Komodo claims that the recent price increases are actually due to increases in shipping and logistics costs, the price of storing, handling, and delivering the handhelds to customers. Additionally, the company also notes currency volatility as a reason behind the price increases.
It’s not known if price increases will also be coming to other regions across the world as a result of the RAM shortages. Right now, many console manufactures are attempting to hold back on further price increases of their machines, although the newly-releases Nintendo Switch 2 is reportedly going to see a price hike later this year.
As AI datacenters continue to buy up not just manufactured RAM, but raw, unrefined silicon wafers, the cost of the component has skyrocketed. Via The LA Times, the price of RAM has already hit levels of “hyperinflation” with Sony looking to delay the release of the PlayStation 6 to the end of the decade to avoid a massive hit.
Additionally, the RAM shortage is expected to last several years as RAM production lines bend the knee to AI companies instead of consumers. Lenovo Group CEO Yang Yuanqing explained in a recent earnings call that the “structural imbalance between supply and demand is not simply a short-term fluctuation” with electronics manufactures expected to front the cost.
Nevertheless, Valve has not announced any price increases for the Steam Deck due to the cost of RAM right now, although it is possible. All we can suggest is maybe looking to the pre-owned market if you want to grab a Steam Deck soon and for a reasonable price, although even sites like eBay are not free from price increases.
For some happier, more enjoyable Steam Deck coverage, read about how the handheld has pretty much single-handedly replaced my Xbox. Additionally, check out something fun but unrelated like this interview with Warhammer designer Jervis Johnson about how much AI sucks. It’s fun.
