Leaker claims Steam Deck 2 targeting 2028 launch

Valve has continued to remain firm on its plans to not release a Steam Deck 2 until there was a true generational leap in performance. As it turns out, that leap may not be far off, as it has been claimed that the Steam Deck 2 was being planned for 2028. 

According to KeplerL2, who regularly appears in PC hardware leaks, the Steam Deck 2 had been targeting a 2028 release window, six years on from the original handheld's debut. This time around, it is claimed that Valve is not opting for a semi-custom SoC, which could ease up the manufacturing costs.

While all of this might be true, the ongoing RAM and NAND shortages are already giving Valve trouble in the hardware market. The company had planned to release a new Steam Machine mini-PC in early 2026, alongside a new standalone VR headset called the Steam Frame. However, both have been delayed, and prices are likely to be higher than initially planned as well.

I think it is worth noting here that Valve employees rarely leak anything. Typically, the only legitimate Valve leaks we see are related to strings of code found within game updates. However, as Valve works with partners like AMD for products like the Steam Deck, the leaks here could be coming from elsewhere.

KitGuru Says: Depending on how difficult Valve finds it to release its planned hardware this year, I could see all future-generation projects being put on a temporary hold while shortages remain prevalent. 

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