The ongoing challenges surrounding RAM shortages have led to a rise in hardware prices, affecting the availability of Valve’s Steam Deck in various regions. Recently, it was announced that the prices for the Steam Deck OLED models are set to increase in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan, with changes taking effect on March 6th. This news has sparked concern amongst potential consumers and current owners alike.
According to Famitsu, the price hike was confirmed by Komodo Station, Valve’s authorized resellers in Asia. They stated that the decision to increase prices was difficult but necessary due to rising logistics costs and shifting exchange rates since the Steam Deck’s initial launch. While the ongoing difficulties related to memory shortages were not explicitly stated, the mention of logistical challenges may imply that these issues could be influencing the cost of obtaining necessary components.
The specifics of the price increase are as follows: the 512GB OLED model will rise from ¥84,800 to ¥99,800, which is an increase of ¥15,000. In terms of conversion, this results in a price change from approximately £402 or $544 to £474 or $637. For reference, the current prices for the 512GB OLED variant in the UK and the US are £479 and $549, respectively. Thus, the new Japanese pricing is comparable to the UK price but notably higher than that in the US.
For the higher-end 1TB OLED model, the price will change from ¥99,800 to ¥114,800, also reflecting a ¥15,000 increase. This translates to around £474 or $637 to £545 or $733, while the existing prices in the UK and US are £569 and $649. Hence, this means the new pricing remains slightly beneath the UK price but is nearly $100 more than the US price.
In South Korea, the new prices will be ₩898,000 (approximately £459 or $620) and ₩1,048,000 (approximately £536 or $723). In Taiwan, the prices will adjust to NT$18,980 (approximately £449 or $605) for the 512GB model and NT$22,480 (approximately £531 or $716) for the 1TB model. Interestingly, prices in Hong Kong will remain unchanged, suggesting that the price adjustments are being made on a region-by-region basis rather than across all markets.
The variation in pricing global markets can complicate predictions about future price increases for Steam Decks in other regions, especially in Anglosphere countries. However, the fact that Hong Kong prices are unaffected may indicate a localized decision process rather than a blanket increase. Overall, while the price increments in the affected regions are noteworthy, they are not astronomically larger than current prices in the UK and US, offering some relief to consumers.
As the situation around hardware pricing continues to evolve, potential buyers and current users of the Steam Deck will need to stay informed on these developments as they assess their purchasing decisions.
