Rumors had begun to circulate after CES 2025, but a Valve employee has directly stated that a Steam Deck 2 with the just announced AMD Ryzen Z2 APUs won’t be coming anytime soon. The rumors came on the heels of next-gen AMD APUs being announced for portable gaming systems, with speculation rife that a Steam Deck 2 would be the first device to sport the new chips. Pierre-Loup Griffais from Valve commented on the speculation on Bluesky to clarify things.
Valve Confirms No Steam Deck 2 With AMD Ryzen Z2 Chips, OLED Model Remains Top Choice
He also clarified that the slide that appeared while announcing the AMD Ryzen Z2 APU that suggested a new model was not meant to announce a new Steam Deck, but merely illustrate that this generation of mobile chipsets are made with portable gaming systems in mind. This meant that while the Ryzen Z2 APUs are well-suited for handheld devices, they would not power an upcoming Steam Deck 2.
There won’t be a Steam Deck 2 but AMD Ryzen Z2 chips will roll out in Q1 2025, with portable gaming systems to follow shortly thereafter. The new APUs are expected to show a huge advantage in performance and efficiency, earmarking the implementation of APUs in portable gaming systems. Until that time comes, Valve devotees in need of a portable gaming rig will have to make do with the Steam Deck OLED model.
This updated spin on the original Steam Deck offers a display that’s a bit improved in terms of rich color and contrast along with other light upgrades compared to the base model. Despite not featuring the latest Ryzen Z2 APUs, the Steam Deck OLED model is still the number one choice for enthusiasts of Valve’s portable gaming experience. Currently, there are no immediate plans for a Steam Deck 2 so the OLED model may be the best option for portable gaming enthusiasts.
FAQs
Will there be a Steam Deck 2?
No, Valve confirmed there are no plans for a Steam Deck 2.
- Advertisement -When will the new AMD Ryzen Z2-powered systems release?
Portable systems with Ryzen Z2 APUs are expected in Q1 2025.