# Steam Deck sales are losing steam since May’s price hike

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/steam-deck-sales-are-losing-steam-since-mays-price-hike/
- Published: 2026-07-21T17:12:34+00:00
- Updated: 2026-07-21T17:33:24+00:00
- Original publisher: Ars Technica
- Original article: https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/07/steam-deck-sales-are-losing-steam-since-mays-price-hike/
- Topics: Art, Culture, Entertainment, Gaming

## Key points

- Steam Deck sales estimated to have dropped roughly 80% since May's price hike
- Chart ranking fell from 5th to as low as 14th place on Steam
- Higher prices and possible stock shortages both seen as contributing factors

## Summary

Steam Deck sales have fallen sharply since Valve relaunched the handheld at higher prices in May, according to data compiled by the Linux-focused site Boiling Steam. The Deck had almost always ranked near the top of Steam's bestseller-by-revenue charts since its 2022 launch, but its position has slipped from fifth place immediately after May's relaunch to as low as 14th in early July, a level of decline that matters because it suggests the price rise (rather than lingering supply issues) may be deterring buyers of what has been one of Valve's flagship products.

Using rough estimates based on chart position and pricing, Boiling Steam calculates that weekly unit sales may have dropped by around 80%, from roughly 11,000–18,000 units in 2025 to just 1,400–3,000 now. The Deck's price range rose from $400–$649 to $789–$949 amid RAM and storage shortages, potentially pushing buyers towards rival handhelds such as the ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go or MSI Claw, though intermittent stock shortages may also be contributing. Valve has sold an estimated 4 million Steam Decks since launch, and the slowdown raises questions about the pricing and timing of any future Steam Deck 2.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.