Valve fans, get ready for some excitement! While a full-fledged successor to the Steam Deck isn’t hitting the shelves just yet, Valve is gearing up to launch a fresh variant of their much-loved gaming handheld: the exclusive Steam Deck OLED in a striking white color.
Meet the “Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White.” This sleek new version shares the same specifications as the existing 1TB model. However, it comes with a slightly higher price tag of $679, which is a $30 increase. Mark your calendars for its release next Monday, November 18.
Along with its pristine white and gray finish, this limited edition will be bundled with a matching white carrying case and a microfiber cleaning cloth to keep the gadget spotless.
Valve isn’t new to experimenting with colors. You might recall their limited edition smoky translucent shell that was a hit among fans, despite a minor issue with aesthetic cracks. This time, the white variant will be available in all regions currently selling the Steam Deck, including the US, Canada, the UK, Europe, Australia, Japan, Hong Kong, Taiwan, and South Korea, thanks to its partnership with Komodo. The allocation of units will be proportional across these regions.
In an effort to prevent scalping, Valve is implementing an order limit – just one white Steam Deck per account. Plus, your Steam account needs to have at least one purchase dating before November 2024.
Valve has stated that this second limited edition release is a way to gauge the market’s interest in new color options: “We’re curious to see what the response is and will use what we learn to inform future decisions about any potential new color variants down the line.”
If the Limited Edition White Steam Deck isn’t a must-have for you, fret not. Companies like Jsaux and dbrand offer alternative backplates or skins to customize your Deck’s look. Yet, if authenticity is what you cherish, grabbing a piece of this official variant might be worth considering while supplies last.
Moreover, Valve hinted at what’s on the horizon for the Deck. While they continue to roll out new colors and software updates, there’s a buzz of ongoing development for the Steam Deck’s next iterations and other hardware advancements.
Judging by the images, I’m picking up a nostalgic Wii U vibe with an iPod’s sleekness – in a good way, of course. The question remains if this fresh white color will tempt existing users to invest in a new device. How about you?
