Valve says Steam Deck 2 is getting closer, but the right chip still hasn't arrived

Valve engineer Pierre-Loup Griffais confirmed Steam Deck 2 is in development and moving forward — but the company still hasn't found the hardware leap it needs to justify a second-generation handheld. Speaking to IGN ahead of the Steam Machine launch, Griffais said the team is "closer than we were the last time we talked," while making clear the project isn't imminent.

The sticking point is chips. Griffais pointed to the new Intel Arc G3 — launching in devices like the $1,799 MSI Claw 8 EX AI+ — as an example of what's out there right now, and said it still doesn't hit the mark. His concern isn't raw power, it's the trade-off: current processors are essentially low-end laptop chips repurposed for handhelds, and they can't deliver the performance Valve wants while also maintaining the battery life it expects from a true handheld device. Until a chip hits the right balance of power efficiency and performance, Valve isn't moving.

This lines up with what Griffais has said before. Back in November last year he told IGN Valve had a "pretty good idea" of what Steam Deck 2 would be, and reiterated the team was "hard at work" around the Steam Controller launch earlier this year. The original Steam Deck recently got a price hike, and with RAM supply and pricing still unsettled, Valve has extra reason to hold off rather than launch a more expensive follow-up before conditions stabilize.

Griffais closed with a clear but patient message: "We're working towards our next gen for sure. We'll definitely be talking about that in the coming years." For now, Valve's attention is on the Steam Machine. Steam Deck 2 is real, it's in progress — but don't expect an announcement anytime soon.