End of an era: Valve ends support for parts for the original Steam Deck

Valve, which initially promoted the Steam Deck as a highly repairable device, is beginning to restrict access to official replacement components. According to recent reports, the company is discontinuing the supply of original rechargeable batteries for the LCD version of the console.

Details

The situation became public after the owner of the console contacted iFixit support about a worn battery. An iFixit representative confirmed that OEM batteries are no longer expected to be available for the LCD version. The employee emphasized that this decision was made by Valve itself.

Why is this important?

When Valve and iFixit started their partnership in May 2022, the main goal was to provide users with the tools and parts to service the device themselves. However, the current refusal to supply parts for a model launched only four years ago runs counter to this strategy. The possibility of using third-party batteries is currently under consideration, but the exact timing and details have not yet been announced.

Is the Steam Deck LCD worth buying now?

As official parts support for the original LCD version is winding down, servicing the console in the long run may become more difficult. Owners will have to rely on third-party components or the aftermarket, as branded originals from Valve are becoming a scarce resource.