If you look at the 3 console manufacturers, you’ll notice a pattern. Switch OLED was announced 3 months before release. Ps4 pro was announced 2 months before its release. Xbox one x was announced 5 months before release.
The steam deck OLED? 7 days
The reason that manufacturers give consumers at least a couple months before a release of a new device is so they can feel they made an informed decision on their purchase, and not feel burned when the next iteration is released. No, the device they currently have doesn’t lose inherent value to them. However, knowing that the next thing is coming out in just a couple weeks could make informed consumers hold off for the sale of the now outdated model.
Also inb4 people say “but it’s not a console…”, PC manufacturers have pretty consistent hardware release schedules as well, so the comparison stands.
The fact is this is an established norm for other manufacturers and that valve went against just comes across as anti consumer. And I think that just surprised a lot of people since Gabe’s whole “piracy is almost always a service problem…” Take and the return policy on games make the company appear as super consumer centric, however this release feels out of character.
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Will the OLED screen be comparable with the older version? Wonder if the screen were to break on the old one if an upgrade to the OLED screen would be viable upgrade.
Oled would be nice but it’s nothing essential. I wouldn’t have changed my mind if I’d known earlier
I bought the 64gig and put a 1tb nvme in it. I’m not annoyed. My son wants it so he will get it when I get the Legion but he can use it any time he wants.
I admit that I haven’t bought a SD yet but I plan to after the OLED announcement but I like that they announced it and are taking orders/shipping shortly after. Feels like companies announce things way too far in advance to build up hype or something. But with that said, I can see why people are frustrated.
Seriously, same people complaining about fast announcements complain that they have to wait a year for a product launch. Reminds me when valve release half life alyx. They announced in Nov and released in March. Arguably INCREDIBLY fast.
I’m not gonna buy another until there’s a CPU and VRAM upgrade in the least. This OLED version is for the same people that are buying 4090s and shit
How so? Oled models are cheaper than LCD models were, considering storage.
I’m going to try to sell my self-upgraded OG Steam Deck, along with all the accessories I’ve accrued, for $700 as an “all-in-one bundle” to try to swap it out for the $670 (plus tax and shipping) limited edition OLED. It’s exactly what I wanted from the get-go. I doubt anyone would take me up on that, since it’s not the best deal in the world, but it’s worth the shot.
This is spot on… all other manufacturers either announce with lots of lead time or have a welll defined upgrade schedule so consumers can make informed decisions (and I may still end up wanting to buy the current version fully knowing a new one is coming, at least I would have factored in all the info to make that decision)
I agree with you.
The thing is, when Original Steamdeck (from here on OG-SD in short) was released, the hardware was already kind of outdated, since in the last years alot happened hardware-wise. So, the price was kind of overpriced, at least for the 256GB and 512GB models. But Valve tried to stretch the sales for that price for as long as possible.
Then, they started to influence the used-market, by re-selling refurbished Decks for quiet a bit cheaper, but still with full warranty, and most importantly, originally refurbished by Valve themselves.
Then, they didn’t announce the new OLED Deck. They ‘surprised’ everyone. They milked the full price of the OG-SD as long as possible again, since after 14 days, no refund is possible anymore.
Finally admitting, that Valve was behind hardware-prices since longer, they released a proper Deck with 1 TB SSD, more RAM Speed, Oled Display, better APU technology and a better battery. For the same price as the OG-SD.
The mistake was, releasing nearly the same hardware power, but with better feature upgrades, for the very same price as the OG-SD. So, Valve had to reduce the OG-SD prices by alot. Oh and remember, they also involved themselves i the used-marked. So, they reduced the refurbished OG-SD prices by alot, too,
Now, another big problem: All of this happened within barely over 1 year. Your OG-SD is still ok power-wise, but the resell-value is now down as hell.
What impression does this leave on me: Valv doesn’t care about the customers, and the resell-value of used OG-SD. They wanted to milk as much money from the OG-SD as possible, before announcing the Oled Deck. Their only plan is to overrun the market with their lable and product, by trampling over the OG-SD price-value.
And people will downvote you for point the truth… I guess fanboyism isn’t somethign od only Nintendo, Microsoft and Sony…
Most people don’t care about the value of their steam deck on the used market. They just want to play games
Eh? I’m not so sure about this chief. The huge months/years long waits for the next cool new thing to come out is wearing pretty thin for me - Meanwhile this new OLED is coming and I can potentially have it in my hands in just over a week, factoring in shipping time too? Holy shit.
I have an 8BitDo Keyboard on back order that I’ll probably get later than the new OLED model. I have plenty of other knickknacks to sell to make up the shortfall, including my current 512GB Deck model, and I only have to wait a short while overall?
Blessed.
You obv didn’t buy a steam deck 15 days ago for the same price with half storage and an lcd panel…
Why would you buy one 15 days ago when Black Friday sale season is only weeks away, judging from the last few sales the steam deck has had 5 to 10 percent off
Man, you truly are a consumer lmfao. A happy little piggy as long as they keep the troth full. Keep licking those boots buddy!
Absolutely agree. Considering they even went out and had an interview where they said no “Steam Deck 2” is coming out for the next years is almost intentionally misleading, considering it happened right next to their big anniversary sale months ago.
I like Valve and the Steam Deck, but this behaviour seems intentional and anti-consumer. I will definitely change whether I recommend the device and company to Friends now. I do feel mislead and disappointed…
This isn’t a steam deck 2. They haven’t said anything misleading at all, you and journalists just didn’t actually listen properly.
Also anti-consumer? Lol what are you smoking? They fixed every issue people complained about. Didn’t hike the price at all and lowered the price of the older models. For a completely optional upgrade that doesn’t make your existing Deck worse in any way that’s pretty pro-consumer to me.
You’re unknowingly spreading misinformation.
Considering they even went out and had an interview where they said no “Steam Deck 2” is coming out for the next years is almost intentionally misleading
Blame journalists reading things between the lines and presenting it as facts so they can write an article that’ll get clicks for that.
I mean just 7 months ago they literally said it would take a lot of work to put an oled on the sd and here we are.
They were real dicks by saying those things only to have it ready so soon after.
“But they didnt literally say it wasnt coming” lol come on they knew what they were doing.
This isn’t a steam deck 2, its not even a substantial upgrade. Theres quite literally nothing misleading or anti consumer about this situation.
What about the fact that 7 months ago they said it would be too comolicated to add an oled to the sd?
They sidnt say it wasnt coming, just heavily implied it was far away.
Thats the definition of misleading.
It’s definitely a substantial upgrade.
Just imagine all the people from unsupported countries that bought their 64gb Deck’s for 500 euros. Not only they had to pay premium to begin with, but if prices of old models plummet in those said countries they’ll lose even more money.
This release was definitely lowkey and anti consumer, but people who bought their Deck’s this week they can return it, the rest can sell theirs and order one normally unlike the people from unsupported countries.
I really wish Valve could extend list of supported countries, Deck clearly sells, and this big of a refresh is a proof.
I live in an unsupported country however it is relatively easy and cheap to import the steam deck here, that’s not to say there are several things that make it complicated for anyone to just order it and because of that the price is higher here and that’s not going to change regardless of a new announcement. People that want a steam deck in unsupported countries will either find a way to import it or pay the higher prices.
idk that valve should be expected to take into account people buying steam decks through third parties in countries where they don’t sell it themselves when it comes to announcements personally
I do think it’s weird the announcement is so close to release but the take that “valve should have announced it earlier so people buying second hand steam decks would save money” is definitely not the take I have. Technically the second hand market has nothing to do with valve.
Does how much somebody else is willing to pay for your steam deck change how much enjoyment you get from it?
The holidays are around the corner with potential for most purchases. This is why it had to be released now and not in a few months. It ships in a few weeks if you purchase now and that alings well with Xmas.
I was SO close to buying one early for a christmas present, there was no rush though so I never made the decision. Now we see a new model coming out next week. I’d be cheesed if I bought a week ago, nevermind that the original’s price has been reduced.
The timing certainly wasn’t in favour of customers, though it probably helped Valve sell off their current inventory a lot better than if they had promoted the updated model earlier.
I’ve had mine for a year. I love it. I could care less about the OLED screen. I don’t need it. I never upgraded my switch to the OLED either and never felt like I needed to. Companies capitalize on people that need the best of the best and have to have the latest of the latest. I’ve never been one of those consumers. I do like upgrades, but I need to see a significant difference between the two. It has to be worth my money and small changes just aren’t enough.
Why are people upset? Valve said numerous times that it would hold the standard specs in general and any upgrades would be iterative with a focus on the screen and battery life. I read this before I bought mine 11 months ago.
Give it a frikkin’ break. Man up and grow a pair. Can’t you return within a number of day of purchase?
Anybody would think they just released SD2 with zero marketing.