In a surprising move, gaming titan Valve has hiked the prices of its popular handheld console, the Steam Deck. With the OLED models now back in stock after months of scarcity, the base 512GB model will set you back $789 (previously $549), while the premium 1TB model jumps to $949 (previously $649). These new prices are a reflection of the escalating component costs and global logistical hurdles plaguing the industry. However, refurbished LCD Steam Decks sold through Steam remain unaffected, with their price tags still competitive at $279 for 64GB, $319 for 256GB, and $359 for 512GB. As the Steam Deck edges into the price range of high-end rivals like the Xbox Rok Ally X ($999.99), gamers may find it a hard sell. Interestingly, other gaming giants (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo) have also jacked up console prices, an unusual trend in console history where price increases are typically unheard of during a generation. Meanwhile, Valve's upcoming Steam Machine, expected to release in 2026, is shrouded in speculation regarding its affordability, with rising costs of components like RAM potentially making it less affordable than initially hoped. As Valve remains tight-lipped about the Steam Machine's pricing details, it leaves fans and industry watchers on tenterhooks, hoping that Valve won't let the clock run out on their new hardware. Cade Onder, a freelancer for IGN's news team, covers all things entertainment, including gaming, film, and more. You can find him on Twitter @Cade_Onder.