Valve Announces Limited Edition White Steam Deck OLED Launch

The Digital Artisan -

Valve's Limited Edition White Steam Deck OLED

In an exciting update for gamers and technology enthusiasts, Valve is set to release a limited edition white version of the Steam Deck OLED. This announcement caters to users who have long desired a version of the gaming device to match their all-white PC setups. The new edition is slated for a worldwide launch on November 18, 2024, at 3 PM PST and is priced at $679, just $30 more than the standard black edition.

However, potential buyers should act fast, as this edition will be available in limited quantities across all Steam Deck shipping regions, including Australia. Fans will appreciate the inclusion of an exclusive white carry case and a white microfiber cleaning cloth—though maintaining its pristine color may be a challenge.

Features and Specifications

The Limited Edition Steam Deck OLED retains the same robust specifications as the regular OLED model, featuring a 1280 x 800 resolution 7.4-inch HDR OLED display. It is powered by 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM and an AMD APU with a quad-core Zen 2 CPU and eight RDNA 2-based GPU compute units, ensuring a seamless gaming experience.

Valve's decision to release this limited edition stems from the success of a previous experiment involving a smoky translucent variant. The company found significant interest in alternative colorways among consumers, prompting them to launch this white version. Although this might be the last batch of the white units, it hints at the possibility of more color options in future releases.

Countering Scalpers and Availability

To curb scalping, Valve has set firm purchase restrictions. Sales are limited to one unit per account, and only accounts in good standing—which have made a Steam purchase prior to November 2024—are eligible. Once these limited edition units are sold out, Valve confirms there won't be additional production of this specific model. This rarity drives the demand even higher, with some expecting listings on platforms like eBay at significantly marked-up prices.

This strategic move by Valve not only satisfies the demand for aesthetic diversity but also reinforces its agile approach to responding to consumer trends. These innovative iterations keep the brand competitive and align with the evolving preferences in the tech and gaming communities.