Valve took the Steam Deck OLED to $789 in May, and Nintendo took the Switch 2 to $499.99 in September. The gap is now $289. Here's what each company said, and the question that should really decide it.
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"Steam Deck vs Switch 2" used to be a close call on price. It isn't any more. Both got more expensive in 2026, for the same memory-shortage reason, but by very different amounts. Here's the price picture from Valve's and Nintendo's own announcements, and the question that should actually decide it.
Two very different handhelds, and since 2026 two very different prices. · Illustration generated with Higgsfield
What each company changed
Valve's Steam Hardware announcement on May 27, 2026: "Steam Deck OLED is back in stock, with a price increase for both models due to rising memory and storage costs," listing "Steam Deck OLED 512GB: Now $789 USD" and "Steam Deck OLED 1TB: Now $949 USD". Valve added that "Steam Deck itself hasn't changed." Valve's store page showed the same $789 and $949 when I checked on Sep 25, 2026. Nintendo's notice moved the Switch 2 from $449.99 to $499.99 on September 1, 2026.
Handheld prices after the 2026 increases (Sep 25, 2026)
Switch 2 (console)$499.99
Switch 2 + a game (Amazon.com Choose Your Game bundle)$503.11
Steam Deck OLED 512GB$789
Steam Deck OLED 1TB$949
The question that should actually decide it
You already have a big Steam library: the Steam Deck plays it, and the $289 extra buys access to games you already own. For some people that's the cheaper option overall.
You want Mario Kart, Zelda and Pokémon: they're on Nintendo's consoles, not the Deck. Price aside, that settles it.
You're starting from zero: the Switch 2 is $289 cheaper to get into, and a bundle adds a game for about $3 more (see Switch 2 bundle maths).
You're comparing performance: that depends on the specific game, and I'm not going to quote frame rates I can't source. Check reviews for the particular games you care about.
Nintendo Switch 2: Choose Your Game Bundle
If the Switch 2 is your pick, this is the value route: console plus a digital Mario Kart World, Donkey Kong Bananza or Pokémon Pokopia for $503.11, sold by Amazon.com on Sep 25, 2026. Check the price at checkout.
$789 for 512GB and $949 for 1TB. Valve raised both prices on May 27, 2026 "due to rising memory and storage costs," per its Steam Hardware announcement, and its store showed the same prices on Sep 25, 2026.
Is the Steam Deck or the Switch 2 cheaper?
The Switch 2, by $289 at the entry level: $499.99 against $789 for the 512GB Steam Deck OLED (Sep 25, 2026). With Amazon.com's Choose Your Game bundle at $503.11, the Switch 2 also comes with a game.
Why did the Steam Deck price go up?
Valve cited "rising memory and storage costs" and said the new prices "reflect the current state of component costs and other global logistical challenges." It also said the Steam Deck itself hasn't changed.
Steam Deck or Switch 2 for someone new to PC gaming?
Go by the games you want. Nintendo's own games are only on Nintendo's consoles, and the Steam Deck plays Steam games. If you have no existing library, the Switch 2 is the cheaper way in at current prices.
