the Steam Deck just got $300 more expensive — so which handheld should you actually buy in 2026?

Valve quietly raised the Steam Deck OLED to $789. That reshuffles the whole handheld question. Here's the honest answer on Steam Deck vs ROG Ally X…

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Diego Santos · Gaming Editor

The short answer

Steam Deck OLED ($789) — best software experience (SteamOS just works), only true OLED screen, smallest/lightest. But no longer the value pick after the +43% hike.

The short answer

ROG Ally X — the performance choice: 1080p/120Hz screen, 24GB RAM, an 8-core CPU, and the biggest battery (80Wh). Windows, so more fiddly.

The short answer

Legion Go S — the comfort choice: 8-inch screen, and the only one you can buy with SteamOS *or* Windows out of the box.

The short answer

Why the Deck rose: the same DRAM/NAND memory crunch driving up GPU and console prices — AI-server demand eating chip supply.

The short answer

If you value simplicity, buy the Deck. If you value raw frames, buy the Ally X.

My honest take on the price hike

$789 stings, and it's fair to be annoyed. But the increase is real-cost, not greed — Valve cited component costs and DRAM/NAND supply, the same crunch pushing up GPUs and consoles. If you were on…

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the Steam Deck just got $300 more expensive — so which handheld should you actually buy in 2026?

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