Steam Deck 2: Valve apparently faces a problem that's almost impossible to solve

[Redaktion]

New rumors about the Steam Deck 2 have sparked a heated discussion. It turns out that players have very different expectations for the successor – leaving Valve with a difficult challenge.

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-Deck-2-Valve-apparently-faces-a-problem-that-s-almost-impossible-to-solve.1420139.0.html

[t184256]

The other side definitely wants more processing power from a Steam Deck 2. Reddit user u/redditman181 therefore raises a fair question: "if thats the case as you say why bother making a steam deck 2? The current one plays old games perfectly fine."

Yeah, one-megapixel screens and higher are overrated. What is it, 2026?

[gdrt]

The discussion highlights the challenge Valve faces in developing the Steam Deck 2: While some players primarily want a lightweight, affordable handheld with long battery life, others are looking for more performance to play the latest blockbusters on the go. Combining both could prove difficult.

AMD Z1 APU can be configured down to 9 Watt, Z2 to 6 Watt and Z3 is "15W optimized". 15W native TDP is going to make a Steam Deck 2 larger/heavier/louder. VALVE should ask their Steam Deck users what SD2 they'd prefer and may also offer people to come in and test a larger, 15 Watt, Steam Deck prototype to see how people like it? Or sell a smaller 10W and a larger 15W SD2 (only worth developing if both would sell well (are there people who would get a 15W SD2 that would not get a 10W one?)). A free poll asking people would already be helpful. I'd prefer the current 10W native TDP size envelope one, but if VALVE can keep the same weight in a 15W SD2 (seems kinda unlikely), some customers may accept that too.

[heffeque]

I'd wait for RDNA5 or later to put it into the SteamDeck 2.
There will be a tangible difference in power and efficiency vs the SteamDeck 1.

Also newer battery tech that is coming out lately will make things even better. I can imagine solid batteries going into handheld devices (not only cars). It'll be a game changer.

[Xclipse 970]

It's pretty funny how rdna 5 is not coming to playstation or desktop GPU first but a SoC designed for phones.

At this point Valve should just go exynos 2700. It is already in mass production and coming in 4 months time.

Expensive for sure but by the time they launch the deck 2 in 2029 they will likely be able to get a significant discount from Samsung.

Not to mention the LPDDR6 vs 5X difference, which is a pretty big deal. Even the Sony handheld won't be getting this but atleast that compensates with wider bus.

[Xclipse 970]

The problem is not to that we are getting rdna3.5 in 2029, but that we will already have had rdna 5 out for 2 years by then with the xclipse 970.