Valve Sunsets LCD Steam Deck OEM Batteries, Leaving iFixit Without Stock
iFixit confirms it has no immediate plans to stock replacement batteries for the LCD model, following Valve’s decision to discontinue the device at the end of 2025.
Valve has reportedly ceased the supply of original equipment manufacturer (OEM) replacement batteries for the LCD Steam Deck, a move that significantly impacts the repairability of the legacy handheld console. An iFixit Customer Operations employee confirmed to a user that the company has no immediate plans to stock these components, citing that Valve is sunsetting the parts. This development follows Valve’s formal discontinuation of the LCD Steam Deck model at the end of 2025.
The confirmation emerged from an email exchange highlighted by Video Cardz, in which an iFixit staffer apologised to a Steam Deck owner for the lack of battery replacement options. The employee stated that it is increasingly unlikely the company will continue receiving OEM Steam Deck batteries and noted that they are actively evaluating aftermarket options. However, no confirmed timeline was provided for the availability of either OEM or aftermarket stock.
A second Reddit user, who appears to work for iFixit, clarified that the decision to discontinue the parts originates from Valve rather than representing an independent stocking decision by the repair specialist. This distinction is critical for owners seeking official support, as it places the responsibility for the supply chain halt directly with the hardware manufacturer.
The LCD Steam Deck, which held a respectable repairability score of 7/10 from iFixit, contrasts with the OLED model that received a 9/10 rating in 2023. The iFixit response did not mention the OLED model, which features a larger battery than the 2022 LCD Deck. While third-party batteries remain widely available from retailers such as Amazon, the withdrawal of official OEM support marks a notable shift for a device released only four years prior.
This news aligns with broader market trends for Valve’s hardware division. Following the discontinuation of the LCD model and subsequent stock outages, Steam Deck OLED prices increased significantly in May, with Valve attributing the rise to rising memory and storage costs. The Steam Machine was released the following month, with prices starting at $1,049 for the 512GB variant without a controller, signalling a continued pivot in Valve’s product strategy.
