Valve's Steam Deck bucks the trend of annual hardware upgrades seen in the smartphone market. Instead of yearly releases, Valve prioritizes significant, generational leaps in performance and features. This approach, explained by designers Lawrence Yang and Yazan Aldehayyat, avoids releasing incrementally improved products that might not justify the cost for consumers.

Yang and Aldehayyat, in an interview with Reviews.org, stated their commitment to substantial upgrades rather than annual, minor improvements. They believe yearly releases are unfair to customers. The focus remains on enhancing the PC gaming experience outside of traditional desktop setups, acknowledging areas for improvement while maintaining excellent battery life.

Aldehayyat highlighted the team's dedication to resolving user issues and improving the handheld PC gaming experience. The innovative touchpads, a key differentiator from competitors like the ROG Ally, are a testament to this commitment. They expressed a desire for other companies to adopt similar design choices.

Regarding the OLED Steam Deck, Aldehayyat revealed that variable refresh rate (VRR) was a highly desired feature that couldn't be implemented in time. Yang clarified that the OLED model was a refinement of the original, not a second-generation device. Future iterations will prioritize improved battery life, though technological limitations currently restrict advancements.

The lack of frequent hardware updates hasn't deterred Valve from acknowledging the increasing competition from companies like Asus (ROG Ally) and Ayaneo. Instead of an "arms race," Valve views the competition as a catalyst for innovation in the handheld PC gaming market, welcoming diverse design approaches and improvements to the overall user experience.

The staggered global rollout of the Steam Deck, with its recent official launch in Australia in November 2024, might have influenced Valve's strategy. The delay, according to Yang and Aldehayyat, was due to logistical and financial complexities, including establishing distribution channels and handling returns. The Steam Deck remains unavailable in several regions, including parts of South America and Southeast Asia, limiting access to official support and warranties. However, it's widely available in North America, Europe, and parts of Asia.