Valve is adding a fresh look to the Steam Deck lineup with a sleek white version, announced this past Monday. However, those wanting this stylish upgrade will need to shell out a bit more cash.
The new variant, called the Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White, hits the market on November 18th at 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST across all regions where the console is already sold. Excitingly for gamers in Australia, it will debut with the long-awaited regional launch on November 19th at 10 a.m. AEST.
For those curious about upgrades, I have recently had the chance to test the Steam Deck OLED for a solid three weeks. Let me tell you, the enhancements go beyond just a fancier display.
Now, if you’re already a proud owner of a Steam Deck, grabbing the white one isn’t a must unless you’re sold on its aesthetics. The new white edition mirrors its black counterpart in the 1TB model when it comes to technical performance. Both share the same 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display and an impressive refresh rate of up to 90Hz, allowing between three to 12 hours of playtime depending on your gaming intensity.
The standout feature of this Limited Edition is, as the name hints, its white and grey colorway. Valve goes a little further with this release by including a white carry case rather than the usual black one. Plus, there’s a matching white microfibre cloth for those keen on keeping their console fingerprint-free.
Of course, this new hue carries a different price tag. While the classic black 1TB Steam Deck is priced at $649, you’ll need to part with $679 for the exclusive white version, paying a $30 premium for the eye-catching design.
If the chic white version has piqued your interest, it’s wise to make a quick decision. Valve has confirmed these are being produced in limited quantities, with stocks distributed fairly across regions, and restricted to one per Steam account. It’s not clear exactly how limited they are, but once they’re gone, they’re gone for good.
About securing one of these, it’s a bit more complex than a regular online checkout on sites like Amazon. Interested buyers must head to the Steam store, though in specific Asian areas, purchases go through Komodo. However, there’s a catch: only accounts that have spent at least $5 on Steam before this month can make the purchase. This rule is part of Valve’s strategy to curb spam and fraudulent activity by limiting users who haven’t made prior transactions.
Your account needs to be in “good standing” too. Valve doesn’t sell to users with a shady reputation, especially those involved in cheating. To check your standing, log into Steam on your PC, click “Steam,” go to “Settings,” and select “Learn More” next to “VAC status.” This will tell you if you’re in good standing or if you’ve been flagged as a cheat.
These rules apply to those wanting the black Steam Deck as well, though they’ve had plenty of time to spend the required $5 to lift purchase restrictions. Plus, the black version is not a limited edition, so if you’re unable to buy now, you can always try again next month.
