Why gamers are buying an $800 Steam Deck instead of an Xbox ROG Ally or Legion Go S
Since the sudden price increase, the Steam Deck OLED has cost around $790. Nevertheless, the handheld sold out shortly after the adjustment. Reddit user Pretty_Trip_2215 raises an obvious question: why is Valve’s handheld still so popular when more powerful devices are available at lower prices? The Lenovo Legion Go S starts at $499.99, while the ASUS ROG Xbox Ally has an MSRP of $599.
At first, the creator of the Reddit thread suspected that scalpers might be behind the rush for the expensive Steam Deck OLED. However, the discussion quickly took off. Many users explained why they still prefer Valve’s handheld. In a later edit, the thread creator summarized the most common reasons.
Why gamers choose the Steam Deck OLED despite its higher price
Reading through the comments shows that users do not judge the Steam Deck by performance alone. Many simply like Valve and appreciate the seamless Steam integration. Anyone who already has a Steam library can simply switch on the device, log in and start playing right away – a clear convenience advantage over the competition.
Although the Steam Deck cannot keep up in terms of raw performance, it still has several technical advantages – most notably the OLED display. In the Reddit discussion, the trackpads are also repeatedly mentioned as an argument in favor of the Steam Deck. They work like small touchpads and allow mouse-like control. This not only makes navigation easier, but also makes strategy games more comfortable to play. For many users, Valve’s handheld also has the edge when it comes to battery life and speakers.
Critics argue that Valve has squandered the Steam Deck’s biggest advantage with the price increase: its strong value for money. On social media, the handheld is therefore repeatedly described as “dead.” The situation is not quite that dramatic, but after losing its previous price advantage, Valve now has to prove that the Steam Deck is still attractive enough even at significantly higher prices.
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