Asus and Lenovo Handheld Prices Jump as Valve Pulls Back Steam Deck Sales
Gaming fans hoping to pick up new handhelds from Asus or Lenovo may be in for a surprise. Prices for both the ROG Ally X and Legion Go S have unexpectedly jumped by $100 in the U.S., and Valve has halted sales of one of its popular Steam Deck models. With the gaming handheld market heating up—thanks to the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 and Microsoft’s Xbox Ally—consumers are asking why prices are climbing and what this means for competition in the space. If you’re eyeing one of these devices, here’s what you need to know.
Asus ROG Ally X and Lenovo Legion Go S Price Increase Explained
The Asus ROG Ally X was introduced as a premium Windows gaming handheld at $799. Lenovo’s Legion Go S, its more affordable rival, was meant to land at $499. But both now cost $100 more in the U.S., leaving buyers confused and frustrated. Asus hasn’t officially responded to inquiries about the price hike, but speculation points to global supply chain constraints or potential impacts from ongoing trade tensions with China. Interestingly, these prices haven’t increased in Canada or Mexico, suggesting region-specific economic factors may be at play.
Steam Deck OLED Sales Pause Creates More Pressure
Adding to the disruption, Valve has temporarily paused sales of its $649 1TB Steam Deck OLED in the U.S. and Canada. The company cited vague “supply chain constraints” and said it expects to restock by the end of summer. Though the $549 512GB version remains available, many fans prefer the expanded storage of the 1TB model. This move leaves a noticeable gap in availability and further shifts attention to competitors—even if those alternatives now cost more than expected.
Is the Gaming Handheld Market Losing Competitive Edge?
With Asus, Lenovo, and MSI raising prices, Windows-based gaming handhelds are beginning to look less competitive compared to Valve’s Steam Deck lineup or the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. MSI’s Claw AI 8 Plus also saw a $100 jump shortly after launch. These changes raise questions about whether manufacturers are pricing themselves out of reach for everyday gamers—or if the industry is preparing for a broader shift tied to hardware demands and market speculation around new releases like the Xbox Ally.
What Gamers Should Know Before Buying
If you’re in the market for a handheld gaming device, this is a moment to pause and evaluate your options. The Steam Deck remains the best value for most gamers, especially the 512GB OLED model. Meanwhile, the ROG Ally X still delivers strong performance, but now at a premium. The price hikes aren’t necessarily permanent, but they reflect the volatility of the market in 2025. For now, patience may pay off—especially as Valve, Microsoft, and Nintendo all gear up for big product launches this year.