If you look at the 3 console manufacturers, you’ll notice a pattern. Switch OLED was announced 3 months before release. Ps4 pro was announced 2 months before its release. Xbox one x was announced 5 months before release.
The steam deck OLED? 7 days
The reason that manufacturers give consumers at least a couple months before a release of a new device is so they can feel they made an informed decision on their purchase, and not feel burned when the next iteration is released. No, the device they currently have doesn’t lose inherent value to them. However, knowing that the next thing is coming out in just a couple weeks could make informed consumers hold off for the sale of the now outdated model.
Also inb4 people say “but it’s not a console…”, PC manufacturers have pretty consistent hardware release schedules as well, so the comparison stands.
The fact is this is an established norm for other manufacturers and that valve went against just comes across as anti consumer. And I think that just surprised a lot of people since Gabe’s whole “piracy is almost always a service problem…” Take and the return policy on games make the company appear as super consumer centric, however this release feels out of character.
Just imagine all the people from unsupported countries that bought their 64gb Deck’s for 500 euros. Not only they had to pay premium to begin with, but if prices of old models plummet in those said countries they’ll lose even more money.
This release was definitely lowkey and anti consumer, but people who bought their Deck’s this week they can return it, the rest can sell theirs and order one normally unlike the people from unsupported countries.
I really wish Valve could extend list of supported countries, Deck clearly sells, and this big of a refresh is a proof.
I live in an unsupported country however it is relatively easy and cheap to import the steam deck here, that’s not to say there are several things that make it complicated for anyone to just order it and because of that the price is higher here and that’s not going to change regardless of a new announcement. People that want a steam deck in unsupported countries will either find a way to import it or pay the higher prices.