Technology

Steam Deck Demand Drops 80% After Price Increase

Analyses show an 80% decline in sales following a May price hike, with one source calling it 'The Great Steam Deck Crash of 2026.'

Talivio News · Global 21 July 2026, 17:33 1 min read

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Demand for Valve's Steam Deck has dropped by 80% following a price increase, according to multiple analyses. The decline is attributed to the new pricing implemented in 2026.

One analysis of bestseller charts reports an 80 percent dip from 2025's sales rate. Another source states that the price hike occurred in May, and that demand decreased by 80% after the price increase. The event has been referred to as 'The Great Steam Deck Crash of 2026' by an industry observer.

80%

Drop in Steam Deck demand after a price increase in 2026.

The Great Steam Deck Crash of 2026

— Industry source

The exact timing of the price hike is specified by one analysis, which places it in May. The same analysis points to the 80% decline in sales compared to the previous year's rate.

Updates

Update — 21 July, 17:46

Latest estimates now suggest a sales decline of more than 75% following the price increase, providing a slightly adjusted figure from the previously reported 80% drop. While these new projections remain disputed among analysts, they represent the most recent update regarding the impact of the May pricing changes.

Update — 22 July, 14:08

New market estimates now indicate the drop in Steam Deck sales has reached 87% compared to last year, surpassing the previously reported 80% decline. While some sources suggest the reduction is over 75%, other reports characterize the situation as a 'near-total collapse' of sales following the price adjustment.

Devin Okonkwo

Technology Correspondent · Talivio News

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