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Ars Technica
Sales of Valve's Steam Deck crater after recent price hike
The Steam Deck sales have seen a steep decline of up to 80% since Valve raised its price in May, dropping its chart position significantly. Previously, the Deck consistently ranked within the top five bestsellers, but it has now fallen to 14th place, revealing a dramatic drop in consumer interest. The estimated weekly sales have plummeted from around 11,000-18,000 units to just 1,400-3,000, suggesting a widespread frustration among consumers following the price hike.
MonitorConfidence: HighShort term horizon
Published 21 Jul 2026, 17:55 UTC1 min read
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Summary
TL;DR
- Steam Deck sales dropped from 11,000-18,000 units/week to 1,400-3,000.
- Price increase occurred in May 2026.
- Sales chart position fell from 5th to 14th place.
- Historical sales data showed consistently high demand before the hike.
- Estimated decline reflects a substantial market response to pricing changes.
Interesting facts
- The Steam Deck had sold an estimated 4 million units in its first three years.
- Sales slowdown contrasts sharply with previous high seller status.
- The price hike appears to have directly impacted consumer purchasing behavior.