Valve recently unveiled that their Steam Deck will soon sport a chic new color: white. The announcement, made on Monday, introduced the handheld console’s fresh look, but with a slightly heftier price tag for those interested in the aesthetic upgrade.
Starting November 18 at 6 p.m. EST / 3 p.m. PST, the Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White will be up for grabs in all regions where the console is already sold. For gamers in Australia, it coincides with the Steam Deck’s much-anticipated debut there, launching on November 19 at 10 a.m. AEST.
If your Steam Deck is still running smoothly, there’s little incentive to upgrade to the white version. Spec-wise, the Steam Deck OLED: Limited Edition White mirrors the 1TB model of the standard OLED variant. Both feature a 1280 x 800 HDR OLED screen, a refresh rate topping out at 90Hz, and enough battery life to power your gaming sessions for three to 12 hours.
The standout feature of the limited edition is, as the name implies, its white and grey color scheme. Additionally, Valve provides a matching white carry case instead of the usual black one and throws in a white microfiber cloth for maintaining your console’s pristine condition.
Aside from the color, the only other variation is the cost. The usual black version with 1TB storage is priced at $649, while the Limited Edition White is tagged at $679. Essentially, you’re paying an extra $30 for the sleek white tint.
Given the limited availability of this white variant, you might want to make your decision pronto. Valve disclosed that it will only be released in “limited quantities, with stock proportionally distributed across each region,” restricting it to one per Steam account. Though Valve didn’t specify the exact numbers, they confirmed that this is a one-time production run. “Once we are sold out, we will be sold out,” emphasized Valve.
If you’re keen to snag the white Steam Deck, note that buying it isn’t as easy as a quick click on Amazon. It’ll be sold through the Steam store (or via Komodo in select Asian regions) and only to users who’ve spent at least $5 on Steam ahead of this month. This policy is part of Valve’s strategy to keep spammers at bay.
Your Steam account also needs to be in “good standing” to make the purchase. Valve doesn’t seem keen on supplying consoles to those who use cheat software. To check your status under the Valve Anti-Cheat System (VAC), fire up the Steam app on your PC. First, click on “Steam,” then “Settings,” and finally the “Learn More” button next to “VAC status.” You’ll be informed if your account is in good standing or if you’ve been flagged for cheating.
The same rules apply for purchasing the standard black Steam Deck, though by now, most interested parties have had ample time to meet the $5 spending requirement. Moreover, the black version isn’t a limited edition, so even if you’re non-eligible now, you’ll have future opportunities to buy it.
In the world of gaming and video games, these types of limited releases tend to stir excitement, but it also emphasizes the need to keep up with requirements and be timely. So if you’re after the white Steam Deck, urgency is key!
