Steam Deck LCD owners now face a huge price increase if they need an official replacement battery. The genuine Valve Steam Deck LCD battery price at iFixit is now $179.99 for the part alone, even though it previously cost $79.99.
What makes the increase harder to understand is that the newer Steam Deck OLED battery still costs $79.99. The OLED battery is also larger, offering around 50 Wh of capacity compared with the LCD model’s 40 Wh battery.
Steam Deck LCD Battery Price Has Increased Twice
The official Steam Deck LCD battery price did not jump from $79.99 to $179.99 overnight.
Earlier, iFixit sold the genuine Valve replacement battery for $79.99. After it returned to stock, the price increased to $129.99. Soon after, iFixit raised it again to $179.99.
| Price stage | Official Steam Deck LCD battery price |
|---|---|
| Previous price | $79.99 |
| First increase | $129.99 |
| Current listed price | $179.99 |
| Total increase | $100 |
| Percentage increase | 125% |
The $179.99 figure is for the battery by itself. If you want iFixit’s Fix Kit, which includes tools for the repair, the price is listed at $184.99.
Steam Deck LCD Battery Costs More Than OLED Battery
The strange part is the comparison with Valve’s newer handheld.
The Steam Deck OLED replacement battery remains available for about $79.99 as a part-only purchase. Meanwhile, the OLED battery has around 50.08 Wh capacity and a 6,470 mAh rating. That makes it larger than the 40 Wh battery inside the original Steam Deck LCD.
| Steam Deck model | Battery capacity | Official replacement battery price |
|---|---|---|
| Steam Deck LCD | 40 Wh | $179.99 |
| Steam Deck OLED | 50.08 Wh | $79.99 |
In simple terms, Steam Deck LCD owners are being asked to pay $100 more for a smaller battery.
The LCD replacement is now around 125% more expensive than its original $79.99 price. It also costs over twice as much as the official OLED battery replacement.
Why Is the Steam Deck LCD Battery So Expensive?
Right now, there is no clear public explanation for the increase.
Neither Valve nor iFixit has publicly confirmed why the official Steam Deck LCD battery price changed so much. The price increase seems to apply only to the original LCD model, while the OLED battery has stayed at its lower price.
Possible reasons could include limited supply, older-part production costs, or pricing changes in Valve’s supply chain. However, these are only possible explanations. Until Valve or iFixit comments, it is best not to treat any reason as confirmed.
This matters because the Steam Deck has often been praised for being easier to repair than many other gaming devices. A very high official battery price could make some LCD owners delay repairs or look for other options.
A Cheaper Steam Deck LCD Battery Option Exists
There is a much cheaper choice for people who do not specifically need a genuine Valve battery.
iFixit also sells an aftermarket Steam Deck LCD battery for $79.99. It has a nearly identical 40.04 Wh capacity, but it is not an official Valve or OEM component.
That means buyers have two main choices:
- Official Valve battery: $179.99, supplied through the official Steam Deck supply chain
- Aftermarket iFixit battery: $79.99, cheaper but not an OEM Valve part
The aftermarket option may look more attractive because it costs $100 less. Still, it is important to read the listing carefully, check compatibility with your specific Steam Deck model, and follow the repair instructions closely.
Related : Steam Deck LCD Battery Returns to iFixit at a Much Higher Price
Should Steam Deck LCD Owners Buy the Official Battery?
At $179.99, the official Steam Deck LCD battery price is difficult to justify for many players. The battery alone costs a large part of what some used Steam Deck LCD systems sell for.
The official part may still make sense if you strongly prefer a genuine Valve component. However, the $79.99 aftermarket iFixit battery is worth considering if you want a lower-cost repair option with similar stated capacity.
Before buying either battery, check whether your Steam Deck’s problem is truly caused by battery wear. Fast battery drain can also come from high brightness, demanding games, background downloads, old software, or power settings.
Battery repair is not a quick job either. iFixit rates Steam Deck OLED battery replacement as difficult, and the process can take several hours. Take extra care with lithium-ion batteries, because bending, puncturing, or overheating one can be dangerous.
Steam Deck LCD Battery Price Is a Bad Look for Repairs
The Steam Deck LCD battery price increase is disappointing for owners of Valve’s original handheld. The genuine 40 Wh replacement battery now costs $179.99, despite previously costing $79.99 and being smaller than the $79.99 OLED battery.
For now, the $79.99 aftermarket LCD battery gives owners a much cheaper alternative. Still, the main question remains unanswered: why does the smaller, older official Steam Deck battery now cost $100 more than the larger official OLED version?
