Valve is providing significant price reductions on Steam Deck consoles that have been refurbished, but there is a catch: the systems are refurbished.
These handhelds have been repaired by Valve as part of the Certified Refurbished Steam Deck program to supposedly function as well as new ones, and they are substantially less expensive. You can save up to $90, but is this too good to be true?
It does not have to be. Purchasing refurbished gadgets and equipment can be intimidating, but when the products come directly from the manufacturer, it becomes less risky. This is the case with Valve, which is now offering for sale all three versions of the LCD Steam Deck, refurbished and at a discounted price.
If this appeals to you, you can now purchase the base model for $279 instead of $349 ($70 savings), the 256GB NVMe model for $319 instead of $399 when purchased new, and the top handheld in the lineup with 512GB of storage for $359 instead of $449, a savings of $90.
According to the business, each handheld has undergone thorough testing, including over 100 tests at one of Valve’s facilities. This entails evaluating controller inputs, the display, the audio system, and the internal components. Valve also evaluates the health of the battery. As a result, the company promises that all refurbished units meet or even exceed the performance standards of new retail units.
Does it seem too good to be true? Well, there is a little catch: you might have to deal with insignificant visual flaws or scratches that are unlikely to interfere with your gaming experience. The business even provides a one-year warranty on the gadget.
To be honest, it’s tough to find fault with anything here—as long as you’re fine with the fact that it’s a refurbished Steam Deck, this seems to be one of the most affordable ways to get one and be sure it will function. It makes logical that Valve would take this action right now given that the newer Steam Deck OLED offers a superior option to the LCD model.
Valve’s Steam Deck ignited the handheld gaming PC trend, which gave rise to gadgets like the Asus ROG Ally and the MSI Claw. It is already one of the most affordable options among its rivals. Valve is making a wise move right now by giving customers the option to buy it refurbished but in perfect working order for up to $90 less.
