Valve Confirms Steam Deck 2 with AMD Ryzen Z2 Is Not in Development

Valve has officially debunked rumors about a Steam Deck 2 powered by AMD’s newly announced Ryzen Z2 APUs. The speculation began after AMD showcased its next-gen portable gaming processors during CES 2025, but Valve’s Pierre-Loup Griffais clarified on Bluesky that the slide referencing the Steam Deck was only meant to demonstrate the APU’s suitability for portable gaming systems—not to announce a new device.

Griffais stated explicitly:

“There is no Z2 Steam Deck in the works. The slide was about portable gaming systems in general, not a specific announcement.”

Even though a new Steam Deck powered by AMD’s Ryzen Z2 isn’t happening, gamers won’t have to wait long to see what the new chips can offer. Ryzen Z2 APUs are expected to debut in the first quarter of 2025, and the first devices featuring these chips are likely to hit the market shortly after. These APUs promise enhanced performance and efficiency, making them a major upgrade for portable gaming.

For now, Valve’s Steam Deck OLED will remain the company’s flagship handheld. Featuring a much-improved screen and incremental upgrades over the original model, it continues to be the go-to device for gamers entering the portable gaming space with Valve hardware.

While fans may be disappointed by the confirmation that a Steam Deck 2 isn’t on the horizon, the rise of other portable gaming systems powered by Ryzen Z2 APUs means there’s still plenty to look forward to in the coming months.

What are your thoughts on Valve’s decision to hold off on a Steam Deck 2? Would you stick with the OLED model or explore other Ryzen Z2-powered options? Let us know below!