Steam Deck LCD battery returns to iFixit, but costs $50 more now

The Steam Deck LCD battery saga has a new chapter, and now it comes with a bigger price tag.

A few weeks ago, iFixit confirmed that Valve had quietly discontinued replacement parts for the original 2022 Steam Deck LCD, with the battery being the most crucial hit. That sparked real concern among owners, since a dead battery with no official replacement basically means a bricked handheld. Valve walked it back within days, and iFixit confirmed a fresh batch of batteries was on the way shortly after.

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The batteries are back in stock now. However, the price has jumped from $79.99 to $129.99 for the part alone, a gigantic 63% increase. If you grab the Fix Kit, which bundles in the spudger, tweezers, opening picks, and other install tools, the total climbs to $134.99. Currently, iFixit has not given a reason for the increase, and Valve has stayed quiet on it too.

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For context, the Steam Deck OLED replacement battery is still sitting at its old $79.99 price, so this bump is specific to the LCD model for now, though the OLED part could follow once its current stock runs out.

This kind of price creep is not unique to Valve's handheld. Apple raised the cost of several out-of-warranty iPhone and Mac battery replacements a while back, and the pattern feels familiar. Although other repair options exist, companies can quietly make them less appealing. The Steam Deck built a reputation on being one of the more repairable handhelds around, which is exactly why this affects it more than a typical price hike.

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I think the bigger concern here is precedent. A 63% jump on a single part, right after a scare over its availability, is not a great look, even if it is technically still available. Owners holding onto an aging LCD Steam Deck now have to weigh a pricier battery against just buying newer hardware outright.

It also complicates the maths for anyone eyeing a cheap secondhand LCD Steam Deck. A used unit with a worn-out battery used to be an easy fix for under $80. At $130 or more, that repair starts eating into a meaningful chunk of what the handheld itself is worth on the resale market, which could push more buyers toward newer models instead.

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Right-to-repair advocates have been pushing manufacturers toward easier, cheaper battery access for years, and some progress has been made elsewhere. Nintendo, for example, is building a Switch 2 variant with a removable battery to comply with EU regulations.

Frequently Asked Questions

TweakBot answers common questions about this news using TweakTown's own coverage from this page and related content from our archive. Tap a question to reveal the answer, or type your own below.

Question #1

Has iFixit or Valve explained why the Steam Deck LCD battery price increased from $79.99 to $129.99?

No. The article says iFixit has not given a reason for the price increase, and Valve has stayed silent on it too.

Answered

Question #2

Are there alternative repair or battery replacement options mentioned or covered by TweakTown for Steam Deck owners?

Yes. The article says replacement batteries are available again from iFixit, including a standalone battery and a Fix Kit with tools, and it notes that other repair options exist though it does not detail them. The related article "Valve is now supplying replacement Steam Deck LCD batteries again, after reportedly ceasing support" is referenced for the resupply confirmation.

Answered

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I thought repairability was supposed to get better and cheaper, but this new price hike runs against that trend.