Valve could also be quietly plotting a stealthy Steam Deck refresh

Whereas Valve has repeatedly and categorically dominated out the opportunity of a right away Steam Deck successor, this hasn’t stopped it from tinkering with the machine’s present {hardware} configuration. Now, a not too long ago found doc could counsel {that a} additional refresh of its handheld PC could possibly be on the playing cards.

Following the preliminary discovery of references to a tool recognized solely as ‘Valve Company Mannequin 1030’, a brand new doc on the FCC web site gives extra particulars on this new {hardware}.

Sharing the invention in an X (Twitter) publish, SadleyItsBradley speculates that the machine “appears to be a revised Steam Deck mannequin.” Whereas not a lot is thought in regards to the {hardware}, Bradley continues that it’s going to on the very least boast “a brand new Wi-Fi card able to the 6E (6GHz) spectrum.”

Analyzing the doc reveals that it’s for a Class Permission Change for an authorized Wi-Fi 6e and Bluetooth chip. Moreover, the FCC doc states that the “intention of this software is to allow the modular licensed FCC ID: XMR2023FC66EB to be built-in in Valve Steam Deck/Mannequin: 1030.”

Presently, a Steam Deck Mannequin 1030 doesn’t exist, though 1010 has been used to establish the prevailing fashions of the hand held, and 1007 has been used for the Valve Index respectively. To be clear, although, it’s unlikely that this refers to a possible Steam Deck 2.

Whereas improved Wi-Fi speeds on the Steam Deck could be welcome, I’d sooner hope to see an OLED mannequin or one with larger built-in storage. Current opponents, the ASUS ROG Ally, and the soon-to-be launched Lenovo Legion Go, each have 1TB variations accessible, leaving the 512GB Steam Deck feeling considerably behind the instances. Though you’ll be able to decide up a microSD card to extend your space for storing, having that quantity of storage accessible from the get go could be a literal recreation changer.

In case you can’t get sufficient of the Valve handheld, however are overwhelmed with video games to play, take a look at our information to one of the best Steam Deck video games and take your decide. In case your machine may use a makeover as an alternative, one of the best Steam Deck skins has a variety of decals to suit each fashion and desire.