The Upcoming Price Increase of Steam Deck OLED in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan

As the ongoing RAMnarök continues to impact hardware prices and availability, Valve’s Steam Deck OLED variants are set to see a price hike in Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan starting March 6th. This announcement may have many consumers concerned about the impact on their wallets. However, after analyzing the numbers, it appears that the price increases in these regions will not significantly surpass those in the UK and US.

Reasons for the Price Increase

According to reports by Famitsu, Komodo Station, the authorized Valve Deck sellers in Asia, have attributed the price hikes to “increased logistics costs and shifting exchange rate conditions.” While the statement does not explicitly mention memory shortages, the reference to logistics costs suggests that challenges in sourcing parts may have contributed to the decision.

Details of the Price Adjustments

In Japan, the price of the 512GB OLED Deck will increase from ¥84,800 to ¥99,800, representing a ¥15,000 hike. When converted to UK and US currencies, this translates to an increase from £402/$544 to £474/$637. Similarly, the price of the 1TB OLED Deck will rise from ¥99,800 to ¥114,800, with the new prices amounting to approximately £474/$637 and £545/$733, respectively.

In South Korea, the OLED Deck prices will increase to ₩898,000 and ₩1,048,000, while in Taiwan, the prices will be NT$18,980 and NT$22,480. These adjustments reflect increases in the range of £449/$605 to £536/$716 and £459/$620 to £536/$723, respectively.

Implications and Interpretations

These price changes in Asian markets present a mixed picture, making it challenging to predict potential hikes in other regions. The decision to maintain prices in Hong Kong suggests a region-specific approach to pricing adjustments rather than uniform increases across the board. Despite the changes, the affected countries’ Deck prices remain relatively in line with current prices in the UK and US.

In conclusion, while the hardware market continues to face challenges, these price adjustments serve as a reminder of the ongoing fluctuations in the industry. Consumers should stay informed and monitor developments to make informed purchasing decisions.

This article sheds light on the upcoming price increases for Steam Deck OLED in select Asian markets, providing valuable insights for tech enthusiasts and consumers.