Good news, everyone — Valve's Steam Deck has finally received an official Australian release! The handheld gaming PC is now available to purchase directly from the Steam online store, with day one units shipping out within days.
For those unfamiliar with the device, the Steam Deck is an ultra-beefy Nintendo Switch-style handheld that's designed to provide portable access to your Steam library of games. In our 4.5 star review, we said the Steam Deck is " arguably the best handheld console ever manufactured."
Although the Steam Deck was released in the US back in 2022, the only way to get one of the in-demand handhelds was by acquiring imported stock of the device. For Aussie gamers, this understandably brought to mind some concerns, usually involving pricing and warranty.
Thankfully, cutting out the middlemen has made the Steam Deck far more affordable than it was the on grey market. Pricing start at AU$649 for the 256GB LCD model, followed by a 512GB OLED version for AU$899 and a 1TB OLED variant priced at AU$1,049.
Of course, you can still find it at a number of reputable local retailers, including Amazon. With that in mind, we're here to clear up any questions you might have about purchasing an imported Steam Deck, such as where you can find one, how much they typically cost and what you can expect in terms of international support.
Alternatively, you could instead opt to pick up one of the Steam Deck's rivals, which have already received an official release in Australia, and can be purchased from the likes of JB Hi-Fi. These include the Asus ROG Ally and the Lenovo Legion Go.
Steam Deck in Australia: Pricing / specs
Valve's Steam Deck is being offered in three configurations in Australia. The entry-level LCD model includes 256GB of SSD storage and costs AU$649. Next up is the 512GB OLED model, which will set you back AU$899. At the top of the pack is the 1TB OLED model, which is priced at AU$1,049. It's worth noting that you can also expand the amount of storage available thanks to the inclusion of a microSD card slot on each variant.
All three models are powered by the same AMD Zen 2 CPU, with 7 nm AMD APU for integrated graphics on the LCD model, and a 6 nm AMD APU on the OLED versions. The the Steam Deck's screen resolution is 1280 x 800 across the board, the LCD version sports a 7-inch display, while the OLED models offer slightly larger 7.4-inch displays.
Steam Deck in Australia: Where to find one
Without question, the easiest way to acquire a Steam Deck in Australia is to simply buy it from Steam's local online store. Alternatively, you can purchase an imported one from a reputable local retailer — well-known stores such as Amazon are stocking imported Steam Deck units via third-party resellers, though be prepared for inflated pricing.
Of course, you can also buy Valve's Steam Deck from eBay, though we recommend only buying from a recognisable Aussie seller, even if you have to pay a little more. Not only will you receive your Steam Deck quicker, you'll also be covered under Australian Consumer Law with regards to warranty (more on that later).
Steam Deck in Australia: Grey market pricing
On the grey market, it's still possible to purchase the Steam Deck's 64GB version, which will not be offered when the handheld officially launches in Australia.
Aussies can expect to pay around anywhere from AU$650 to AU$1,500 for an entry-level for an imported model, depending on the storage and display variant. That said, prices from third-party sellers may fluctuate.
Steam Deck in Australia: Is it covered by warranty?
If you've purchased a Steam Deck from a reputable retailer within Australia, you can rest assured that is indeed covered by Australian Consumer Law, regardless of it being an import or purchased directly from Valve. That means you are entitled to a refund or replacement if your Steam Deck happens to fail.
That said, warranty claims from third-party sellers will likely require your Steam Deck to be returned to the retailer's supplier (likely in the US) for assessment, and this process could take some time. It will be up to them whether your device can be repaired, replaced or refunded.
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