Steam Deck 2 Leaks & Expectations: Can It Handle Helldivers 2 and More?

Valve’s Steam Deck made waves in the handheld gaming world by bringing full PC gaming to the palms of players. Now, gamers are eagerly awaiting its successor—the Steam Deck 2. With the growing interest in games like Helldivers 2, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Path of Exile 2, and Space Marine 2, the question on everyone’s mind is: will the next Steam Deck handle these titles more smoothly, and when can we expect it?

In this article, we break down everything we know and anticipate about the Steam Deck 2—its potential specs, release date, price, and how it might run some of 2024–2025’s biggest games.

What Is the Steam Deck 2?

The Steam Deck 2 is the rumored (and expected) follow-up to Valve’s original handheld gaming PC. While Valve hasn’t officially unveiled a full release, company insiders and leaks suggest that a next-generation model is in the works with improvements in performance, display, battery life, and thermal efficiency.

Given the rising demands of modern AAA games, a more powerful Steam Deck is almost inevitable. Valve has confirmed that while a true “Steam Deck 2” isn’t imminent in 2024, they’re actively exploring next-gen hardware with upgraded AMD architecture and possibly OLED display options.

Key Features We Expect in Steam Deck 2

Improved Performance and GPU

One of the biggest demands from users is better performance to run demanding games like Helldivers 2 on Steam Deck. The current Steam Deck can play many modern games at lower settings, but newer titles are pushing its limits. Expect a custom AMD APU with RDNA 3 graphics or even RDNA 4 in the next generation.

Better Display

Gamers are also hoping for a sharper screen with a higher refresh rate and better color accuracy. A 1080p OLED screen with a 90Hz refresh rate would be a welcome upgrade from the original’s 800p LCD.

Enhanced Battery Life

Battery life is a constant concern with handheld PCs. The Steam Deck 2 may feature more efficient components and intelligent power scaling to support longer play sessions—especially important for lengthy games like Path of Exile 2 on Steam Deck.

Backward Compatibility

Valve is expected to maintain full compatibility with the original Steam Deck, meaning all your existing Steam games and settings should carry over seamlessly.

Steam Deck 2 and Modern AAA Games: Can It Keep Up?

Let’s take a look at how the Steam Deck 2 might perform with some of the most anticipated games of the current generation.

Helldivers 2 Steam Deck Experience

Helldivers 2 is a visually intense third-person shooter with co-op mechanics and large-scale battles. While the original Deck can play it at lower settings, the Helldivers 2 Steam Deck experience could be far smoother on a second-gen device, with better frame rates and fewer dips during chaotic firefights.

Dragon’s Dogma 2 Steam Deck Potential

Dragon’s Dogma 2 is a massive open-world RPG with dynamic combat and AI companions. It's already proving to be a system-intensive title. While it runs on the first-gen Deck with settings tweaks, the Dragon's Dogma 2 Steam Deck experience will likely shine with improved GPU and thermal performance in the Steam Deck 2.

Path of Exile 2 Steam Deck Performance

Grinding Gear Games’ Path of Exile 2 is another highly anticipated ARPG, known for particle-heavy effects and complex environments. The Path of Exile 2 Steam Deck version could benefit massively from increased RAM and faster SSD read speeds—something a second-generation handheld would likely address.

Space Marine 2 Steam Deck Gameplay

Games Workshop fans are hyped for Space Marine 2, a high-octane third-person shooter with detailed graphics and large-scale combat. A stronger GPU and improved power efficiency will help the Space Marine 2 Steam Deck experience rival that of lower-end gaming laptops.

Potential Steam Deck 2 Release Date and Price

When Will Steam Deck 2 Be Released?

Valve has hinted that we shouldn't expect a full-blown Steam Deck 2 until at least late 2025 or 2026. The company has emphasized that performance leaps must be significant to warrant a true second-gen model. However, incremental updates—like the Steam Deck OLED—suggest Valve is testing the waters for a future leap.

What Will It Cost?

The original Steam Deck launched at a competitive price, starting at $399. Expect the Steam Deck 2 to range from $499 to $699, depending on configuration, especially if it includes OLED displays and stronger internals.

What About the Steam Deck OLED?

In late 2023, Valve launched the Steam Deck OLED—a mid-cycle refresh with a better screen, improved battery, and quieter fans. While not the Steam Deck 2, it offers a preview of the design refinements we might expect in the next-gen model. If you can’t wait, the OLED version is a worthy upgrade.

Should You Wait for Steam Deck 2?

If you're eager to play games like Helldivers 2, Dragon's Dogma 2, Path of Exile 2, and Space Marine 2 on a portable device with minimal compromise, then the Steam Deck 2 may be worth the wait. With Valve committed to innovation and the success of the first Steam Deck paving the way, the future of handheld PC gaming looks incredibly promising.

Stay tuned for more updates, and in the meantime, the Steam Deck OLED remains a powerful option for gamers on the go.