Since the release of Valve's portable PC, the Steam Deck, in 2022, the device has enjoyed considerable success and has become a pivotal player in the emerging market of portable PC gaming. To stay ahead of the competition and further captivate gamers, Valve unveiled the Steam Deck OLED in late 2023, featuring an upgraded screen, enhanced storage capacity, and an improved battery. However, reports have emerged on Reddit indicating that the priciest variant of the device, the Limited Edition OLED Steam Deck, may be prone to cracks.

Numerous owners of the Limited Edition OLED Steam Deck have taken to the Steam Deck subreddit, sharing photos and anecdotes of discovering tiny cracks on the back of their relatively new devices, primarily near the screws. Some users expressed their disappointment and concern, attributing the cracks to a potential quality issue with the translucent shell material.

The Reddit thread quickly gained traction, with other individuals chiming in to confirm similar experiences with their Limited Edition Decks. A sense of frustration was prevalent among the affected users, who expected durable craftsmanship from their prized gaming devices.

While Valve has encountered mixed responses in regard to replacing the cracked devices or offering free fixes, some owners reported more positive outcomes after sharing their posts and images with the company. This suggests that the issue is widespread and highlights a potential flaw in the plastic material used in the Limited Edition OLED Steam Deck.

Kotaku has reached out to Valve for additional information regarding the cracking concerns. As of now, it remains uncertain whether the cracks are strictly cosmetic or could lead to more significant damage to the device. However, they do not appear to render the device unplayable.

To prevent these cracks from forming, users have shared a popular fix within the Reddit community – loosening the screws on the back of the Steam Deck slightly to alleviate stress on the plastic. It has been suggested that some of the screws on the Steam Deck OLED may be overtightened, contributing to the occurrence of cracks.

Although these cracks are small and seemingly harmless, they can be frustrating for owners who have invested nearly $700 in their Limited Edition Steam Deck OLED. Valve's response to this issue remains to be seen, and customers will be eager to find out if the company will address these concerns through device replacements or repairs.

In the meantime, owners of the Limited Edition OLED Steam Deck are advised to stay vigilant and take necessary precautions to avoid further damage.