The Steam Deck, now over four years old, has generated significant anticipation for a sequel, though Valve has stated that a substantial generational improvement in performance and efficiency would be required before development begins.
Recent leaks suggest that AMD’s Gainsborough processor could be a candidate for such a device. The chip’s codename follows the naming convention of previous Steam Deck chips, which were designated “Aerith” and “Sephiroth” after Final Fantasy VII characters, with Gainsborough being the surname of the character Aerith. The processor appears to be a semi-custom design built on TSMC’s N3P manufacturing process. Import and export records indicate that AMD has already shipped validation test equipment for the chip, potentially indicating that an undisclosed customer is evaluating it for deployment.
However, several factors complicate the assumption that Gainsborough is destined for a Steam Deck 2. Semi-custom chips frequently end up in applications different from their original intended purpose; the original Steam Deck’s processor was reportedly designed for other applications before Valve acquired it. Additionally, the Final Fantasy character-based codenames used for these chips originate from AMD rather than Valve’s internal naming conventions. The Gainsborough chip measures 25 millimeters by 25 millimeters, which represents a size increase compared to the original Steam Deck processor, though this could reflect efficiency gains or cost considerations.
Valve’s public statements regarding the timing and development status of a Steam Deck 2 remain noncommittal. As of recently, the company indicated it was still determining the appropriate timing and approach for a sequel. This cautious stance may reflect lessons learned from previous hardware delays affecting the company.
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