I’m on a computer from 2017, so a handheld at today’s prices isn’t an easy buy, and I wondered if my phone could do the job. Here’s what works.

Know what a handheld costs now

On May 27, 2026, Valve raised the Steam Deck OLED from $549 to $789 for the 512GB model and from $649 to $949 for the 1TB. Valve said the Deck itself hasn’t changed, and the new prices reflect component costs.

Use the phone you already have

Phones are great for games built around touch, and there’s nothing extra to buy.

Stream from a PC

Valve’s Steam Link app streams games from a PC to a phone over 5GHz Wi-Fi or Ethernet. The game still runs on the PC, so the PC has to be able to run it.

Add a controller

Touch controls don’t suit every game. Steam Link supports controllers, so a gamepad can help.

Match the device to your games

• Touch-friendly mobile games: your phone
• Your PC library around the house: Steam Link
• PC games on the go: a Steam Deck

A phone isn’t a Steam Deck. It just means picking games that fit what you already own.