Steam Deck Component Discontinuation, ROG Ally Standalone Sales, Google Play Store Opens Up

Valve is gradually discontinuing the supply of replacement parts for older Steam Deck LCD models as of July 2026. According to repair site iFixit’s inventory status, key replacement parts such as batteries and screens are out of stock. Considering Valve has already ceased sales of Steam Deck LCD models, this move appears to be a natural progression, but it has sparked dissatisfaction among users. This is especially true given Valve simultaneously raised the price of its Steam Deck OLED, making it increasingly difficult for users who wish to keep their older models operational to source replacement parts.

Background and Impact of Component

Discontinuation

Since the launch of the Steam Deck OLED in November 2023, Valve has been gradually phasing out sales of the LCD model. According to a report by Liliputing’s Brad Linder, repair hub iFixit has marked replacement batteries and screens for the LCD model as out of stock, due to Valve halting their supply. The company has yet to clearly state how long support for sold products will continue.

Meanwhile, concerns are growing within repair communities about the difficulty of securing spare parts. Batteries, in particular, are prone to wear and tear over time, and without replacement parts, the lifespan of the device will be significantly shortened. Valve has actively promoted the repairability of the Steam Deck in the past, but some critics argue that discontinuing support for older models so soon is premature.

In related news, Brad Linder of Liliputing also reported on Lenovo’s announcement of its cloud gaming handheld “Legion C700,” the launch of System76’s Linux laptop “Adder Pro” with a 15.3-inch OLED display, and the production start of the Pebble Round 2 smartwatch in July. The Adder Pro by System76 features a Core Ultra 7 356H, up to RTX 5070, and 96GB of RAM, although the 60Wh battery capacity has been noted as a drawback. Meanwhile, Core Devices has promised free replacements for cracked screens on Pebble Time 2 smartwatches.

ASUS ROG Ally X20 Offers Standalone Sales

ASUS has reversed its policy of bundling the ROG Ally X20 handheld gaming PC with AR glasses, opting to offer the device for standalone purchase instead. Released in June, the ROG Ally X20 features a 7.4-inch OLED display and was originally sold exclusively with AR glasses. However, after receiving significant feedback from users who did not require AR glasses, ASUS announced in July that it is considering standalone sales options.

In the current handheld PC market, competitors such as Valve’s Steam Deck OLED and Lenovo’s Legion Go challenge the ROG Ally X20. By removing the AR glasses requirement, ASUS may increase its competitiveness in terms of pricing. However, this change also suggests that ASUS’s strategy of promoting AR glasses through bundle sales may have fallen short due to sluggish sales performance.

Third-Party App Stores Coming to Google

Play Store

Starting July 22, Google will allow the distribution of third-party Android app stores on its mobile app store, Google Play Store. This move follows a court injunction issued as part of Epic Games’ legal battle with Google. Although Google sought to modify the injunction, both companies reached an agreement to abandon efforts to amend it.

Specifically, users will be able to search for and download other app stores (such as Samsung Galaxy Store, Amazon Appstore, or Epic Games Store for Android) directly within the Google Play Store app. This development reflects the court’s ruling that Google must not obstruct developers from distributing competing stores.

The impact on the industry is significant. Until now, the Google Play Store has functioned as the dominant channel for Android app distribution. With this change, developers will be able to reach users through multiple stores, potentially driving competition in app pricing and quality. However, security concerns have also been raised, and it remains to be seen whether Google will implement any review processes or policies for distributing third-party stores.

Editorial Opinion

This series of news highlights shifts in platform strategies and ecosystem dynamics. The discontinuation of Steam Deck components underscores the reality that hardware vendors determine support periods based on their product cycles. From the perspective of users who prioritize repair rights and long-term use, it is understandable that there is frustration over the difficulty of obtaining replacement parts just a few years after sales ended.

ASUS’s decision to change its bundling strategy for the ROG Ally X20 demonstrates the company’s flexibility in responding to market feedback in a short period. This likely reflects lower-than-expected demand for AR glasses, necessitating a reevaluation of the standalone value proposition of handheld PCs.

From a long-term perspective, Google Play Store’s opening up to third-party app stores could be a pivotal moment in reshaping the Android ecosystem. While the move may reduce Google’s revenue from store fees, it could lead to lower app prices and improved quality through increased competition. However, it also raises challenges, such as managing dispersed security risks and maintaining a consistent user experience. Since this measure stems from a U.S. court decision, it could have implications for regulatory trends in other countries, including Japan.

References

• “Lilbits: Steam Deck is phasing out Steam Deck LCD spare parts, the Asus ROG Ally X20 will be available without AR glasses, and 3rd-party app stores are coming to the Google Play Store”, by Brad Linder — Liliputing, 2026-07-15T20:10:44.000Z (ARR)
• Source URL: https://liliputing.com/lilbits-steam-deck-is-phasing-out-steam-deck-lcd-spare-parts-the-asus-rog-ally-x20-will-be-available-without-ar-glasses-and-3rd-party-app-stores-are-coming-to-the-google-play-store/