Valve has confirmed that iFixit will continue selling batteries for the steam deck after all. The company had initially suggested it would stop stocking replacement parts, leaving many puzzled as to why such an essential component would be discontinued just as demand was rising.

The unexpected news came after Valve and iFixit managed to secure a new supplier in time. 'They have hooked us up with a supplier, we’re working on it,' said iFixit CEO Kyle Wiens. This move is crucial for users who need to replace their batteries, as the process involves carefully loosening glue rather than simply removing the old one.

Wiens also pointed out that Valve and its suppliers miscalculated demand: 'If you get the forecast wrong, you run out, or you go wrong in the other direction and spend way too much money on parts sitting around doing nobody any good.' This situation is a reminder of how delicate supply chain management can be.

Despite the U-turn, it's worth noting that the battery replacement process isn't straightforward. iFixit had previously warned users about the difficulties involved: 'It's strongly glued into the frame, and you can’t just rip it out without potentially causing a fire; you have to carefully loosen the glue.' Valve designers admitted they weren't entirely satisfied with their adhesive choices.

Looking ahead, perhaps future versions of the Steam Deck will feature electrically removable adhesives, making battery swaps easier. For now, users can breathe a sigh of relief knowing they'll still be able to replace their batteries should the need arise.