While Valve’s partnership with iFixit to offer Steam Deck replacement parts is common knowledge, the latter inadvertently published what seems to be the entire repair parts inventory for the handheld gaming console. Turns out, DIY-minded gamers may be able to replace virtually every component on the powerful handheld gaming device.

iFixit Prematurely Sells Steam Deck Repair Components

Earlier today, several iFixit pages selling Steam Deck replacement parts went live prematurely. The repair inventory included everything from simple chargers and face plates to more elaborate components, such as the IPS LCD display and motherboard. The latter, as HotHardware explains, is a $350 part incorporating the custom Aerith SoC that AMD has developed for Valve.

Although iFixit and Valve had announced their Steam Deck user repair partnership earlier in February this year, the repair firm issued a tweet clarifying the premature reveal. The leaked product pages for Steam Deck spares were apparently fully operational. Interestingly, iFixit has promised to honor deliveries for those who had snapped up these pre-release parts.

Valve’s Repair-Friendly Handheld Console

Valve has committed to break the mould by making the Steam Deck the most repair-friendly handheld video game console yet. The entire device can be disassembled with a single Phillips head screwdriver. With the exception of the display and battery, the rest of the parts steer clear of messy adhesives to focus on easy removal and replacement.

Steam Deck's modular thumbstick daughterboard
Image Credit: iFixit

The Steam Deck’s most important DIY repair concession, however, comes in the form of modularized thumbsticks that can be individually replaced as independent modules for $20 each. These critical parts are technically consumables that must ideally be swapped over time to avoid the annoyance of Joycon drift famously plaguing the Nintendo Switch handheld consoles.

In fact, we even have a handy guide for fixing PS4 controller drift that underscores the value of Steam Deck’s modular approach.

Steam Deck Repair Inventory Will Expand in Waves

The leaked parts inventory has an interesting mix of consumables such as thumbstick modules and assorted button assemblies. But DIY enthusiasts can easily upgrade their Steam Decks to the anti-glare screen restricted to the 512GB flagship model for a relatively reasonable price of $94. The repair parts bin revealed so far is marred by some notable omissions, such as the battery module, metal sub-frame components, ribbon cables, face buttons, touchpads, D-pads, and associated rubber membranes.

However, Valve and iFixit are most likely working together to finalize these replacement components. In fact, iFixit provided The Verge with a comprehensive list of 23 distinct parts spread over 28 stock keeping units (SKUs) as a part of an initial release. The repair firm revealed that battery replacement won’t make it into the first wave of the repair inventory, but it is working with Valve to that effect.

Steam Deck Spares Coming "Soon"

There’s no official release date for the initial repair parts, but iFixit says it will be making them available “soon”. Just don't expect spare batteries to be available anytime soon, considering how it is the most difficult component to replace in the Steam Deck. The good folk at iFixit are most likely working on a safe and cost-effective DIY battery replacement solution for the handheld device.