Tariffs and gaming handhelds: Should I buy a Steam Deck, ROG Ally, or even a Nintendo Switch right now?

Should I buy a gaming handheld now before tariffs increase prices?

Considering your intention to purchase a portable gaming device, it could be advantageous to make the purchase sooner rather than later, as potential customs duties may lead to price increases at U.S. stores.

Under the present tariff conditions, it’s more probable that the costs of Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and Nintendo Switch devices won’t decrease, instead, they may increase.

To clarify, I don’t intend to instigate impulsive buying or excessive spending, so I’m not suggesting that everyone rush out and buy a handheld device at this moment. However, if you were already contemplating the purchase, then perhaps now could be an opportunity for you.

Keep going to find out about the current pricing trends for popular gaming handhelds in the United States, and learn how their costs have changed from their initial recommended prices.

What do tariffs do, anyway?

It’s expected that there will be substantial price hikes for electronic goods, including top-tier gaming handhelds, in the U.S., as a result of the Trump Administration substantially increasing tariffs on more than 70 nations, many of which produce these devices.

As a researcher, I invite you to keep up with our real-time updates on the ongoing “trade wars,” where we delve into the most recent developments regarding tariffs, personal computers, laptops, graphics processing units (GPUs), and gaming equipment.

But what is a tariff, anyway, and how does it affect you?

Every country has tariffs — basically a tax paid by companies importing goods into the country.

The tariff rates vary among various goods, and these rates may differ significantly from one nation to another.

As the tariff increases, so does the expense a company faces when importing a product. If a company can’t find a way to recoup these higher costs, it may be more economical for them not to import the product at all.

For example, businesses might raise prices on imported products, or they could absorb the tariff costs themselves if they believe they can recoup the expenses through additional revenue streams such as digital transactions related to a gaming system.

When a business chooses to share the burden of its operational fees with its customers, I notice that the cost of their goods tends to increase.

Given these circumstances, it’s expected that prices for handheld games in the U.S. could rise substantially because a majority of these devices are manufactured in China and are subject to high import taxes.

Current gaming handheld prices in the U.S.

I’m monitoring the current prices of Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and Nintendo Switch gaming handhelds in the U.S., versus their manufacturer-recommended prices, to save you the trouble.

Over time, I noticed that the starting price for the MSI Claw 7 AI+ increased from $799 to $829. Similarly, the initial cost for the Legion Go S (SteamOS) rose by $50 as well.

Here’s a list, arranged alphabetically, that shows the current prices for popular gaming handheld devices available in the United States:

1. Nintendo Switch Lite – $199.99
2. New Nintendo 3DS XL – $169.99
3. PlayStation Vita – $199.99 (for a new model) or around $150 to $200 for a used one
4. PSP Go – Approximately $100 to $200 for a used device

Will any gaming handhelds not get affected by tariffs?

If China’s current high import taxes continue for some time, it’s likely that pricing for all portable gaming devices will increase over time.

In simpler terms, well-known portable game devices that are widely available in the United States may stay at regular prices for extended periods since manufacturers don’t need to bring in more stock immediately due to high tariffs.

Given their widespread availability in U.S. retailers, it might take longer for the initial Nintendo Switch, Steam Deck, and ASUS ROG Ally handhelds to undergo price drops, as they are currently being sold by numerous outlets.

In the U.S., less popular devices such as the Nintendo Switch 2, MSI Claw 8 AI+, and Lenovo Legion Go S (SteamOS) might be challenging to acquire at affordable rates due to their limited availability.

But we’ll have to wait and see what happens.

Gaming handheld production locations

A variety of original equipment manufacturers often operate multiple factories, some of which are situated in various nations across the globe.

This diagram indicates the main areas where these gadgets are manufactured, however, it’s possible that additional sites might also be involved in their production.

Oh, by the way, you’ll often find imported portable gaming devices classified under the HS Code 95045000, which is for “Handheld video game consoles and machines.

*The present tariff scenario is highly unpredictable and liable to alter on a daily basis. I’ll make an effort to stay abreast of the most recent tariffs to the best of my ability.

As I stand here, I observe that there exists a free trade agreement known as the USMCA (United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement) between these three nations. Yet, it’s essential to note that goods not encompassed within this agreement are subject to tariffs. In an ideal scenario, handheld devices would fall under the USMCA’s coverage.

Gaming handhelds and tariffs FAQ

Why is tech getting more expensive in the U.S.?

The Trump Administration has imposed significant taxes on foreign products entering the U.S., which includes technology items such as the Steam Deck, ASUS ROG Ally, Lenovo Legion Go, and other gaming handhelds, primarily manufactured in China.

On April 9, 2025, Trump enforced an unusually high tariff of 104% on Chinese imports. In retaliation, China imposed a tariff of 84% on U.S. goods imported into their country. Trump responded by increasing the tariff to 125%. The situation is expected to evolve further in the coming days.

To put it simply, tariffs are fees that businesses must pay for products they import from other countries.

Frequently, a business requires customers to pay both the import duty (tariff) and the product’s cost to ensure that the process of bringing in the goods is financially beneficial for them.

As such, higher tariffs on a product often lead to increased prices for that product at retailers.

It’s worth keeping in mind that each portable gaming device is constructed using parts manufactured in various locations.

Essentially, portable processors and screen technology could face extra taxes or production hurdles that may escalate the overall cost of technology products.

Or, simply put: Due to potential taxes and production difficulties, the cost of portable devices with advanced processors and screens might rise significantly.

How long will tariffs last?

It’s hard to know for sure how long these high tariffs will remain in place.

To date, the state of affairs has been quite dynamic, characterized by frequent alterations instigated by the Trump Administration, some of which are prompted by the actions taken by other nations.

It’s plausible that the current high tariffs might be reduced soon, or they could stay at this level for a while. There may be ups and downs in the future.

When will prices (and tariffs) go back to normal?

Answering that question is quite complex as it relies heavily on the future developments in the ongoing trade dispute.

If the United States manages to negotiate lower tariffs with various nations, there’s a likelihood that the cost of imported goods from these countries might decrease.

As such, we could go back to relatively normal pricing really soon, or it could take months.

What do tariffs do and how do they affect me?

In simpler terms, tariffs represent fees that nations impose on items brought into their country from other countries. Generally speaking, the greater the tariff, the pricier the products become.

Let’s use the 125% tariff the U.S. imposed on China on April 8, 2025, as an example.

Importing the basic Steam Deck LCD version, priced at $399, from China would incur a tariff of $498.75 due to the 125% tariff. Therefore, with the added tariff cost, the minimum price for the Steam Deck LCD configuration increases significantly to $897.75, making it substantially more expensive than its original price of $399.

In an attempt to cover the high cost of tariffs, U.S. merchants might decide to raise the price of the Steam Deck LCD to a maximum of $900, as illustrated in this scenario.

2025-04-11 14:10