When Valve launched the Steam Deck back in 2022, it generated a lot of positive publicity by partnering with iFixit to sell OEM replacement parts, but it seems as though that may be coming to an end, at least for the Steam Deck LCD. A recent Reddit post in r/SteamDeck showed a support email from iFixit explaining that the company would no longer stock the OEM replacement batteries for Valve's gaming handheld. The email states that the Steam Deck LCD batteries are out of stock and that "it is looking less likely that we will continue receiving OEM Steam Deck LCD batteries."
An iFixit representative later explained in a comment in the Reddit thread that "it's not that we're choosing to not stock these anymore. Unfortunately, Valve is just starting to sunset these parts." iFixit has, in both the original email and in the Reddit comment, confirmed that it is looking for alternatives to the OEM Steam Deck LCD battery. It seems as though the OLED Steam Deck model has not been impacted by Valve's decision, and the decision follows the recent discontinuation of the Steam Deck LCD in favor the OLED versions. Currently, there are alternatives on sites like Amazon, so it's likely a matter of time before iFixit is able to find an alternative.
As with most decisions like this, it has resulted in sizeable backlash online, with redditors accusing Valve of forced obsolescence, of abandoning its own product, and betraying much of the pro-repair messaging that surrounded the Steam Deck in its early days. Many also emphasized that the battery is a wear item that will inevitably need to be replaced, and that the LCD Steam Deck is at an age where batteries will need to start being replaced more frequently.