The extra memory comes with a caveat: this does not mean the Steam Deck 2 will ship with 24 GB, only that someone, whether AMD, Valve or another OEM, is testing that configuration. On the CPU side, the sample appears to use Zen 6 or Zen 6c cores, though the mix is unclear, and there is even a possibility AMD will use the Zen 6 LP cores recently detailed in relation to the PlayStation 6 handheld.

GPU results are harder to read. The Gainsborough sample scored 3,508 in Furmark at 1024 × 768, while the current Steam Deck managed 3,323 at 1280 × 800. The results are close despite the Steam Deck running at a higher resolution, and if the new APU was on early drivers, that is a promising sign for its final GPU performance.

There is prior reporting that the Steam Deck line may move away from custom AMD silicon towards a semi-custom or off-the-shelf part, which would mean Gainsborough could end up in systems beyond the Steam Deck 2. Valve, for its part, said in September 2026 that a future Steam Deck remains on track, with developer Pierre-Loup Griffais noting the goal of "a very delineated performance improvement" while timing depends on current conditions.