The Steam Deck portable game console is definitely equipped with an M.2 2230 SSD hard drive slot, but this specification limits players to replace the SSD, not all SSDs have the M.2 2230 version.
According to the latest test by Twitter user Belly Jelly, the issue about the version can be ignored. Valve has left a lot of DIY space for Steam Deck players, and replacing it with a longer and larger SSD is not a problem.
Belly Jelly said that the Steam Deck’s PCB space is very large, allowing users to retrofit M.2 2230 sockets to M.2 2242 sockets. Modules that can be added by themselves without interfering with any electronic components on the PCB. It should be noted that since the new module will bend the heat sink slightly, it is necessary to remove the thermal pad on the top of an inductor next to the M.2 slot. Except for this one, the other places are ok.
Belly Jelly stated in the test report that after installing SteamOS in the newly replaced M.2 2242 SSD, the average write speed during the installation process was as high as 406 MBps, and the performance was not affected.
One thing to note, though, is that users need to pay close attention to the power consumption of their SSDs, according to Valve’s guidelines. If third-party SSDs consume more power than regular SSDs, users experience overheating and reduced battery life. Valve placed the M.2 2230 slot very close to the wireless module, and it claims to have tested various SSDs to find one that wouldn’t interfere with Steam Deck’s wireless and Bluetooth connections. Therefore, the third-party SSD purchased by the user may reduce the stability of the wireless connection.