Is The Steam Deck OLED Worth It?

Quick Links

• Review

• Time Expenditure

• Cost

• What Players Are Saying

The Steam Deck OLED is a handheld gaming computer running a custom version of Linux called SteamOS. Through the Proton compatibility layer, Windows applications and games are essentially translated into Linux, allowing for a seamless console-like gaming experience.

Is The Steam Deck Worth It?

Is Valve's first handheld PC, the Steam Deck, worth the price?

If you're on the fence about whether to buy the Steam Deck OLED, you've come to the right place. There are several other handheld gaming computers on the market, each with its own pros and cons, which can make settling on one to buy and use difficult. Below, we'll take a look at everything you need to know about the Steam Deck OLED, and if it's worth your money.

Review

The Steam Deck OLED is a hardware refresh version of the Steam Deck, including several improvements over the original, most notable being an OLED screen.

If you're unfamiliar with the Steam Deck in general, it's essentially a handheld gaming computer running SteamOS. This means it incorporates seamlessly with your Steam library, enabling you to take most of your games on the go. A built-in desktop mode even allows the Steam Deck to function just like a computer, using the trackpads on either side of the device as mouse input.

Steam uses a compatibility verification process that checks how a game will run on the Steam Deck. Games that are fit for the Steam Deck and run almost flawlessly are labeled "Deck Verified", while others may be playable with some caveats.

Most games with anti-cheat systems do not work with Proton, and can't be played on the Steam Deck.

While the Steam Deck isn't a replacement for a capable gaming PC, it does offer a unique use case for people who don't have a lot of time to spend at their desks. As a handheld portable console, you can take the Steam Deck anywhere.

While they don't yet own the Steam Deck OLED, Features Editor Tessa Kaur thinks it might be their big gaming purchase of the year. Enticed by the ability to play their ever-growing Steam library in a place that isn't their computer desk, they also recognize the improvements the OLED has made over the original Steam Deck.

The Steam Deck would be the perfect way for me to play all the indies I want to play, but never seem to have the time to. All those hours I spend commuting from place to place could be better spent gaming.

And the OLED is a major upgrade. It has significantly more battery life, faster downloads, it’s lighter, and it runs cooler. Most importantly, the OLED screen makes everything look better.

Steam Deck LCD vs. Steam Deck OLED

So, how much better is the OLED over the LCD Steam Deck? In the image above, you can see the spec comparisons between the default 256GB LCD model, the 512GB OLED, and the 1TB OLED.

While it may not look like much at first, the upgrades here are pretty good. The OLED screen is the standout between the two models, offering a much wider color range, more accurate colors, and deeper blacks. All of these will enhance the visual experience of the Steam Deck, while the 90Hz refresh rate enables a maximum of 90FPS in games that can handle it.

The OLED's screen is also slightly bigger than the LCD models, with a 0.4-inch diagonal display increase.

The Steam Deck OLED is equipped with a 6nm APU, offering a very slight performance increase over the original Deck. This new custom chip is a bit more power-efficient, leading to the OLED's longer battery life.

The OLED has a 50Whr battery, a difference of 10Whr over the original Steam Deck's. This translates to around two to three more hours of battery life in the OLED Deck, depending on what you're doing with the device.

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Time Expenditure

As a handheld console, how much time you put into the Steam Deck is entirely up to you. The Steam Deck lets you access your Steam library from anywhere, like while traveling, on the couch, or at the park.

The Steam Deck is also a very capable emulation machine, able to run almost everything up to some PS3 and Xbox 360 titles. Of course, the performance you get in these games depends on a variety of factors. Still, the world of emulation adds an endless amount of time you can spend gaming on your Steam Deck.

The main detracting factor to how long you spend on your Steam Deck is its battery life. While the OLED model greatly improves the battery life of the console, this can vary depending on what you're doing with the Steam Deck. For example, you'll probably only get an hour or two of charge when playing demanding AAA games like Baldur's Gate 3 or Cyberpunk 2077.

On the other hand, emulating older, less demanding consoles like the PSP or Nintendo DS can give you battery life upwards of seven or eight hours.

Using manual power consumption controls, you can limit the amount of power your Deck draws when playing games at the cost of performance. This is entirely optional, but can improve battery life when you need it for longer sessions.

Cost

The Steam Deck OLED is available in two different options: the 512GB OLED and the 1TB OLED. The 512GB model is the default and cheapest option for the new OLED refresh, while the 1TB OLED has a few added bonuses, the main one being an anti-glare etched glass screen, which the 512GB OLED does not include.

The 512GB OLED costs $549, while the 1TB OLED costs $649.

If you want to dock your Steam Deck to an external display, like a TV or monitor, you can also purchase the official Steam Deck Docking Station, which costs $79.

What Players Are Saying

A Surprisingly Substantial Upgrade - Jacob Whaling

The OLED refresh of Valve's Steam Deck provides a much-needed upgrade to the few downsides the original handheld had. The battery life is a bit longer, the build quality is a bit better, and the screen is one of the best available at this price point on a handheld console. The 90hz refresh rate and beautiful color accuracy make playing almost every game a visual treat.

The Steam Deck is a great handheld for PC gamers who love PC games, but find themselves sitting at their desk too often. The simple act of taking my Steam library to the couch or in bed has revitalized my interest in a ton of games I had forgotten about. The OLED is an upgrade in every single way over the original, making it a no-brainer for anyone that is interested in buying a Steam Deck for the first time.

The OLED is a bit harder to recommend to someone who already has the original Steam Deck, but the upgrades are very nice. If you don't really care about how the screen looks, or you plan on mainly using the Steam Deck in its Dock, then you're probably better off getting the cheaper LCD model.

A Worthy Upgrade - Jacqueline Zalace

When I first heard of the original Steam Deck, I did not grasp why it was necessary. I changed my mind, but when the OLED was announced, I had the same thought as well. It's still a Steam Deck, how different can it be? Impressively better. You never realize how good an OLED screen is until you game on one. Everything is crisp and bright, really bringing every game to life.

Even the battery life itself is impressive. Some games on the Switch instantly drain the battery if you decide to play in handheld mode. While the price can be a bit steep, it's definitely worth the investment; especially if you don't already own the original LCD version.

Better To Play, Tougher To Pay - Ben Sledge

The Steam Deck OLED is better than the original Steam Deck in every conceivable way. The screen is brighter and more vibrant, and the extended battery life is most welcome. However, if you're playing a more demanding game, be prepared to have a power bank handy or keep the deck plugged into the mains, as it will still drain in a few, short hours.

In my mind, this stops it from being truly portable, and the high price is hard to justify unless you're hardcore about modding the console, using the desktop mode to install emulators, and are happy getting into the nitty gritty of perfecting the device's performance. If that's you, then the Steam Deck is a no-brainer. If you're more of a casual player, it's harder to justify the cost.

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