Valve's handheld gaming PC sensation is getting an upgrade next week. It will feature an OLED screen and a host of improvements both above and below the surface.
There have been many attempts to shrink the power of a gaming PC into the form factor of a Nintendo Switch over the years, but none have been as successful as the Steam Deck. Valve's handheld gaming device was undeniably a step in the right direction in many ways, but still a little rough around the edges. And apparently Valve weren't satisfied with that, as they've just announced a hardware revision of sorts, called the Steam Deck OLED, that's coming on November 16!
Wait, a new model of a handheld device with an OLED screen? While people were waiting for a proper successor instead? Where have I heard that one before? Well, either way, the Steam Deck OLED's new screen is also slightly larger and has high-fidelity HDR support, allowing it to display a wider and more vibrant range of colors than the LCD screens of previous models.
But the changes from the LCD models don't stop there. Far from it, in fact! Here's a list of key advantages the OLED model will have over its older cousins:
- Larger OLED screen with HDR and a better refresh rate (90hz instead of 60hz)
- Up to 50% longer battery life and faster charging
- Slightly better GPU performance
- Slightly lighter weight
- Better Wi-Fi capabilities
- A more responsive touchscreen
- Enhanced analog sticks and trackpads
- A dedicated Bluetooth antenna for more reliable controller connectivity
- Easier disassembly, making part replacement less risky and more user-friendly
The Steam Deck OLED has a 512GB and 1TB model to choose from, replacing the mid- and high-end choices in the previous lineup. The 256GB LCD model is now the budget choice and has had its base price reduced to match the old 64GB price, while the 64GB and 512GB LCD models are now essentially on sale.
If you're in the US or Canada there's also a Limited Edition OLED model with some red accents and a smoky translucent console casing up for grabs soon, if you're feeling nostalgic for the Game Boy Color days (or just really like translucent hardware, which is equally valid).
So, Is The Steam Deck OLED Worth Buying?
Well, considering how the OLED's long list of improvements add up to a noticeably better overall gaming experience, I'd say anyone who was planning on buying a deck and can afford to spend a little more money should splurge on one of the new models. For everyone else, now's your chance to get one of the LCD models at a deep discount before they're gone forever!
The bigger question is, should people who already own a Deck upgrade to an OLED model? Well, hardware experts who have already gotten their hands on one are in love with it, calling it a refinement in every way and the ideal version of the device. So this clearly isn't just a minor improvement aimed at new buyers like the Nintendo Switch OLED was.
Valve mentioned in interviews before that a Steam Deck 2 is still a few years away. However, they also claimed that an OLED model would be a lot of work back in March of this year, and now it's been essentially shadowdropped. So if you're still happy with your LCD Steam Deck, it might not be the best idea to spend another few hundred dollars on what is ultimately just an improved Steam Deck 1 – when its successor could be just around the corner.