Review of Valve Steam Deck OLED: An Enhanced, Crisper Upgrade

Between all those pads, buttons, and sticks on the front of the Steam Deck OLED is its new screen. If there was any weak point to the older Steam Deck, it was the screen, which was a little dim, not super colorful, and at only 7 inches diagonal, a bit small. All of that changes with the new display. It uses OLED technology to show a much more vivid picture that can get way brighter (600 nits in standard dynamic range, and 1,000 nits peak when used with HDR games, up from a peak of 400 nits on the old LCD) as well as way darker, since pixels on OLED screens can fully turn off, making for inky-black blacks. The OLED display is slightly bigger too, with an additional 0.4 inches on the diagonal, and with a faster 90-Hz refresh rate for a smoother look in less graphically intensive games and the Deck’s menus.

An Eye-Poppingly Gorgeous Upgrade

The Steam Deck OLED’s screen is truly a sight to behold. Even in bright sunlight, where the original Deck’s screen struggles, the OLED version cuts through the glare. In HDR-capable titles like Cyberpunk 2077, the vibrant neon signs and streetlights of Night City come to life as you drive through the rainy streets. The OLED display presents intense colors and striking contrasts, with even non-HDR games appearing more punchy and vibrant.

Efficiency Takes Center Stage

While gamers often crave more power and performance, Valve has taken a different approach with the Steam Deck OLED. They prioritized efficiency over raw horsepower, introducing a new custom chip manufactured with a superior 6-nm process. This chip decreases power usage while maintaining similar overall speeds.

Performance and Battery Life

In testing, the Steam Deck OLED’s performance numbers were comparable to the older model, indicating that the new device offers a similar level of gaming experience. In benchmark tests for games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Stray, there was no significant difference in frame rates between the original Deck and the new OLED version. However, the Steam Deck OLED outshines its competitors in terms of battery life. With its updated Valve-designed processor and bigger battery, the OLED model lasts longer, even though playing time may vary depending on the graphics intensity of the games.

Stunning Graphics, Verified Compatibility

Valve has made it a point to validate games for the Steam Deck OLED, clearly marking them in the Steam store. This ensures that gamers have a seamless experience when selecting games for their device. While some games are yet to be tested, many are labeled as “playable” or “Great on Deck.” Popular titles like Baldur’s Gate III, Elden Ring, and Mortal Kombat 1 are rated as Great, while graphics-intensive titles like Starfield are unsupported due to the Steam Deck OLED’s low-power chip. However, there are plenty of cool and enjoyable indie games, such as Hades and Vampire Survivors, that run smoothly on the Deck and offer extended battery life.

Conclusion

The Steam Deck OLED is a stunning upgrade, particularly with its vibrant OLED display that enhances gaming visuals and provides a more immersive experience. While it may not boast the same level of raw power as some competing handhelds, its impressive efficiency, improved battery life, and verified game compatibility make it an appealing choice for gamers on the go.