If you’ve been holding off on shopping for a Steam Deck for a bit, I’ve received some nice information: Today, November 9, 2023, Valve introduced a {hardware} refresh for the Steam Deck. It’s known as the Steam Deck OLED and, sure, the brand new, (and really) improved display screen is considered one of its foremost options, however there’s a lot extra to get enthusiastic about. Is it value upgrading to the brand new system? Is now the best time to get a Steam Deck? Well, Kotaku received some hands-on time with the brand new unit and I’m able to share our preliminary findings.
Steam Deck OLED pricing and specs
Before we soar into the specifics, let’s speak value so you will get an concept of what all of this can value you when you’re considering of grabbing one. Valve will supply a number of Steam Decks at these value factors:
- $399 – 256BG Steam Deck LCD
- $549 – 512 GB Steam Deck OLED
- $649 – 1TB Steam Deck OLED
- $679 – 1TB Steam Deck Limited Edition
With these costs, the Steam Deck’s lowest value tier (which has the unique Deck’s display screen) improves with further storage. But importantly, the brand new 1TB OLED Deck is identical value the top-of-the-line launch unit was, now with double the storage, and an improved display screen, battery life, and extra.
Read More: It’s Now Even Easier To Check How A Game Runs On Steam Deck
Buy Steam Deck LCD: Steam | GameCease
Valve has made clear that the Steam Deck OLED is aiming for the “identical efficiency goal” as the unique mannequin, referring to the brand new OLED refresh because the “definitive first-generation Steam Deck.” That means you gained’t be enjoying extra demanding video games on the unit however the video games you at the moment have are going to look remarkably higher and extra vivid than they did earlier than.
Steam Deck OLED display screen particulars
As the title suggests, the premiere function of the brand new Steam Deck OLED is, sure, the brand new OLED display screen which impresses on first look—significantly when held as much as the unique, LCD Steam Deck.
Here are the Steam Deck OLED specs:
- HDR OLED
- Wide coloration gamut
- 110% P3
- Pure blacks—million to 1 distinction ratio
- Improved, extra responsive touchscreen
- Larger 7.4” image (up from 7” as a result of smaller bezel)
- 90Hz refresh fee (up from 60Hz)
- 1000 nit peak brightness (up from 400 nits)
- <0.1 ms response time
- More energy environment friendly
- Premium anti-glare etched glass (1TB and Limited Edition fashions solely)
The display screen improve is a exceptional enchancment over the preliminary LCD. In my time with the brand new unit, I bounced round between The Invincible, Signalis, Control, Sprawl, and Sea of Stars. In all of those video games, colours are considerably extra vivid. Not simply vivid, they principally glow. I observed this distinction whereas enjoying Sprawl, a retro-style first individual shooter set in a darkish cyberpunk metropolis full of glowy indicators that dazzle on this new display screen.
Read More: The Best Steam Deck Games In 2023 To Take With you Anywhere
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In Signalis, the deeper blacks of the OLED display screen dramatically improved the expertise. On the flip facet, Sea of Stars seems vibrant, clear, and colourful. Thanks to the OLED inside moments of booting up the hand-held, I ended caring concerning the specs of the machine and was swiftly immersed in every recreation I performed.
This is a beautiful, vibrant display screen that elevates the expertise of the Steam Deck. The improved colours and black ranges make it really feel extra premium than its first iteration. Is it a revolutionary leap? No, the unique Steam Deck continues to be an superior system. But the OLED mannequin merely appears like one of the best instance of what this model of the machine may be.
I additionally discovered that desktop mode is a bit nicer on the brand new display screen. It feels much less cramped, and shifting home windows round with the contact display screen could be very straightforward. It virtually makes me dream of a future the place this might simply be my foremost working system as a substitute of Windows.
Better battery, sooner downloads, lighter weight
The Steam Deck OLED additionally packs a 50Whr battery (the unique had a 40Whr) which mixes with a extra energy environment friendly refresh to the machine’s processor to make for improved battery life. Valve estimates that the Steam Deck OLED has anyplace from a 30 to 50 % enchancment in battery life.
It’s arduous to quantify how correct that’s proper now based mostly on early hands-on time, however merely organising the system alongside my unique 512 GB Steam Deck, it was clear that my outdated one was burning by means of the battery at a sooner fee.
Valve additionally states that the inclusion of a bigger fan will enhance thermals, however don’t fear: The exhaust vent nonetheless smells nice.
With a Wi-Fi 6E module onboard, you’ll even be downloading video games a lot sooner. I used to be in a position to obtain Control in round 10 minutes on my house Wi-Fi with 555 Mbps obtain charges. But even on public Wi-Fi, the Steam Deck OLED nonetheless downloaded video games remarkably sooner than the unique unit was in a position to. Having set each machines as much as A/B take a look at a couple of video games, the OLED was able to play a recreation with time to spare whereas the unique Deck ticked away at its downloads.
Valve additionally states that the machine is roughly 5 % lighter, and that distinction is noticeable. If I’m being trustworthy, I want the load of the unique, however hey, I’m a weirdo.
Here’s an inventory of the technical modifications:
Performance and Thermals
- APU die-shrink from 7nm to 6nm for energy financial savings
- 6400 MT/s reminiscence, improves latency, extra energy administration
- Improved thermal efficiency as a result of bigger fan
- Faster resume time by roughly 30%
Touchscreen
- Vastly improved responsiveness
- Higher polling fee (180Hz)
- Lower latency, higher accuracy, and consistency.
Bluetooth
- BT 5.3 module with a devoted antenna for a greater expertise when utilizing Bluetooth and Wi-Fi concurrently
- Better connectivity, particularly whereas docked
- Now helps extra Audio Codecs like Aptx HD and Aptx low latency
- Supports wake by way of Bluetooth controller
Haptics
- Improved, increased constancy haptics
- Redesigned trackpad for improved constancy and edge detection
Audio
- Louder audio system with improved bass
- Onboard mic can now be used concurrently because the headphone jack
Ergonomics
- 30g, or ~5% lighter
- Improved thumbstick texture and geometry for extra consolation and management
Power
- Redesigned energy provide with an extended cable (2.5m vs 1.5m)
- Faster charging with improved battery chemistry, 20%-80% in as little as 45 minutes
- WRGB charging LED
Repairability
- Switched to machine screws on the rear cowl with steel bosses, to disassemble/reassemble extra reliably
- Torx screws to scale back head stripping
- Lowered the variety of screw varieties all through the system
- Fewer steps required for frequent repairs
- Bumper change is now on the joystick board for simpler restore, improved bumper shock reliability
- Replacing the show doesn’t require taking the again off
As you’ll be aware, Valve has determined to place Torx screws on the again as a substitute of the present Phillips head screws. Thankfully, these are usually not the safety Torx variants with the raised dot within the center. As acknowledged above, this was achieved to stop stripping.
Aesthetic modifications give the Steam Deck OLED a greater sense of character
Though there’s a restricted version, translucent mannequin that Valve will supply for $30 greater than the highest Steam Deck OLED, the common mannequin does have some nicer aesthetics than the unique.
The cutest is probably the orange energy button (which is joined by an out-of-sight RGB energy gentle that turns inexperienced when the system is absolutely charged). Orange appears to be the theme of the OLED variant: The splash display screen has a Steam Deck brand with an orange middle and the newly designed case (which incorporates a Velcro strap to shut it and a detachable inside shell for extra space, however sure it nonetheless has the thriller sock, useful rear strap, and thriller pocket) additionally has the orange-themed Deck brand.
Valve additionally changed the thumbsticks, which not solely really feel higher, however the black stems, mixed with extra subdued colours within the face, […], and Steam buttons assist the system fade away a bit extra when you’re enjoying a recreation. Curl up in a darkish nook on the sofa, and all you’ll see is the gorgeous OLED display screen, nothing else distracting.
Overall the extra putting uniformly black look, mixed with the neat orange button, affords some refined character, that I haven’t seen in most Valve {hardware}, which normally is extra utilitarian in type.
This is much more true of the restricted version (obtainable in USA and Canada solely) mannequin which includes a snazzy translucent display screen, and coloured accent marks on the thumbstick stems and rear exhaust grill.
Should you improve your Steam Deck?
Valve’s characterization of the Steam Deck OLED because the “definitive first-generation Steam Deck” is on level. But it’s not a subsequent gen leap for the Deck. It goals to ship the identical efficiency, simply approach prettier.
So when you’ve been holding off on an improve for larger processing energy, this won’t be the Deck you’re on the lookout for—however rattling does it look good.
If you haven’t gotten a Deck but and have been ready, fortunate you. The Steam Deck OLED was definitely worth the wait—. internally it’s principally the identical machine that many people have fallen in love with within the final yr, however the larger and far more beautiful display screen (and different aesthetic enhancements) make this an superior possibility for first-time patrons
But if you have already got a Steam Deck, I don’t know that I’d instantly shell out one other six-hundred-plus bucks for an additional. Mine’s solely been in service for a couple of yr, so it might be robust to justify shelling out for the OLED so quickly. That stated, if cash is of no object to you , the visible enchancment of the OLED’s display screen is a beautiful step up. I’d be much less captivated with taking this one aside for certain—and never as a result of it feels much less fragile, I simply really feel extra compelled to protect this unit because it exists than I did with the unique.
Also, the Deck is a transportable machine. Maybe you’ve taken yours on a variety of journeys and it’s suffered quite a lot of battle scars from drops and extra? Maybe you’ve modded yours out to enhance aesthetics or efficiency (or considerably of a haphazard mess) and will use a brand new unit to both protect in its situation when you mod out your outdated one. For these, when you’re okay with the identical efficiency goal, the OLED Deck may be a pleasant {hardware} refresh.
The Steam Deck OLED is a good first Deck when you’ve been holding out. The new HDR OLED display screen seems completely beautiful in individual and enhancements to storage capability and battery life solely sweeten the deal. It’s the type of enchancment that makes you assume much less concerning the system and extra on the video games you’ll be having fun with.
Buy Steam Deck LCD: Steam | GameCease
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