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Valve’s Steam Deck OLED has arrived, and it’s a thrilling improvement on the original LCD version. This new iteration features a gorgeous OLED screen, improved battery life and better thermal efficiency, all aiming to elevate the portable gaming experience. But is it worth the upgrade? In this review, we’ll explore its display, performance, battery life, and general usability, as well as detailing the best Steam Deck OLED accessories available to maximize your gaming setup.
Display – A Huge Leap Forward
The biggest upgrade on Steam Deck OLED is of course the OLED screen, now measured at 7.4 inches. In comparison with the last LCD model, the OLED panel gives you:
- Bolder colors with darker blacks
- Improved contrast and HDR support
- higher refresh rate (90Hz) for smoother gameplay
- Full Glass Solution The highly improved outdoor visibility and super bright display
From wandering dark dungeons in Elden Ring to taking out opponents in Cyberpunk 2077, the enhanced screen has made everything richer and more immersive.
Performance — As Old As It Gets, But Smooth
The Steam Deck OLED has the same AMD APU (custom Zen 2 and RDNA 2 architecture) as before, so the raw performance factor hasn’t changed. But thanks to better cooling and power efficiency, you’ll see:
- More consistent frame rates in power-hungry games
- Less heat accumulation, making for a more comfortable grip through extended use
- Improved thermal management for quieter fan noise
It doesn’t deliver a next-gen performance boost, but these changes make for a more stable and enjoyable gaming experience.
Battery Life — A Substantial Improvement
The new Steam Deck is 30-50% better in terms of battery life than the original model, due to the power efficient OLED screen and better thermal design. Expect:
- 3-5 hours of gaming on demanding titles such as Baldur’s Gate 3
- Lighter indie games: Up to 10 hours
This is a big boost for portable gaming, meaning less need to stay plugged in all the time.
Small Tweaks, Big Impact — Design and Comfort
Valve has made some small but significant design tweaks as well, including:
Les take quickly looks at what to toy video shows to us on the unboxing
- 268 grams, as opposed to 298 grams for the 55, which makes it easier to hold
- Increased durability of buttons and thumb sticks
- Improved Wi-Fi (6E) support for speedier downloads and less choppy cloud gaming
- These small updates make the Steam Deck OLED even easier to use when gaming for long periods.
Top Accessories for the Steam Deck OLED
Here are Steam Deck OLED accessories to help maximize your experience:
✔ THE COMPLETE SET – Protective Hard-Shell Case
✔ Docking Station – Connect to a monitor/TV and use the Deck as a full gaming PC.
✔️High-Speed MicroSD Card – Expand Storage with No Slowdowns Game✔️High-Speed MicroSD Card – Expand Storage with No Slowdowns Game
✔ Screen Protector — Protects the OLED display from scratches and smudges
✔ External battery pack – For extended gaming on the go.
Not only do these items protect your investment, but they also add to your gaming room.
Final Verdict – Is it Worth Upgrading?
Overall, unless you’re looking for the superior display or battery life, the OLED model isn’t a must-buy — and if you have the original Steam Deck, you don’t need to upgrade. But for newcomers to Steam Deck or those looking to find the best portable gaming experience, the Steam Deck OLED is definitely worth getting.
Thanks to its gorgeous OLED display, improved battery and polished design, Valve has taken a great device and made it better. The best Steam Deck yet, whether you’re a hardcore gamer or a casual player.
✅ Pros:
✔ Gorgeous HDR OLED display with 90Hz refresh rate
✔ Longer battery life and better cooling
✔ New, lighter, smaller, more comfortable design
✔ Improved Wi-Fi speeds for downloading and cloud gaming
❌ Cons:
✖ No significant increase in performance to the original
✖ Still large and ungainly for a portable device
✖ Price could be too much for current Steam Deck owners
If you want a powerhouse of PC gaming in portable form, the Steam Deck OLED gives you performance and visuals at the very top of the portable game at one of the best handheld consoles available anywhere in 2023.