By upgrading its Steam Deck to an OLED version, Valve promised bigger screens, faster downloads and longer battery life. This article explores how these improvements affect the gaming experience, and whether the Steam Deck OLED is truly a revolutionary step in the world of portable gaming devices, or just a much-needed upgrade.
When it's Valve in 2022 presented Steam Deck, has set a new standard in the world of portable gaming devices. Now it's coming Steam Deck OLED – with a bigger screen, improved battery and faster downloads. But the question arises: are these improvements enough to talk about a real revolution in portable gaming?
The Steam Deck OLED boasts a 7.4-inch 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display that supports up to a 90Hz refresh rate, delivering richer colors and contrasts, especially in dark scenarios. So games like “Darkest Dungeon II” and “Baldur's Gate 3” really come to life on screen with their detailed landscapes and life-like portraits of characters.
Improved 50Wh battery Steam Deck OLED it provides 3 to 12 hours of gameplay depending on the game, which is a noticeable improvement over the previous model. In addition, the device is equipped with Wi-Fi 6E connectivity for faster downloads and an overall improved Wi-Fi experience.
Although the design of the device has not been significantly changed, minor adjustments such as slightly lighter weight and improved cooling are welcome. The controls and haptic feedback have remained almost the same, which some may not like, but the device still fits comfortably in the hand.
Valve has continued to expand its library of games that are "certified" for Steam Deck, meaning that players have a vast collection of games that work well on Steam Deck, whether it's new OLED model or older LCD models.
The Steam Deck OLED is available for purchase, with prices starting at $549 for the 512GB version and $649 for the 1TB version, which also includes anti-reflective etched glass, an exclusive virtual keyboard.
Steam Deck OLED it undoubtedly brings improvements that address some of the shortcomings of the original model. With an improved battery, screen and additional features, it sets a new standard in the world of portable gaming devices. While it may not be a revolutionary leap in technology, it certainly represents a step forward and is worth considering for portable gaming enthusiasts.
