The Steam Deck OLED Evaluate

The Steam Deck OLED releases at this time, offering a brand new avenue for sport gamers (particularly these with massive Steam libraries) to take their gaming expertise on the go. The brand new OLED fashions (one at 512 GB and one other at 1TB storage) successfully change the unique launch as the brand new Steam Deck flagship {hardware}. The older 64 GB and 512 GB LCD fashions are being phased out, whereas the 256 GB LCD will stay out there at a diminished value.

Steam Deck OLED just isn’t a basically new platform. In lots of ways in which matter, our evaluate of the unique nonetheless stands, and snagging one of many older LCD display fashions is now an much more substantial worth on the lower cost. Nonetheless, a number of of the issues that surfaced in that evaluate have been remedied by the brand new mannequin – sufficient {that a} new analysis is warranted.

Whereas I had few complaints concerning the authentic display, there’s little doubt that the brand new OLED is a step up. It’s additionally barely bigger, by about half an inch, which is a nice bonus. The brightness of graphics on the display is especially noticeable, as are colour gradations. A play session with the latest indie darling, Jusant, revealed breathtaking landscapes and a wealthy colour palette that look simply nearly as good as they’d on a fantastic gaming monitor. Black ranges had been additionally spectacular; a visit down the freeway of Darkest Dungeon II was foreboding and pleasantly bleak. The detailed landscapes of Baldur’s Gate 3 popped off the display, and character portraits seemed lifelike. The HDR functionality additionally impresses in video games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps, making tiny shifts in shadow depth in dim environments seem lifelike and delightful.

Certainly one of my chief issues with the unique mannequin was battery life. A conveyable gaming system is all nicely and good, however the enjoyable evaporates rapidly in the event you can solely get a number of hours of play. The unique Steam Deck wasn’t horrible in that regard, but it surely wasn’t a excessive level. Fortunately, the brand new Steam Deck OLED makes main strides on this division. It’s onerous to quantify, on condition that totally different use instances end in vastly totally different battery life. However, on the whole, I discovered sport classes lasting couple of hours longer earlier than a cost turned mandatory, in comparison with my checks of the unique mannequin. Valve’s claims of 30% to 50% higher battery life are, at worst, conservative estimates.

The shape issue hasn’t modified considerably. Like with the unique mannequin, I don’t love the excessive placement of the thumbsticks, however the haptic suggestions on the touchpads is sort of cool. The curved grips comfortably match grownup arms and fingers. It’s a smidge lighter; I’ll admit that I barely observed the distinction, however on condition that certainly one of my criticisms of the unique was its dimension and weight, it’s price a call-out. Total, the OLED mannequin nonetheless feels a bit of cumbersome in hand, however nothing that ought to scare away an fanatic.

I additionally famous that the brand new OLED mannequin doesn’t run as scorching as the unique; that was by no means a dealbreaker for me, but it surely’s a nice change. And whereas not each residence Wi-Fi system will be capable to leverage the benefit, it’s good to see assist for Wi-Fi 6E; when out there, that provides as much as sooner downloads.

Within the interim since our authentic evaluate of the Steam Deck, Valve has additionally continued to broaden its library of video games which are “Verified” for Steam Deck. Whereas not technically part of our {hardware} analysis, it’s notable right here as you take into account a potential buy; gamers now have an unlimited library of verified video games working nicely on Steam Deck. In sensible phrases, whether or not you play on the brand new OLED mannequin or one of many older LCDs, a way more in depth library of pleasing video games makes it price your money and time.

Over the months for the reason that authentic Steam Deck’s launch, different corporations have continued to push into this moveable PC gaming area; we’re very enthusiastic concerning the ROG Ally, for example. However Valve makes a potent argument for the worth of its new Steam Deck OLED for these gamers who’ve nonetheless been ready to snag a conveyable gaming PC. It seems and performs nice, options higher battery life than the unique, and makes minor modifications to an array of onboard methods, akin to elevated bass response within the audio or sooner battery charging, that add as much as a greater general expertise. It’s a straightforward suggestion for individuals who have been ready to take the leap.

The OLED mannequin is a harder promote for early adopters who bought a Steam Deck in 2022. Undoubtedly, it’s a step up in ways in which matter, but it surely’s a substantial expense for under incremental change. In the event you’re in search of the definitive moveable Steam sport participant, it’s undoubtedly the best way to go, however be ready for under minor modifications to the general expertise.