The Steam Deck OLED has undergone a significant refresh, surprising many who doubted its arrival. This latest iteration boasts numerous improvements across its major components. The most noticeable upgrade is the larger OLED display, now at 7.4 inches, featuring a 90Hz refresh rate, 600 nits brightness, and enhanced color accuracy. The external dimensions have remained relatively consistent, except for the addition of a distinctive orange power button, marking it as the new version.
Steam deck Oled Specs
| Feature | Description |
|---|---|
| Display | Larger 7.4-inch OLED display, 90Hz refresh rate, 600 nits brightness, enhanced color accuracy. External dimensions remain consistent, with the addition of a distinctive orange power button. |
| Internal Chip | More energy-efficient 6nm chip, offering a slight performance boost and quieter fans due to reduced heat generation. RAM remains at 16GB but operates at a faster speed of 6,400 mega transfers per second. |
| Battery | Increased battery capacity by 25%, from 40W to 50W, contributing to an extended battery life. |
| Physical Components | Sticks, shoulder buttons, touchpads, and speakers have all seen enhancements for a more enjoyable gaming experience. The OLED screen is particularly praised for improved contrast, delivering better visuals in both bright and dark gaming scenarios. The top-tier configuration features an anti-glare etched glass finish, though it may impact vibrant colors associated with OLED displays. |
| Internals | Changes in screws, fan size, and SSD orientation. Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip upgraded to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with a dedicated antenna for Bluetooth signals. Not all parts are interchangeable between the new and previous models. |
| Pricing Strategy | Consistent pricing strategy from Valve, offering the base model at $399. Mid-tier and top-tier configurations, featuring the OLED refresh, provide increased storage options at fair prices. |
| Accessories | The Steam Deck now comes with a two-piece case. The inner case allows for a more compact transport option but lacks space for the AC adapter found in the larger case. |
| Conclusion | While the Steam Deck is an impressive handheld gaming device, it may not match the power of certain Windows handhelds designed for AAA gaming experiences. Overall, the Steam Deck OLED refresh offers a compelling package with notable upgrades in display quality, performance, and user experience. |
Internally, the Steam Deck now runs on a more energy-efficient 6nm chip, offering a slight performance boost and quieter fans due to reduced heat generation. The RAM remains at 16GB but operates at a faster speed of 6,400 mega transfers per second. The battery capacity has increased by 25%, from 40W to 50W, contributing to an extended battery life.
In terms of physical improvements, the sticks, shoulder buttons, touchpads, and speakers have all seen enhancements, providing a more enjoyable gaming experience. The OLED screen, with its improved contrast, is particularly praised for delivering better visuals in both bright and dark gaming scenarios. The article notes that the anti-glare etched glass finish on the top-tier configuration may impact the vibrant colors typically associated with OLED displays.
Exploring the device’s internals, there are changes in screws, fan size, and SSD orientation. The Wi-Fi and Bluetooth chip has been upgraded to support Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, with a dedicated antenna for Bluetooth signals. Despite these internal modifications, the article points out that not all parts are interchangeable between the new and previous models.
Valve’s pricing strategy for the Steam Deck remains consistent, offering the base model at $399, while the mid-tier and top-tier configurations, featuring the OLED refresh, provide increased storage options at a fair price. The article commends Valve for prioritizing user needs in this refresh, in contrast to other companies focusing on monetary gains.
In addition to the hardware improvements, the Steam Deck now comes with a two-piece case. The inner case allows for a more compact transport option, though it lacks space for the AC adapter found in the larger case. The article concludes by emphasizing that, while the Steam Deck is an impressive handheld gaming device, it may not match the power of certain Windows handhelds designed for AAA gaming experiences. Overall, the Steam Deck OLED refresh offers a compelling package with notable upgrades in display quality, performance, and user experience.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions)
1. What are the key improvements in the Steam Deck OLED refresh?
The Steam Deck OLED refresh features a larger 7.4-inch OLED display with a 90Hz refresh rate, 600 nits brightness, and enhanced color accuracy. The external dimensions remain consistent, with the addition of a distinctive orange power button marking it as the new version.
2. What internal enhancements have been made to the Steam Deck?
Internally, the Steam Deck now runs on a more energy-efficient 6nm chip, providing a slight performance boost and quieter fans due to reduced heat generation. The RAM remains at 16GB but operates at a faster speed of 6,400 mega transfers per second. The battery capacity has increased by 25%, from 40W to 50W, contributing to an extended battery life.
3. How have the physical components of the Steam Deck been improved?
The sticks, shoulder buttons, touchpads, and speakers have all seen enhancements, promising a more enjoyable gaming experience. The OLED screen, known for improved contrast, is particularly praised for delivering better visuals in both bright and dark gaming scenarios.
4. Are there changes in the internals of the Steam Deck, such as screws, fan size, and SSD orientation?
Yes, the article mentions changes in screws, fan size, and SSD orientation in the Steam Deck’s internals. However, it notes that not all parts are interchangeable between the new and previous models.
5. What is the overall assessment of the Steam Deck OLED refresh?
The Steam Deck OLED refresh offers a compelling package with notable upgrades in display quality, performance, and user experience, according to the article’s conclusion.
6. How does Valve price the Steam Deck and its configurations?
Valve maintains consistent pricing for the Steam Deck, offering the base model at $399. The mid-tier and top-tier configurations, featuring the OLED refresh, provide increased storage options at fair prices.
