The Steam Deck OLED appears similar to the Steam Deck LCD but offers significant improvements.
Valve undersells the OLED's improvements, but real-world usage shows more substantial upgrades in multiple areas.
Key Improvements
Battery Life
LCD Model: Poor battery life, especially with demanding games like 'Elden Ring' (around 1 hour of playtime).
Initial and current tests show similar battery life, indicating minimal degradation.
OLED Model: Over double the battery life under same test conditions (around 2 hours and 27 minutes).
Valve's claim: 30-50% improvement, but tests show over 100% improvement.
Display Quality
LCD Model: Basic display with fine but uninspiring visuals.
OLED Model: Dramatic improvements in color accuracy, brightness, and contrast, creating a sharper and more vibrant screen.
Added 90Hz refresh rate (better for gameplay, specifically for fast-paced indie games like 'Dead Cells' and 'Hades').
Larger screen size by about 12%, making text easier to read.
Thermals and Cooling
LCD Model: Loud fan noise and high temperatures even with moderate usage.
OLED Model: Quieter fans and cooler operation (10° cooler chip), improving handheld comfort and overall experience.
Improvements lead to better performance (10-20% better FPS in demanding games like 'Elden Ring').
Additional Upgrades
Software and Connectivity:
Improved touchscreen responsiveness and lower input lag.
Bluetooth 5.3 and Wi-Fi 6E for better connectivity and reduced drops.
Portability: Slightly lighter which makes a noticeable difference during use.
Market Position and Buying Decision
Performance: Still lags behind competitors like ASUS ROG Ally and Lenovo Legion Go, which offer up to 100% better performance in some cases.
Use Case Considerations: Best for users who play a select number of games and value a smoother, more user-friendly experience.
For broader game use and flexibility, might consider alternatives.
Personal Impact
Steam Deck has positively affected the speaker's gaming habits by fitting into small time gaps in their day-to-day life, making gaming more accessible.
Summary
The Steam Deck OLED offers significant improvements over the LCD model in battery life, display quality, thermals, and overall usability.
Despite its performance lag behind newer competitors, it remains a strong option for specific use cases, particularly for those who value ease of use and play mainly Indie or less demanding games.
Final Thoughts
Comment with your most played game on the Steam Deck or other handheld devices.