Valve has announced an upgraded version of its handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck OLED. The new model features a number of improvements over the original, including a switch to an OLED display, a larger battery, and a more powerful processor.
All you should know about Valve’s new Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED’s biggest upgrade is its new 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display. OLED displays offer deeper blacks, brighter whites, and more vibrant colors than traditional LCD displays, so gamers can expect a significant improvement in image quality with the new model.
Valve has also increased the size of the battery in the Steam Deck OLED. The new model now has a 50Whr battery, which is up from 40Whr in the original model.
This should translate to longer playtimes, with Valve estimating that gamers can expect to get anywhere from 3 to 12 hours of gameplay on a single charge, depending on the game.
Under the hood, the Steam Deck OLED is powered by an AMD “6nm APU” with a Zen 2-based 4-core/8-thread configuration and RDNA2 graphics.
This is a newer and more powerful processor than the 7nm APU used in the original Steam Deck, so gamers can expect to see better performance in games.
Other improvements to the Steam Deck OLED include upgraded speakers, haptics, and a trackpad. Valve has also added support for Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3.
The Steam Deck OLED will be available in two storage options: 512GB and 1TB. The 512GB model will be priced at USD 549, while the 1TB model will be priced at USD 649.
Valve will also be releasing a limited-edition 1TB Steam Deck OLED model with a transparent shell and a unique carrying case. This model will be priced at USD 679 and will be exclusive to the US and Canada.
Full Specifications of Steam Deck OLED
| Feature | 512GB OLED | 1TB OLED | 1TB OLED Limited Edition |
|---|---|---|---|
| Storage | 512GB NVMe SSD | 1TB NVMe SSD | 1TB NVMe SSD |
| Display | 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display, 7.4″ | 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display, 7.4″, Premium anti-glare etched glass | 1280 x 800 HDR OLED display, 7.4″, Premium anti-glare etched glass |
| Processor | 6 nm APU | 6 nm APU | 6 nm APU |
| Wi-Fi | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E | Wi-Fi 6E |
| Bluetooth | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 | Bluetooth 5.3 |
| Battery | 50Whr battery: 3-12 hrs of gameplay (content dependent) | 50Whr battery: 3-12 hrs of gameplay (content dependent) | 50Whr battery: 3-12 hrs of gameplay (content dependent) |
| Power supply | 45W Power supply with 2.5m cable | 45W Power supply with 2.5m cable | 45W Power supply with 2.5m cable |
| Carrying case | Bundled carrying case | Carrying case with removable liner | Limited Edition carrying case with removable printed liner |
| Steam profile bundle | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive startup movie | No | Yes | Yes |
| Exclusive virtual keyboard theme | No | Yes | Yes |
Pricing and availability
The Steam Deck OLED is a significant upgrade over the original model, with a better display, battery, and performance. It is a great option for gamers who are looking for a powerful and portable gaming PC.
Pre-orders for the Steam Deck OLED will open on Valve’s official website on November 16, 2023. The new model will be available in various countries, including the US, Canada, UK, EU, and others.
As for pricing, while the older Steam Deck with LCD screen starts at $399 for the 256GB ROM model, the Steam Deck OLED is priced at $549 and $649 for the 512GB and 1TB ROM respectively. Pricing for the limited edition is yet to be announced.
