Video Gamer is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Prices subject to change. Learn more
The Steam Deck OLED is now available in territories in the US and the UK and we’re bringing you everything you need to know about Valve’s latest handheld gaming PC. It’s not a sequel device, however, this hardware revision features a vastly improved display, superior battery life, stronger connectivity options, and higher storage capacity.
We love this device, stating in our Steam Deck OLED review that it’s “the definitive handheld PC”. We also think that the Steam Deck OLED is the perfect gateway to PC gaming. We’ve continuing our coverage of this handheld extensively, so be sure to come back to VideoGamer for the latest features all around Valve’s newest handheld. Read on to get the full story on why it’s one of the best handheld games consoles.
Steam Deck OLED: price
The Steam Deck OLED model starts at $549 for the 512GB SSD model and $649 for the 1TB variant. Early adopters will also be able to get their hands on a Limited Edition 1TB version for $679 that features a black and red color scheme and a translucent shell instead of the standard black and grey finish.
It’s worth stating that the OLED model starts at the same rate as the previous 512GB LCD flagship, effectively replacing the older model at no added price. That’s because Valve is phasing out the older 512GB model which can now be found significantly discounted alongside the previous entry-level unit, the 64GB eMMC version which will soon be gone from the line-up.
Steam Deck OLED: release date
The Steam Deck OLED was released on November 16 and is currently available in regions such as the US and the UK directly from Steam. It currently has an estimated delivery date of 3-5 business days so you can expect to get it in your hands far faster than the previous model’s week or two delivery model. However, depending on where you are in the world, availability could be different.
Steam Deck OLED: specs and features
The big selling point of the Steam Deck OLED is of course the improvement of the larger HDR-enabled OLED display on the handheld gaming PC. It’s a full 0.4 inches larger than the previous LCD screen and features a bumped up refresh rate of 90Hz with a contrast ratio of 1,000,000 and a 110% color gamut. Your Steam games will look incredible on this display with an improvement jump of what we saw from the base Nintendo Switch to the Nintendo Switch OLED a couple of years ago.
On a surface level, it appears as though the only main difference between the Steam Deck OLED and the base model is the vastly improved panel, but that’s not the case. The cliff notes are that Valve’s latest hardware revision also boasts up to a 50% battery life thanks to a physically larger battery slotted into the case.
What’s more, that’s not at the expense of a bigger unit either. That’s because the Steam Deck OLED model is 5% lighter (by around 30g) than the base unit and includes a bigger fan inside for theoretical cooler performance. We’ll let you know if this is the case when we get our hands on the system in the very near future.
It may sound like a small inclusion but this new model also features Wi-Fi 6E connectivity replacing the older Wi-Fi 5 that was found in the original. This means more consistent and faster overall wireless functionality for downloading and streaming games to the unit. You’ll also find the OLED model clocked slightly faster thanks to 6400 MT/s RAM as opposed to the original version’s 5500 MT/s which should mean minor performance increases depending on a game’s RAM usage.
Does the Steam Deck have an OLED display?
Yes, the new Steam Deck OLED model features the vastly superior panel type which means far greater color contrast, deeper blacks, and a sharper overall image quality compared to what was seen with the older LCD models. If you want the best handheld experience, you’ll want to go for one of these.
Can I upgrade my Steam Deck to the OLED model?
At this point in time Valve is not offering a trade-in or upgrade scheme to go from the base model to the upcoming variant, however, this could change in the near future. The hardware company is offering sweeping discounts on its soon-to-be-discontinued models, so you could get the older LCD versions for less.
Is OLED much better than LCD?
OLED displays are famed for their vivid color contrasts and deeper blacks for much more accurate color reproduction. If you’re someone who primarily wants a Steam Deck for portable and not docked use then this one appears to be vastly better.
Should I buy the 1TB Steam Deck OLED model?
If you’re someone with a massive Steam game library who wants to keep a ton of demanding software available on the go then the 1TB variant is the right one for you. It should be said, however, that some manufacturers have made SSDs for the handheld PC, but this capacity would eliminate the need to open it up.
