Valve take up the world by storm when it bring out theSteam Deckin 2021 , with the equipment go on to sell gazillion of unit over the next few years . thing became even more exciting in 2023 , when Valve launched the updated Steam Deck OLED — desexualize most of the original ’s issues while also bundling in a vibrant new display . OurSteam Deck OLED reviewfound it to be more than just a small update to the hand-held personal computer , and it ’s arguably one of the best ways to game in 2024 .

However , the original Steam Deck is n’t obsolete just yet . Several models of the original Steam Deck are still up for leverage , and they ’re see nice price cut as they tardily get phased out . But should you choose for the cheaper Steam Deck or the new Steam Deck OLED ? And what just is the difference between these two mannikin ?

Here ’s a close aspect at the handheld microcomputer to help you adjudicate which is best .

Pricing and availability

The original Steam Deck with an LCD display launched in February 2022 , with a price between $ 400 and $ 650 , depending on whether you want extra storage , a scratch - resistant screen , and some unique digital reward . There were earlier three options — 64 GB , 256 GB , or 512 GB of storage — but Valve will only sell the 256 GB modelling moving forwards .

At the fourth dimension of writing , the 64 GB and 512 GB models are still available , but Valve says it will only trade them while supplies last . All three of the original model have new , lower prices now that the Steam Deck OLED is useable . You ’ll drop $ 350 , $ 400 , or $ 450 for the 64 GB , 256 GB , or 512 GB simulation , severally .

The Steam Deck OLED launch on November 16 , and unlike the previous variant , it did n’t sell out immediately . Valve has two models uncommitted . There ’s a 512 GB model for $ 550 and a 1 TB model for $ 650 . The 1 TB role model also fall with an etched glass video display that ’s resistant to glare .

On top of the two model , Valve had a set - version version of the 1 TB simulation with a translucent shell usable for $ 680 . Unfortunately , this has since sold out .

There ’s not really a spoiled choice here in terms of pricing . If you want a deal , the adept poser to corrupt decent now is the $ 450 LCD variation with 512 GB of repositing . That ’s the good eruption for your buck . Still , the OLED models are n’t too expensive . Valve actually maintain pricing the same compared to the original prices on the LCD models , all while boost storage space .

Specs

On the surface , the Steam Deck OLED sound like a Switch OLED - style upgrade with new video display technology , but that ’s not the fount at all . The Steam Deck OLED is much more of a revision than its naming scheme might lease on . Ourinitial teardown of the Steam Deck OLEDrevealed that Valve touch nearly every aspect of the gimmick . This is a refresh , but it ’s a big one .

There ’s faster memory , support for next - generation wireless technologies like Wi - Fi 6E , and Bluetooth 5.3 . The weight unit is down a piffling too , which is always welcome in a portable play machine .

One of the biggest changes , though , is in barrage fire aliveness . With a big battery and more efficient components , Valve has bring off to increase overall battery life sentence by up to 50 % . It ’s now arrogate that , in ideal circumstance , the Steam Deck can guide for up to 12 hours , which is way beyond what you ’d expect .

A big part of that is the redesigned APU . The Steam Deck OLED utilize the same APU as the original , but it ’s work up on a 6 millimicron node . That allows it to be much more efficient than the original modeling , which , coupled with a large battery , moderate to big improvements in electric battery life . It also allow the Steam Deck OLED to consort a bit faster , which we ’ll dig into before long .

Screen

The standout feature of the Steam Deck OLED is , of course , the OLED CRT screen . colours look arresting , and that ’s due in no small part to the fact that the OLED has a more or less larger screen than the original good example . It also get under one’s skin much promising , with support for HDR and a prime brightness that ’s tight to 1,000 nit . Those are huge specs for a handheld , make the original concealment looking like a toy dog by comparison .

The show is also 90Hz , rather than 60Hz like on the original modeling , which should make anything you wager on it look much smoother if you’re able to take to the woods games at a high enough frame charge per unit to acknowledge it . This is arguably the with child modification for gambling , as gamers arebig fans of high-pitched refresh rates , and with honest understanding . In statute title likeDead Cellswhere you’re able to take vantage of the high refresh rate , the Steam Deck OLED is a game - changer .

The original screen is passable , but just barely . It ’s a 60Hz LCD display that ’s happy cracking 300 nit of brightness level , and it throws out all Hope of handling HDR content . It ’s not nauseating , but gamers looking for the most immersive experience should select the OLED poser .

Performance

One unexpected welfare of the Steam Deck OLED is performance . It ’s not a circumstances quicker than the original model , but it ’s still quicker . You ’re take care at a few frames in some games , or put another way , a performance boost in the low single digit . That jump , combined with the 90Hz screen , can still make a ton of deviation .

Across our retinue of games , the Steam Deck OLED notch the largest growth inDying Light 2,though it managed a atomic number 82 of a few frames in almost all the statute title we tested . One crucial game to call out here isHorizon Zero Dawn . With the Steam Deck LCD , you were contend to hit 60 frames per 2nd ( fps ) , but the Steam Deck OLED achieves that mark .

That ’s mostly been our experience with the Steam Deck OLED . It may only offer a few extra frames , but those frames really count . A good instance isElden Ring . This game operate exquisitely on the Steam Deck LCD , but it will often drop below 30 Federal Protective Service when you ’re out in the open world . That ’s not the casing on the Steam Deck OLED , where it often runs above 30 fps . The biggest boost here is consistency , with the extra powerfulness of the Steam Deck OLED push games over the edge .

The performance jump also gets the Steam Deck OLED much airless to free-enterprise handhelds likethe ROG Allywith the Z1 Extreme . When gibe the solvent , you may see the Steam Deck OLED now gets within spitting distance of the ROG Ally , while the LCD reading struggled to keep up .

The other bountiful welfare for the Steam Deck OLED is the 90Hz video display . Take a secret plan likeStrange Brigadeas an exemplar . It can run at close to 80 fps on the Steam Deck LCD , but you wo n’t in reality notice that redundant smoothness . In these less - demanding game , the Steam Deck OLED provides a much better experience by reserve you to actually see all of the frames that are being rendered .

Even if the Steam Deck OLED provided identical performance , it would be the winner here . The fact that it ’s faster is just the cherry red on top .

Battery life

The Steam Deck OLED come with a big battery than the original good example , which combine with a more effective APU , take into account it to achieve much higher battery life . We need to put those battery life improvements in context , though .

They are n’t consistent across games , so the barrage improvements drift from an extra 30 minute to several extra 60 minutes calculate on what game you ’re playing . In a demanding game likeDiablo 4,you’ll be golden to get 90 minutes out of the Steam Deck LCD . On the Steam Deck OLED , you ’ll comfortably cross the two - hour mark before reaching for your charger .

The big improvements come in less demanding games . With the Steam Deck LCD , there ’s a weird upper limit on battery spirit . Even in games likeDead CellsorVampire Survivors , you wo n’t get more than five - and - a - half or six hours . The Steam Deck OLED massively improves here , well offering between eight and nine hours of battery life in these less demanding games .

It was one of the first thing we notice with the Steam Deck OLED . In a run ofDead Cells , the OLED model drained about 5 % of its battery in 30 proceedings . On the original , you would at least drop 10 % in that same time .

The Steam Deck OLED is the new Steam Deck

It ’s easy to compose off the Steam Deck OLED as just a Steam Deck with a squeamish screen , but it ’s so much more . improvement in performance and battery sprightliness go a huge mode toward making the gimmick feel better to employ , and that ’s gage up by one of the best displays you could find on a handheld .

Valve is still selling the Steam Deck LCD , but it ’s best to economise your pennies for the OLED model if you need a superior experience .