Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
TheSteam Deck OLEDis start up to show sting - in matter .
YouTuber Wulff Den secrete a report on the Steam Deck OLED , showing it suffer fromOLED burn - inafter 1,500 hour of cover time . This is n’t the first time we ’ve seen a torture mental testing on the Steam Deck OLED , but Wulff Den ’s experiment is particularly potent . The YouTuber was among the only masses to put the Nintendo Switch OLED to the test on the burn - in front , and the ordered updates over the course of two years remain some of the most - view television on the distribution channel .
Jacob Roach / Digital Trends
The Steam Deck organic light-emitting diode express tan - in upshot much faster than the Nintendo Switch OLED . It took just over 63 day for the Steam Deck OLED to explicate burn - in based on Wulff Den ’s testing , and that ’s a generous fourth dimension physique . YouTuber The Phawx tested the handheld briefly after it discharge with the maximum HDR luminosity and find burn - in after just 750 hours .
Before you throw your Steam Deck out , though , keep in creative thinker that these are accelerated stress mental test . Even if you run your Steam Deck at maximum brightness , it wo n’t develop burn - in after 750 hours if you ’re putting a diverseness of different message on the screen . These metre frames are if you go out a static trope on the screen , 24 minute a sidereal day , 7 days a hebdomad .
Still , Wulff Den ’s examination expose some critical precaution that are missing from the Steam Deck OLED to prevent or minimize burn - in . Most OLED screens come with a set of features that keep burn mark - in at bay for as long as possible . proctor like theAlienware 34 QD - OLEDhave short - condition and recollective - terminus pixel cleaning feature , for representative , which adjust the light output of individual pixels so the CRT screen attend reproducible . Other displays , such as the recentAsus ROG PG34WCDM , even include stable constituent dimming . This take inactive content on the screen and dim it to forbid tan - in .
likewise , OLED boob tube usually let in a form of pixel shifting . This is where static elements will slow shift back and forth on neighboring pixel so there is n’t too much stress put on one readiness of pixels . You ca n’t see this happening , but it helps keep the covert looking fresh . With a set of moderation features , an OLED video display can last you years without issues .
As someOLED experts have told us , the technology has a limited ledge life history . At some stop , the organic material used for organic light-emitting diode will wear out out , manifesting as either burn - in or vastly reduced brightness . These features extend the life-time span as long as potential , however , and hopefully that ’s long enough where the machine is far past its utility .
The problem is that the Steam Deck OLED does n’t have any of these features . Wulff Den reach out to Valve to support , and a representative said that “ we are n’t aware of user having issues under normal use . ” In fairness to Valve , the Nintendo Switch OLED , the only other handheld with an OLED presentation , also does n’t include these features .
So , why did the Steam Deck OLED burn - in show much faster ? Valve ’s handheld is significantly shiny . In fact , it can reach peak brightness of 1,000 nits in HDR , which is on the same level as a proper OLED play monitoring machine . The Switch does n’t support HDR , and in SDR , it crown out below 400 nit .
Brightness greatly increases how quickly burn - in occurs . The brighter you start the organic fabric , the more strain you put on it , and the faster it degrades . That ’s why the Steam Deck OLED devolve so much faster than the Nintendo Switch OLED in these kinds of focus trial . The screen just gets a lot bright .
In fairness to the Steam Deck OLED , you probably wo n’t run it at maximal brightness at all times . There ’s also a dynamic brightness alternative built into the equipment that will align the screen based on ambient lighting . The endangerment of burn mark - in is peachy on the Steam Deck OLED compare to something like the Nintendo Switch OLED , but that ’s because Valve ’s handheld is subject of more .
The wrench in these cogs is Valve ’s warranty . Valve offer a one - twelvemonth circumscribed warranty on the Steam Deck OLED , which is typical of most electronics . This warrantee covers the silver screen under normal use , but you ’re unbelievable to see burn mark - in within the first year of owning the machine . That ’s why we ’re seeing most major proctor trade name like Alienware , MSI , Asus , Gigabyte , and LG update their warranties on OLED display to two or even three age .
I do n’t want to stir up fearfulness about the Steam Deck OLED . It’sprobably my favored gaming devicedue to its immense flexibility , solid performance and battery life , and of class , the beautiful OLED display . I ’m not worried about my Steam Deck OLED developing burn - in , and if you own one , it ’s not something you should turn a loss sopor over , either .
That does n’t change the fact that the protections against burn - in are n’t enough on the Steam Deck OLED . The screen is adequate to of HDR and searing brightness , driving up the risk of sunburn - in in a forgetful period of metre if you start the screen at full tilt . Some mitigation features , combined with a long warranty for the screen , at least gives some peace of mind of mind for what is still a very young class of twist .
