Valve Announces Steam Deck OLED
Valve has announced a new version of its handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck OLED, which features a new 7.4-inch HDR OLED screen, a larger battery, faster Wi-Fi, and other enhancements. The Steam Deck OLED will launch on November 16, with pre-orders starting next week.
The Steam Deck OLED is an upgraded model of the original Steam Deck, which debuted in July 2021. The OLED screen offers brighter colors, deeper blacks, a smoother motion rendition, a slightly larger size, and a higher refresh rate of 90Hz. The OLED display also consumes less power, contributing to the new device's 30-50% longer battery life. Valve claims that the Steam Deck OLED can play games for up to eight hours on a single charge, depending on the settings and usage.
The Steam Deck OLED also boasts a faster Wi-Fi 6E chip, which supports higher bandwidth and lower latency for online gaming and downloads. Valve says the Wi-Fi 6E can deliver up to three times faster download speeds than the previous Wi-Fi 5 chip. The Steam Deck OLED has improved audio, haptics, touchscreen, Bluetooth performance, and a lighter weight and cooler operation.
The Steam Deck OLED will be available in two storage options: 512GB and 1TB, priced at $549 and $649, respectively. Both models will come with a microSD card slot for further expansion. The 1TB model includes a limited edition carrying case with a removable liner. Valve has also reduced the prices of the original LCD models, which will be discontinued after the launch of the OLED models. The 64GB model will now cost $349, the 256GB model will cost $399, and the 512GB model will cost $449.
The Steam Deck OLED is not a successor to the Steam Deck but rather an alternative option for those who want a better screen and battery life. Valve has previously stated that it does not plan to release a Steam Deck 2 until at least 2025. The Steam Deck OLED will run the same SteamOS 3.0 operating system, which is based on Linux and allows users to access their Steam library and other PC games. The Steam Deck OLED will also be compatible with the Steam Deck Dock, which enables users to connect the device to a TV or monitor via HDMI.
The Steam Deck OLED is expected to compete with other handheld gaming PCs, such as the Aya Neo, the GPD Win 3, and the One XPlayer. However, Valve hopes that its large Steam user base, exclusive features, and affordable pricing will give it an edge in the market. The Steam Deck OLED will also compete with the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), which launched in October 2023 and features a similar OLED screen and a $349 price tag.
The Steam Deck OLED is the latest product from Valve, the company behind popular games such as Half-Life, Portal, Dota 2, and Counter-Strike. Valve is also known for its hardware innovations, such as the Steam Controller, the Steam Link, the Steam Machine, and the Valve Index VR headset. The Steam Deck OLED is Valve's attempt to bring PC gaming to a broader audience and offer a portable and versatile gaming experience.
