Valve Quietly Releases New Steam Deck OLED: Is It Worth It?

Valve quietly released its new Steam Deck OLED, which starts at $549 with various new features, including a better screen, battery, and more.

The new portable console version will come with a slightly larger 7.40-inch OLED screen compared to its predecessor's LCD screen. Furthermore, the new screen will be much smoother and send images at 90Hz. The new model also promises a better color gamut and features better colors and blacks.

New Steam Deck OLED

(Photo : AFP PHOTO / ROBYN BECK (ROBYN BECK/AFP via Getty Images)
Valve quietly released a new version of its portable console, the new Steam Deck OLED, that features a variety of upgrades and starts at a $549 price tag.

The upgraded screen is not the only better part of the new console, as it is also said to have 30% to 50% more battery life compared to the older model. Valve said that the new OLED screen uses even less power than its predecessor and would be lighter and cooler because of a larger fan.

The new Steam Deck OLED will also have better touchscreen responsiveness and a better Bluetooth antenna for more controllers. The new model comes with a Wi-Fi 6E module for better wireless connections, as per Gadget Match.

To top it off, the new portable console's package will come with a softer case that would provide sufficient protection if you do not need the durability of a hard case. The new version will come out with 512GB and 1TB storage modes, costing $549 and $649, respectively.

The Steam Deck OLED will start shipping out to customers on Nov. 16 and comes parallel with Valve's commitment not to produce a handheld for the next few years. The new version of the console is designed to be the ultimate version of the original Steam Deck.

The new model would also come with a larger heatsink, louder speaker with improved bass, 1mm taller thumbsticks with a wider head and recessed smoother thumb divot, and darker printing on buttons on top of other features.

While it sports a variety of changes and upgrades, the new model will still have some features that will stay the same. According to The Verge, this includes processor specs, basic performance with no turbo mode, RAM, dimensions, and case compatibility.

Upgrades Over Its Predecessor

With the upcoming release of the new OLED version, Valve confirmed that it would be discontinuing the 64GB and 512GB LCD models while also discounting the prices of some other products.

In a recent interview, Valve said that its Steam Deck team was experimenting with and thinking about other colorways for the portable console. This is in reference to a limited edition Steam Deck OLED model that features a stunning translucent design.

This model is only available in 1TN, includes an exclusive design carrying case, and is priced $30 more than the regular 1TB Steam Deck OLED. Furthermore, the Limited Edition model is exclusive to customers in the United States and Canada.

Besides this, Valve keeps its Steam Deck line all-black and only has options to change its colors through third-party backplates and skins. However, the company has not ruled out making additional colorways for the console but noted that no promises are made about the variants, said IGN.