Thursday, November 9th 2023

Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

Nov 9th, 2023 14:29 Discuss (124 Comments)

Valve has announced an updated version of the Steam Deck and the headline feature is the new 7.4-inch OLED display. That's a mere 0.4-inches bigger than the original Steam Deck LCD display and it retains the same 1280 x 800 resolution. However, everything else related to the display has been improved and the refresh rate is now 90 Hz rather than 60 Hz. The display is also a lot brighter, with an SDR rating of 600 nits and an HDR rating of 1000 nits. Valve also claims a 110 percent P3 colour gamut, a one million to one contrast ratio and a sub 0.1 ms response time. On top of that, Valve has added what the company calls "high performance touch" which is said to improve the responsiveness of the display.

It's not just the display that has been improved, as Valve has moved to a 6 nm AMD Zen 2 based SoC which seems to allow the GPU to run at 1.6 GHz at all times, as Valve no longer lists a frequency range for the GPU. The power envelope remains the same though, with a range of 4-15 Watts. Paired with the new SoC is faster LPDDR5 memory at 6400 MT/s, up from 5500 MT/s, which should provide a small boost in gaming performance. An improved cooling solution is also part of the package, which is also likely a reason for the more constant GPU clocks. Gone are the entry level storage SKUs and the OLED version of the Steam Deck only comes with 512 GB or 1 TB of internal storage. The WiFi and Bluetooth module has also been overhauled and now supports WiFi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3. The battery has also been boosted from a 40 Whr pack to a 50 Whr pack and Valve now claims three to 12 hours of battery life during gaming, as well as faster charging times. Finally the weight has dropped by 29 grams, which might not be much, but still impressive considering the larger battery pack. The downside you ask? That would be the price, as Valve is asking for US$549/€569 for the 512 GB version, with the 1 TB coming at US$649/€679 when it becomes available on the 16th of November.

Source: Valve

Add your own comment

124 Comments on Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

#76

R-T-B

Vya DomusI am sorry but 1280x800 on an OLED is laughable, I mean objectively, OLED screens have an unusual sub pixel structure that make the perceived resolution lower than what it "technically" is, when you get down to 720P territory you're really pushing it.

No, not all OLEDs are pentile. I find it highly unlikely they'd try to push that at 720p.

#77

RayneYoruka

NordicWhat games would you play on the Deck? Very few games perform too bad at 800p on the custom APU Valve chose. Take a look at the most popular games on the deck. Some are very performance heavy.

I personally wouldn't play heavy games like Elden Ring or Cyberpunk on my Deck. I have a nice desktop. That doesn't stop hundreds of thousands of other gamers.

Valve chose a custom APU that is specially tuned to perform better at low power. If you look at benchmarks comparing the Deck to the Z1 and Z1 extreme, the Deck performs definitively better at 10w and below. It isn't until you get to 15w where the Z1 begins to perform better in some games.

Emulation mostly and anything that comes to mind aside from racing games, for everything else I can remote play from my main rig. I already do this anyway so I have my network optimized for game streaming / VR

#78

trsttte

Chrispy_There's not a lot of additional information in the LTT video, other than that one-liner.

I can believe Valve though, since Hall-effect sensors are quite complex, requiring microcontrollers and many more parts each of which is prone to failure and when mass-produced down to a price rather than built up to a quality, could easily be an RMA nightmare for Valve.

Regular analogue sensors are just super-simple potentiometers. They are a single two-piece component with one moving part. They may have a finite lifespan, but that lifespan is pretty decent and the metrics for reliability per cost are likely very difficult to beat. I'm not saying they're perfect, but I have used 25-year-old PS2 dual-shock controllers that still work fine, thanks to voltage drift being something that's easy to measure and automatically recalibrate. The deadzones might be a bit larger but they're still passable to provide enough analogue control to distinguish between creep/walk/run/sprint and it's a gamepad, not a life-or-death keyhole surgery controller :D

I think it's really only about changing to a new product that they'd then need to support. Regular analogue sticks also need some kind of microcontroller to read the potentiometers and make the data available to the system, hall effect sensors are not that complicated and there are tons of ready made solutions. I think valve didn't want to make yet another change to the product (that could be a middle finger to early buyers no less) and that's fair enough I guess.

Random_UserThis is basically the same chip, but shrunk a bit.

That's a great improvement, better node also means better efficiency, higher clocks and lower power consumption. Win win win.

#79

Space Lynx

Astronaut

CyberCTWHY NO VRR VALVE? WHY?!

I have found freesync isn't needed as much on SteamOS, I have no idea why that is though. I guess it would have helped harder to run games though you are correct.

#80

kapone32

Space LynxI have found freesync isn't needed as much on SteamOS, I have no idea why that is though. I guess it would have helped harder to run games though you are correct.

Does AMD have the Adrenline software for the Steam Deck?

#81

Gooigi's Ex

Space LynxSteamOS obliterates Windows, and 80% of my Steam Library is compatible with Steam Deck, so this will vary person to person, for me SteamOS and Steam Deck OLED are the way to go, looks like Ally is the way for you, have fun mate.

the entire library of 3 games that can run at 540 fps yep with a rtx 4090... neat.

And there is nothing wrong with that at all that you prefer the Steam Deck. I agree, Linux is just a breathe of fresh air when it comes to gaming and definitely would like to see more compatibility with games as times go on. We need Linux more than ever since Microsoft has bought Blizzard-King(I hate typing that name lol) and once Linux has the games that I normally play, would drop Windows in a heartbeat

Vya DomusI am sorry but 1280x800 on an OLED is laughable, I mean objectively, OLED screens have an unusual sub pixel structure that make the perceived resolution lower than what it "technically" is, when you get down to 720P territory you're really pushing it.

Would a 1080p display have been that much more expensive ?

BIG facts on that but at least it’s OLED so it’s start and it’s 90hz which is also a good start and honestly perfect for the Steam Deck. Wish it had 120hz but better than 40hz and 60hz

Guwapo77I think this retort is slightly misguided, "You can thank the consumer for this!" Apple, Dell, and the like does this, but we the consumer keep these big fellas in business. We don't have to buy from Apple, Dell, and friends...we could buy from the lesser guy like Gateway Computer...oh wait, they are no more. Anyways, you get the idea. ;)

What in the hell do you plan to play on it Solitaire? That is about all you will play on an APU at 4K/8K resolutions.

Diminishing returns yes, but Tim from Hardware Unboxed will certainly disagree with you after testing a 540Hz Asus panel. I get it we are talking about a handheld. I think 90 is the sweet spot for smoothness too. Anything under 90 just doesn't "feel" right.

It’s just the hip thing to do if you’re a tech enthusiast to hate Apple and that’s just a fact.

Easy RhinoIf you don't think this is one of the best things to happen in tech in the past 15 years then you are a child with very little knowledge. The HDR OLED on a LINUX DEVICE is such a huge win for the community.

And this is why I will never buy the Steam Deck. Period. Childish when not gooing over the improvements of the Steam Deck but will trash other handhelds because it’s a not a Steam Deck. That’s an Apple fan mentality. Just sad.

#82

Squared

friocasaNow, one of the best things about the deck was the value of the base model, and that one has now became a worse choice, went from 64 GB to 256 GB and that's about it, still the first LCD model, still the same price 2 years later, and will not be discontinued

I doubt Valve will keep that up in the long term. Unless I'm mistaken, the LCD model has a 7nm APU and the the OLED model a 6nm. Valve and AMD won't want to keep producing both. Although now that I'm thinking more about it, there's probably no reason the LCD model can't use the 6nm APU.

#83

sLowEnd

R-T-BNo, not all OLEDs are pentile. I find it highly unlikely they'd try to push that at 720p.

According to an interview, it's definitely not pentile
www.ign.com/articles/steam-deck-oled-interview-valve-reveals-how-the-oled-model-came-together

Selan: Correct. Yeah. So the resolution is still going to be 1280x800. 3 subpixels per pixel. So there's a variety of displays. Some of them use two subpixel patterns, but this is a full resolution at 1280x800. Though the frame rate of course is now capable of going all the way up to 90Hz.

#84

Nordic

RayneYorukaEmulation mostly and anything that comes to mind aside from racing games, for everything else I can remote play from my main rig. I already do this anyway so I have my network optimized for game streaming / VR

All but the newest emulators run great. Emulating switch games can be hit or miss depending on the game. Some perform well while others do not.

kapone32Does AMD have the Adrenline software for the Steam Deck?

AMD's graphics drivers are baked into the Linux Kernel. You don't need to install any drivers. There is no adrenaline software on Linux.

Gooigi's ExAnd there is nothing wrong with that at all that you prefer the Steam Deck. I agree, Linux is just a breathe of fresh air when it comes to gaming and definitely would like to see more compatibility with games as times go on. We need Linux more than ever since Microsoft has bought Blizzard-King(I hate typing that name lol) and once Linux has the games that I normally play, would drop Windows in a heartbeat.

Almost every game works on Linux now. Valve has made this possible with their contributions to proton. The main games that aren't working well are those with aggressive third party anti cheats, and that is often because the developers opt to not work on Linux. What games do you wish worked on Linux?

#85

Guwapo77

Space LynxSteamOS obliterates Windows, and 80% of my Steam Library is compatible with Steam Deck, so this will vary person to person, for me SteamOS and Steam Deck OLED are the way to go, looks like Ally is the way for you, have fun mate.

the entire library of 3 games that can run at 540 fps yep with a rtx 4090... neat.

Its targeted at esports players bro...I'm certain you know that.

#86

Imouto

CyberCTWHY NO VRR VALVE? WHY?!

Off the shelf parts. Last I heard volume didn't justify a custom OLED panel with VRR and eDP so they went with what was already available. Things haven't changed for the OLED unit but there was an OLED screen Valve could grab for the update. My best guess is that Valve was approached with this panel or they caught wind of it and the upgraded Deck was only possible because of that.

Things will surely change for the Steam Deck 2 since they can plan ahead and maybe ally (no pun intended) with other OEMs to have a panel more fitting for it.

#87

JasBC

Vya DomusI am sorry but 1280x800 on an OLED is laughable, I mean objectively, OLED screens have an unusual sub pixel structure that make the perceived resolution lower than what it "technically" is, when you get down to 720P territory you're really pushing it.

Would a 1080p display have been that much more expensive ?

That is wholly dependent on whether Valve paid for a screen with true RGB-subpixels or not, like Nintendo did for the Switch OLED.

Gooigi's ExAnd this is why I will never buy the Steam Deck. Period. Childish when not gooing over the improvements of the Steam Deck but will trash other handhelds because it’s a not a Steam Deck. That’s an Apple fan mentality. Just sad.

Other handhelds just run Windows and that cripples them, they are never going to be as optimised as the SteamDeck. And the SteamDeck is a leading cause for QoL-improvements for the whole Linux-ecosystem at the same time. Valve is leading the charge in unshakling users from Microsofts grip and that is good for everyone. Even Apple-users are benefitting due to Valve pumping money into Wine/Proton/Crossover, enabling modern games to run on macOS.

Who's the one that's childish?

#88

Space Lynx

Astronaut

kapone32Does AMD have the Adrenline software for the Steam Deck?

I will never answer this question, because I am a SteamOS fanboy and have no need for this question to be answered, case in point see my most recent post here about the SteamOS:

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/steam-deck-owners-clubhouse.291802/post-5139693

Gooigi's ExBIG facts on that but at least it’s OLED so it’s start and it’s 90hz which is also a good start and honestly perfect for the Steam Deck. Wish it had 120hz

90hz OLED is similar to 120hz IPS, just fyi, the motion clarity improvements from high refresh are derived from a mix of high refresh itself and pixel latency/response, OLED has 0.1ms pixel response/latency

#89

QUANTUMPHYSICS

I definitely would buy one. I'll wait till prices drop a bit on both the Steam Deck and the storage. I have soooo many collection games to play on this: Mega Man Legacy, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles... I'd even run Fallout 4 on it.

#90

Gooigi's Ex

JasBCThat is wholly dependent on whether Valve paid for a screen with true RGB-subpixels or not, like Nintendo did for the Switch OLED.

Other handhelds just run Windows and that cripples them, they are never going to be as optimised as the SteamDeck. And the SteamDeck is a leading cause for QoL-improvements for the whole Linux-ecosystem at the same time. Valve is leading the charge in unshakling users from Microsofts grip and that is good for everyone. Even Apple-users are benefitting due to Valve pumping money into Wine/Proton/Crossover, enabling modern games to run on macOS.

Who's the one that's childish?

You are! Read my comments and come back to me talking about childish. No need to verse me on Valve’s contribution to Linux. I don’t go around forums and trash other handhelds like the Steam Deck community does on a daily basis as their superior God Lord Gaben has commanded

Space LynxI will never answer this question, because I am a SteamOS fanboy and have no need for this question to be answered, case in point see my most recent post here about the SteamOS:

www.techpowerup.com/forums/threads/steam-deck-owners-clubhouse.291802/post-5139693

90hz OLED is similar to 120hz IPS, just fyi, the motion clarity improvements from high refresh are derived from a mix of high refresh itself and pixel latency/response, OLED has 0.1ms pixel response/latency

Exactly! That’s what I love about OLED and one of the main reason why I want LCD to die in a fire and never to be resurrected again. Of all of the old technology that we get rid of in the pursuit of convenience, why the fuck is LCD still around? OLED is cheap enough now and Micro-LED has a long way still to go to be “affordable”

Also i had the pleasure to experience the Alienware curved OLED monitor at 165hz and OMG. I’m spoiled and ready to get rid everything non LCD screen out of my house lol.

NordicAll but the newest emulators run great. Emulating switch games can be hit or miss depending on the game. Some perform well while others do not.

AMD's graphics drivers are baked into the Linux Kernel. You don't need to install any drivers. There is no adrenaline software on Linux.

Almost every game works on Linux now. Valve has made this possible with their contributions to proton. The main games that aren't working well are those with aggressive third party anti cheats, and that is often because the developers opt to not work on Linux. What games do you wish worked on Linux?

To give an obvious example, the gaming company that Microsoft just bought. Not all of their games work in Linux and I play their online games regularly with friends and Xbox Live which you can do on Linux but it’s not as seamless on Windows.

#91

Nordic

Gooigi's ExI don’t go around forums and trash other handhelds like the Steam Deck community does on a daily basis as their superior God Lord Gaben has commanded

No community is a monolith. Please don't ascribe the opinions of some steam deck fans to all Steam Deck fans. Please call individuals out here if someone is being like that.

#92

Space Lynx

Astronaut

Gooigi's ExTo give an obvious example, the gaming company that Microsoft just bought. Not all of their games work in Linux and I play their online games regularly with friends and Xbox Live which you can do on Linux but it’s not as seamless on Windows.

no handheld can do AAA games well of recent release, that is what a desktop is for, as well as these other desktop games you mention above. I prefer SteamOS if a game will run on it fine though. I have also found that certain games that won't run on Windows anymore (Prototype steam game) run great on Steam OS, so having a Steam OS device and a Windows device compliment each other nicely.

#93

Mysteoa

CyberCTWHY NO VRR VALVE? WHY?!

That being said, I still love my Steam Deck. VRR OLED would have made me actually upgrade.

If what Linus for LTT said is true, they can't. The LCD and OLED display are not using eDP connection, but something else that doesn't support VRR. Linus speculated that they are using the same display as the Switch. Valve didn't want to have a custom display build as they weren't sure how well it will sell

SquaredI doubt Valve will keep that up in the long term. Unless I'm mistaken, the LCD model has a 7nm APU and the the OLED model a 6nm. Valve and AMD won't want to keep producing both. Although now that I'm thinking more about it, there's probably no reason the LCD model can't use the 6nm APU.

They have already replaced the APU in the OLD deck some time ago. So it's not an issue.

#94

chrcoluk

friocasaGreat move by Valve, keeping the performance and resolution ensures that there's a single performance target, at the same time allows them to improve battery life.

Now, one of the best things about the deck was the value of the base model, and that one has now became a worse choice, went from 64 GB to 256 GB and that's about it, still the first LCD model, still the same price 2 years later, and will not be discontinued

Yeah I really like that they kept APU at same performance and the resolution the same. Its quality of life improvements, the battery, controls, screen, storage and wifi. Very nice whilst also trying to stick to existing pricing model as well.

The enticement is now higher for the higher models that is true, but I think what is most important that there is still the £350 model available for those where that is their budget limit. The problem with the older higher priced models is I dont think they offered enough higher value at the higher price points. It also keeps me happy about my existing purchase, as I only brought the £350 model a couple of months ago.

#95

Space Lynx

Astronaut

chrcolukYeah I really like that they kept APU at same performance

The only single reason for this is because SteamOS development is just easier to develop for this way, this is how I understand it anyway. I just hope Steam Deck 2 keeps same screen 90hz OLED 800p 16:10, but give us a very powerful APU for it, that way we can actually play AAA games at Native resolution at 90 fps 90hz with high settings... but I already know what they will do... they will do 1080p or 1200p at least, and those same games that struggle now will struggle there too... or latest AAA will struggle more, etc.

That's one reason I want to upgrade now, because I don't want 1080p in this form factor. 800p on glossy panel non-matte looks very sharp to me (matte makes it less sharp, as well as the colors pop less on matte screens) I am 100% buying the $549 OLED launch day.

#96

Mussels

Freshwater Moderator

Vya DomusI am sorry but 1280x800 on an OLED is laughable, I mean objectively, OLED screens have an unusual sub pixel structure that make the perceived resolution lower than what it "technically" is, when you get down to 720P territory you're really pushing it.

Would a 1080p display have been that much more expensive ?

Never used as switch OLED, have you?
Or in fact any modern smartphone? You've just described every flagship from apple and samsung for the past few years.

#97

A&P211

MusselsNever used as switch OLED, have you?
Or in fact any modern smartphone? You've just described every flagship from apple and samsung for the past few years.

I have a work phone Samsung s20 phone that I keep the resolution at 720p, only because I get better battery life.

#98

friocasa

Space LynxThe only single reason for this is because SteamOS development is just easier to develop for this way

No. Nothing prevented them to overclock the APU or change it for a similar, more powerful one, or increase the ram capacity, they choose not to, and that's a good thing. It happened in the past that a console released with improved specs, studios focused on the new model because it's the one they have, and then the original model encountered performance issues, example, driver on PSone vs PSX

When Microsoft released the Xbox 360 slim, they were proud of matching closely the performance of the original model by crippling the chip

#99

chrcoluk

Space LynxThe only single reason for this is because SteamOS development is just easier to develop for this way, this is how I understand it anyway. I just hope Steam Deck 2 keeps same screen 90hz OLED 800p 16:10, but give us a very powerful APU for it, that way we can actually play AAA games at Native resolution at 90 fps 90hz with high settings... but I already know what they will do... they will do 1080p or 1200p at least, and those same games that struggle now will struggle there too... or latest AAA will struggle more, etc.

That's one reason I want to upgrade now, because I don't want 1080p in this form factor. 800p on glossy panel non-matte looks very sharp to me (matte makes it less sharp, as well as the colors pop less on matte screens) I am 100% buying the $549 OLED launch day.

It will almost certainly come with a resolution boost if the APU gets boosted. Its better for marketing to say its now 1080p, 1200p or whatever to say rather than "oh it can now hit the refresh rate" which would imply their old product is substandard.

The reason I like the APU didnt get changed as it keeps a consistent performance target, and that any optimisations done on Steam OS will stay relevant for the older deck's, this is a good policy. For those who want more there is alternative products.

But of course the day will come (it seems probably 2 years) when there will be a more powerful deck 2. I am 100% with them when they say less frequent and more meaningful updates are better.

#100

Vayra86

bonehead123Hello Valve, in the real world, most people usually prefer to get wined & dined BEFORE gettin screwed :D

This isnt new right. We walk around in a world of obsolete -tomorrow -products :toast:

Space LynxI have found freesync isn't needed as much on SteamOS, I have no idea why that is though. I guess it would have helped harder to run games though you are correct.

Freesync bottom limit is 48 fps or sth right? Pretty pointless if the best fps target on deck is 40

Add your own comment

Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

124 Comments on Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

Latest GPU Drivers

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts

Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

Related News

124 Comments on Valve Updates the Steam Deck with OLED Display, Overhauled Internals

Latest GPU Drivers

New Forum Posts

Popular Reviews

Controversial News Posts