The mid-gen refresh of Valve’s Steam Deck gains a bigger battery and a vivid OLED display. Can that only improve what was already a great handheld?

from £479 /go.stuff.tv/DeckOLED

Two years ago, the original Steam Deck conjured up a whole bunch of emotions. I was thrilled by its power and usability, slightly underwhelmed by its display, terrified of its size, and frankly appalled by its battery life. But Valve’s gamechanging handheld PC won me over.

I didn’t expect a new version to arrive so quickly (well, Valve tried very hard to convince us it wouldn’t); but out of nowhere, the Steam Deck OLED is here. This shouldn’t be seen as a sequel but a mid-generation revision, like Nintendo’s Switch OLED. The Deck OLED is a bigger improvement on the first attempt than Nintendo’s effort was, though.

Not only is the HDR OLED display simply gorgeous, but the device is lighter and quieter, and lasts considerably longer. SteamOS has also come a long way since launch. As a result, this really does feel like the machine Valve always intended to make.

I wanna Deck’s grew up

Some of Valve’s tweaks are purely aesthetic: the power button is orange instead of black, the thumbsticks are black instead of grey (1). Others, like the 5% weight reduction, genuinely enhance everyday use. The 1TB model also gets an inner case that makes it more travel-friendly.

Deck’s machine

The custom AMD APU at the Deck OLED’s heart is no better suited to AAA games than the original device’s silicon was, but moving to a 6nm process means it is more power-efficient, and generates less heat to boot. It continues to be a beast for playing older and indie titles.

Do ya think I’m Deck spree?

Factor in the larger 50Whr battery (2), and you’re looking at 30-50% longer play sessions between recharges. Newer games will still burn through a full charge in under 3hrs, but a few power management tweaks got me through a cross-country train journey.

Tech specs

Screen 7.4in 1280x800 90Hz HDR OLED touchscreen CPU Custom 6nm AMD RAM 16GB OS SteamOS Storage 512GB/1TB + microSD Connectivity Wi-Fi 6E, Bluetooth 5.3, USB-C, 3.5mm audio Battery life Up to 12hrs Dimensions 298x117x49mm, 640g

Let’s talk about Decks

This Deck doesn’t only shave down the original’s bezels and swap its LCD panel for a larger OLED…

■ Right bright

This Deck does HDR better than any Windows rival. There’s no fading to black or awkward transitions; it’s like turning on a light switch. The 1000-nit peak brightness makes compatible games burst with colour.

■ Great rate

Upping the refresh rate to 90Hz (from 60Hz on the OG model) makes some games feel noticeably smoother. There’s no VRR support, but more demanding titles still benefit from the faster response times.

■ Glare care

The 1TB Deck OLED’s anti-glare coating cuts reflections dramatically, but means colours don’t pop like they do on the glossy 512GB variant. Blacks also aren’t quite as inky, but they’re still way ahead of the LCD model.

Blunt front

When the OLED thrills wear off, you come to terms with the fact that this is still a 1280x800 panel. It’s well suited to the Deck’s potential, but Windows handhelds have proved that higher resolutions are possible.

Deck’s laws

SteamOS makes navigating the Deck OLED a breeze (3), with a console-like feel and an extensive library of ‘Great on Deck’ certified titles. It’s ideal if all your games are on Steam, though less so if you rely on other launchers: those force you to dig into the Linux back-end… if they’ll work at all.

Decks &plugs &rock’n’roll

The original Deck’s stereo setup was already pretty great, but the OLED’s new speakers (4) bring noticeably bigger bass than before. This really is a handheld you can happily play without reaching for a pair of headphones first. But maybe not in a crowded waiting room, eh?

There’s a lot more competition now, but the Steam Deck’s unique marriage of hardware and software ensures it remains the gaming portable to beat. The OLED model is nicer to hold and works better than ever, with the most impressive display I’ve seen on a handheld. It’s the most enjoyable way to play PC games on the go. @MattWTate

STUFF SAYS This is not a true sequel, but it is the ultimate first-gen Steam Deck… with a screen to rival your OLED television