Valve Corporation, the company behind the popular Steam gaming platform, has announced a new version of its handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck OLED. The new device features an OLED screen, more storage, longer battery life, and faster Wi-Fi, among other improvements. The Steam Deck OLED will be available on November 16, 2021, in limited quantities, starting at $549 for the 512GB model.
What is the Steam Deck OLED?
The Steam Deck OLED is an upgraded version of the Steam Deck, a portable device that lets users play their Steam games on the go. The Steam Deck OLED has a 7.4-inch HDR OLED display, which offers brighter colors, deeper blacks, and smoother motion than the original LCD screen. The OLED screen also consumes less power, which contributes to the device’s improved battery life.
The Steam Deck OLED also has a bigger battery, a more efficient AMD processor, and faster Wi-Fi 6E connectivity. These features allow users to play longer, download faster, and enjoy a more stable online experience. The device also weighs slightly less than the original model and has better thermals, touchscreen, haptics, and sound quality.
The Steam Deck OLED comes in two variants: the standard model with 512GB of NVMe SSD storage, and the limited edition model with 1TB of storage and a translucent case. Both models come with a carrying case, a dock, and a Steam Controller. The standard model costs $549, while the limited edition model costs $649.
How to get the Steam Deck OLED?
The Steam Deck OLED will be released on November 16, 2021, but Valve has warned that the quantities will be “highly limited”. Users who are interested in getting the device will need to join a reservation queue on the Steam website and pay a $5 deposit to secure their spot. The reservations will open on November 10, 2021, at 10 AM PST.
Users who have already reserved the original Steam Deck will have the option to switch to the OLED model or keep their existing reservation. Valve has also announced that it will phase out the LCD models of the Steam Deck, and offer discounts on the 64GB and 256GB versions while supplies last.
Why did Valve make the Steam Deck OLED?
Valve has stated that it decided to make the Steam Deck OLED after receiving feedback from users and developers who tested the original Steam Deck. The company said that it wanted to offer a better gaming experience and that the OLED screen was the most requested feature. Valve also said that it was able to make the OLED model without compromising on the performance, price, or availability of the device.
Valve also said that it hopes that the Steam Deck OLED will inspire more innovation and creativity in the handheld gaming PC market and that it will continue to support and improve the device in the future. Valve also hinted that it might release a Steam Deck 2 in the future, with even more advanced features and capabilities.
