The Steam Deck OLED delivers one of the most impressive handheld PC gaming experiences available. This device brings an unparalleled blend of portability and performance, with an OLED screen that enhances visual fidelity significantly. Upon unboxing, the sheer size of the device stands out, especially for those accustomed to smaller handheld consoles. Despite its size, it remains lightweight at 640 grams, making extended gaming sessions comfortable.
Equipped with standard controls—including two analog joysticks, a directional pad, and a full set of keys—the Steam Deck OLED also features two haptic trackpads and four additional grip buttons that can be customized. The setup process is seamless, requiring only a Wi-Fi connection and a Steam login before downloading games.
The OLED Display
The OLED screen is a defining feature of this iteration. With its exceptional pixel density and remarkable brightness, even some of the best gaming OLEDs do not compare. Colors appear incredibly vibrant, and the contrast provides deep, inky blacks, enhancing immersion in darker game environments. The 90Hz refresh rate, while not the highest available, feels incredibly smooth given the smaller screen size. For the majority of games, the refresh rate remains perfectly suited to the handheld experience.
SteamOS contributes to the seamless experience, offering a streamlined and minimal interface. Sleep and wake times are nearly instantaneous, making it feel like a console but without the limitations. Advanced settings such as refresh rate adjustments, GPU clock locking, and TDP tweaks are also available for those who wish to fine-tune their experience.
Performance and Game Optimization
While the Steam Deck OLED is not a powerhouse on its own, its efficiency in handling optimized games is impressive. Built on an AMD architecture similar to the Xbox Series X and PlayStation 5—though significantly scaled down—it runs within a power envelope of just 15 watts. Battery life varies depending on the game, ranging between 3 to 12 hours.
Well-optimized games such as Doom Eternal deliver an ultra-smooth experience, making full use of the 90Hz refresh rate. No Man’s Sky reaches around 55-60 FPS at minimal settings, while Forza Horizon maintains a steady 72Hz performance. While some visual sacrifices are made, the experience remains enjoyable. However, more demanding titles, such as Cyberpunk 2077, struggle to provide a satisfactory experience when played natively, averaging 30-45 FPS with reduced settings.
The Power of Remote Play
One of the most surprising aspects of the Steam Deck OLED is its capability as a Remote Play device. By leveraging Steam’s Remote Play feature, high-end PC gaming performance is accessible without requiring installation on the device itself. When streaming from a PC, Cyberpunk 2077 runs at max settings, with 90 FPS locked and DLSS enabled. The experience remains fluid and visually stunning, with minimal input lag or noticeable compression artifacts, even over separate networks.
Battery life during Remote Play is significantly extended, as CPU and GPU usage remains minimal. Additionally, the absence of heat and fan noise enhances comfort during long gaming sessions. Fighting games such as Dragon Ball Sparking Zero, which require locked 60 FPS performance, struggle when running natively on the Steam Deck. However, when streamed from a high-end PC, they perform flawlessly with no noticeable latency issues.
