Which is Better? A Comparison of Steam Deck vs Steam Deck OLED

The Valve Steam Deck (referred to as the Steam Deck LCD) and the Valve Steam Deck OLED. These handheld gaming devices have generated significant buzz, and understanding their differences can help you make an informed choice.

Specification	Steam Deck LCD	Steam Deck OLED
CPU	AMD Zen 2 CPU (4c/8t) 7nm process	AMD Zen 2 CPU (4c/8t) 6nm process
Graphics	AMD APU RDNA 2 8c 7nm process	AMD APU RDNA 2 8c 6nm process
Display	Optically bonded LCD	HDR OLED panel
Storage Options	64GB, 256GB, 512GB (now only 256GB)	512GB, 1TB (with etched glass display)
Price Range	$350 - $450	$550 (512GB), $650 (1TB)
Additional Features	N/A	Limited-edition translucent shell for 1TB model (sold out)

1. Pricing and Availability

Steam Deck LCD: The original Steam Deck with an LCD display launched in February 2022. It was available in three storage options: 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB. Valve now sells only the 256GB model, with prices ranging from $350 to $450.
Steam Deck OLED: The Steam Deck OLED, launched on November 16, 2023, offers two models: a 512GB version priced at $550 and a 1TB version for $650. The 1TB model also features an etched glass display resistant to glare.

2. Display

Steam Deck LCD: The original model features an optically bonded LCD display with a resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels.
Steam Deck OLED: The OLED version maintains the same resolution but upgrades to an HDR OLED panel. This results in deeper blacks, better contrast, and increased brightness.

3. Performance

Both the Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED use an AMD APU with a Zen 2 CPU (4 cores/8 threads) and RDNA 2 GPU. While the OLED model switches to a 6nm process, the performance metrics remain similar. Games are unlikely to play significantly better on either device.

4. Battery Life

Valve hasn’t made significant changes to battery life between the two models. Expect similar performance in this regard.

5. Additional Features

The Steam Deck OLED offers a 1TB model with an etched glass display resistant to glare.
Valve had a limited-edition translucent shell version of the 1TB model, but it has since sold out.

6. Conclusion

If you’re looking for a deal, the best value right now is the $450 LCD version with 512GB of storage.
The OLED models provide improved image quality but aren’t significantly more expensive.

In summary, both models have their merits, and your choice depends on your budget, storage needs, and preference for display quality.

Steam Deck OLED-- https://amzn.to/3xrlL5k

Steam Deck LCD-- https://amzn.to/49tGtPl

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