Portable gaming has advanced rapidly in the last few years, thanks to the emergence of handheld PCs like the Steam Deck. While the Steam Deck has already proven itself as a top-tier contender, Valve is once again walking in the footsteps of Nintendo, now upping the ante with the introduction of the cutting-edge Steam Deck OLED.
So, what's the fuss about this new upgrade? For starters, it's rolling out in two storage configurations: 512GB and 1TB, priced at $549 and $649, respectively. A notable feature is the inclusion of a microSD card slot, allowing for even more storage flexibility. Pre-orders are already buzzing, so you might want to jump on that wagon fast.
One of the most exciting upgrades is the shift from an LCD touchscreen display to a 7.4-inch HDR OLED screen. This not only offers a slight size increase from the original model's seven-inch display but also comes with smaller bezels, giving it a sleeker look. The best part is that the overall size hasn't changed, so it'll still fit snugly in your hands.
Battery life was a bit of a sore spot with the original Steam Deck, but Valve has made a significant improvement in this area. The new model boasts a 50Whr battery, a major step up from the 40Whr in the launch model. Longer playtime and faster charging? Yes, please!