Steam Deck LCD vs. Steam Deck OLED: Which Steam Deck Should You Buy?

Following the successful launch of the original Steam Deck, Valve introduced the Steam Deck OLED in November 2023. But what are the key differences between the Steam Deck LCD and the Steam Deck OLED, and more importantly, which one should you buy? We'll cover everything you need to know about Valve's latest handheld gaming device!

Published on: 09-04-2024 Author: Lennart

What Are the Differences Between the Steam Deck LCD and the Steam Deck OLED?

The Steam Deck is currently available in three versions:

Steam Deck LCD (the original Steam Deck)
Steam Deck OLED 512GB
Steam Deck OLED 1TB

Differences Between the Two OLED Models

The differences between the two OLED models are the storage capacity (512GB vs. 1TB) and the premium features that come exclusively with the 1TB model: an anti-glare etched glass display, a premium carrying case, an exclusive startup movie, and an exclusive virtual keyboard theme.

Differences Between the Steam Deck LCD and the Steam Deck OLED

The differences between the Steam Deck LCD and the two Steam Deck OLED models are more significant.

OLED vs. LCD

The most notable difference is the display technology. The Steam Deck OLED models feature an OLED display, which provides a more vibrant and lifelike image compared to the original LCD display.

90Hz vs. 60Hz

The display on the OLED models is not only crisper but also supports a higher refresh rate, namely 90Hz instead of 60Hz. The higher the refresh rate of a display, the more images it can display per second, making images and videos look much smoother.

Battery Life

The Steam Deck OLED models boast a larger 50Wh battery, offering up to 12 hours of usage, compared to the 40Wh battery in the original Steam Deck, which provides up to 8 hours of usage.

Storage

Another key difference is storage capacity. The OLED models offer 512GB and 1TB options, doubling or quadrupling the 256GB of storage in the original Steam Deck. More room for games!

Size and Weight

Finally, the OLED models feature a slightly larger 7.4" screen and are lighter at 640g, compared to the original Steam Deck's 7" screen and 669g weight, although these differences might not be very noticeable.

All differences between Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED

You can find all the differences between the three current Steam Deck models listed in the table below:

	Steam Deck LCD	Steam Deck OLED 512GB	Steam Deck OLED 1TB
Price	€419 / $399	€569 / $549	€679 / $649
Storage	256GB SSD	512GB SSD	1TB SSD
Display	1280 x 800 LCD (7")	1280 x 800 HDR OLED (7.4")	1280 x 800 HDR OLED with premium anti-glare etched glass (7.4")
Refresh Rate	Up to 60Hz	Up to 90Hz	Up to 90Hz
Wireless Connectivity	Wi-Fi 5	Wi-Fi 6E	Wi-Fi 6E
Battery	40Whr (2-8 hours)	50Whr (3-12 hours)	50Whr (3-12 hours)
Case	Regular carrying case	Regular carrying case	Carrying case with removable liner
Extras	Steam profile bundle	Steam profile bundle	Steam profile bundle + exclusive startup movie + virtual keyboard theme

Which Version of the Steam Deck Should I Buy?

Deciding between the Steam Deck LCD and the Steam Deck OLED depends on your priorities.

Steam Deck OLED

The Steam Deck OLED is ideal if you want the best portable gaming experience, with superior display quality, longer battery life, and higher storage options. When choosing between the two OLED models, we advise you to mainly base your decision on how much storage you need.

Steam Deck LCD

The Steam Deck LCD is suited for you if you prioritize functionality and cost over display quality and battery life. It offers a more affordable entry point to portable PC gaming, with slightly less storage and a basic 60Hz LCD display, without compromising on game performance.

Purchase Your Steam Deck with Steam Gift Cards

Did you know you can use Steam Wallet credit to purchase the Steam Deck? Simply choose your preferred Steam Gift Card, redeem your code, and instantly use your new credit to pick up a Steam Deck LCD or OLED.

Steam Gift Card £50

£50.00

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About the author: Lennart is a self-proclaimed Pokémon Master and certified tryhard in shooters ranging from COD and Halo to Overwatch and Fortnite. When he's not gaming, he's either reciting movie lines or enjoying guitar-infused music.