Steam Deck OLED | A Casual Gamer's Review

The Steam Deck OLED is so much more than just a display upgrade. Usually when you get a mid-generation update like this it's aimed at the most dedicated users, but in this case the combination of improved performance, better battery life and a beautiful OLED panel make the Steam Deck a more credible option for causal gamers too.
#steamdeck #gaming #handheld #tech
__
Intentional Tech on Etsy: www.etsy.com/uk/shop/Intentio...
Intentional Tech Newsletter: intentionaltech.substack.com
__
What is Intentional Tech?
Mindful tech videos to help you get more out of the products and platforms you bring into your life. Expect videos on iPad productivity, Mac guides and desk setups.
__
Channel Partners:
CleanMyMac X | macpaw.audw.net/IntentionalTech (Affiliate Link)
Setapp | setapp.sjv.io/c/3664387/34332... (Affiliate Link)
Grovemade Desk Shelf | grovemade.com/?rfsn=7243907.9... (Affiliate Link)
Setup:
US: www.amazon.com/shop/intention... (Affiliate Link)
UK: amzn.to/3JXCu3E (Affiliate Link)
Music from Epidemic Sound: www.epidemicsound.com/referra...

[@crabninjazagz3737]

As a dad I really needed this info before making my decision, I’ll defo be getting it!

[@IntentionalTech]

Hope you like it

[@Anrgystudio]

Every single time I see a review like this, it makes me more and more tempted to get an OLED. I'm holding myself back and waiting another year or so to see if Valve releases a perfected OLED Steam Deck. Have fun with yours in the meantime.

[@BigNate3x3]

It’s looking like the new successor of the steam deck won’t be until at least 2025-26 because valve said they won’t upgrade until there is a actual leap in performance because the new AMD chips that’s released this year weren’t a big upgrade at all.

[@IntentionalTech]

The main thing that swung me was that you can still get decent trade in value for the original LCD at CEX here in the UK

[@devantezephis8068]

Steamdeck oled is on point. I got mines a month ago. 0 problems. Get it. Pull that trigger

[@svenstylesz]

It's already perfect

[@samladlow1]

Get one. I had a Odin pro which now feels like a kids toy compared to the oled steam deck. I also play the deck in the go on the tube etc. it’s brilliant

[@mrdestroy4381]

Nice review mate, well put together, considered and to the point. Cheers

[@IntentionalTech]

Cheers, mate

[@Khalil-Ibrahim21]

Thanks to the oled SD I fell in love with metroidvanias and roguelites/likes ❤

[@IntentionalTech]

Class. Any recommendations?

[@superbubut492]

yeah, I've been playing hades on my OLED since I got it. 90hz is smooth like butter. Now I cant wait for hades 2.

[@ActionJaxonH]

Admittedly, I do use Switch OLED way more than Deck OLED. With Mobapad M6 HD its just as comfy, with better rumble and is lighter, not as bulky, does tabletop with removable controllers, instantly docks, etc. As long as you stick to top-shelf ports its a better experience imo. Prince of Persia on Deck requires Epic Games launcher, Ubisoft Connect and Heroic launcher and hours of tinkering to set up, and even on Ultra settings max resolution, looks and plays identical to Switch version. Games like Splatoon 3, Ori games, Zelda Tears of the Kingdom, Portal 1/2, Persona 4/5, Batman Arkham Asylum and City, Mario Bros Wonder, Mario RPG, Pikmin 4, Ace Attorny games, Monster Hunter Rise, DKC Tropical Freeze, Red Dead Redemption, Tony Hawk PS 1/2, Valkyria Chronicles 1/4, Sniper Elite 3/4, Zombie Army 4, Diablo 2/3, Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered, Resident Evil 5 and Revelations 1/2, Octopath Traveler 2 and Triangle Strategy, and on and on and on. Its a phenomenal experience. . But I love Steamdeck OLED for those games that cant run on Switch or dont run well. Stuff like Monster Hunter World, Baldurs Gate 3, Mass Effect Legendary Edition, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Vampire Masquerade Bloodlines, Final Fantasy VII Remake, Dragon Age, etc. Both have their place. . I just find Switch being smaller and lighter with handheld, tv or tabletop and not having to deal with quick access and in-game settings a much more inviting experience. But gotta buy Mobapad M6 HD joycon. These things should have been the official joycon.

[@mahiquyyum5654]

Helpful for some Great vid 👍

[@IntentionalTech]

Thanks 🙂

[@Bootchair]

one thing about the killswitch over the jsaux is that the dbrand killswitch covers the power switch incase of accidental power on due to w/e, the jsaux does not. i already have a tough time figuring out how cables get tangled the way they do. and the Dbrand travel cover feels locked in place and not shakey like the jsaux. i have both. i use a swissgear 5358 backpack. azorpa 1080p external screen, dbrand killswitch with dock adapter, foldable keyboard and mouse. epos headset.

[@russjr08]

Fall Guys does work on the deck! I have the steam version since I bought it before delisting but I've heard the epic version works too

[@syamri82]

I upgrade from lcd to oled because of the battery size. Oled screen is a bonus.

[@IntentionalTech]

It’s mad how much of a difference the battery makes

[@trueroman6775]

Little late, but coming from the lcd I'm pretty much happy with every change. They addressed almost every last one of my issues.

[@DrPestilence]

Fellow Dad here, dude, you've got a great narrative voice.

[@IntentionalTech]

Cheers, mate.

[@Izrail-]

I’m very happy playing monster hunter world and rise with steamdeck 😊

[@IntentionalTech]

Class

[@who_else_but_dee2821]

I just got a lcd on a deal a few months ago I mainly play on my ps5 and game on the steam deck when the tv is being taken over I plan on not really taking it outside I’m still leaning on getting the oled lol. It idk yet I can sell my lcd as and switch but idk yet

[@joshpacker6635]

Please do a review of Rog Ally vs Legion Go

[@rickcoe]

It’s my indie deck. My switch is for Nintendo games . Perfect. Nothing else needed , what a combo

[@IntentionalTech]

Love it

[@keepitshort4208]

Wanted to ask is it wise to use the power tool to set the battery charge lock at 80% to keep the battery health ? As i heard that plug-in has bricked the SD Also what about the the dead pixles and burn in for oled ? Would really appreciate your reply 👍

[@sichambers9011]

The phawx on here did a burn in experiment. kzbin.info/www/bejne/lXaaZGqGhN2Yh9Usi=7ZAx6cnSV68t0jg9

[@IntentionalTech]

I had two separate battery-related issues with my LCD Steam Deck. Both led to returns so I’m being really cautious with the OLED and straight up refusing to use anything but the official charger.. I can’t verify the 80% issue as I haven’t tried it, and I’m also yet to experience any dead pixels or burn in but that doesn’t mean they don’t exist. If you’re worried about those issues it’s worth trying to find out whether Valve will repair / replace steam decks that suffer from them

[@jf2p712]

I didn’t have any issues with my SD LCD battery. I never used a plug-in to limit it, but I would just baby sit it while charging and try to never let it charge over 80%. I’ve had the OLED 512 version for about a month and so far so good. I’m still not using a plug-in, and I still try and unplug it before it reaches 80%. *I honestly don't know if this makes a difference for the battery life overall, but I do use an external fan from jsaux. I'm assuming it does because the external fan works pretty well from what I can tell. Doom eternal low graphic settings and I think I had FPS capped at 30 but temp was about 13 degrees cooler with the external fan. It might be too early to tell yet for dead pixels but I thought that was mainly an issue for the limted edition SD.

[@keepitshort4208]

@IntentionalTech I understand it's just have to be aware of the issue, because I will be buying it locally and if I get an issue after I leave the store then it would be difficult for me to return it. Let's see I'm still looking forward to getting SD oled but certain issues are coming up make me worried

[@keepitshort4208]

@jf2p712 I hope you don't get the dead pixels and if you ever come across the power tool plug-in do let me know your experience. That's one way to do but not easy to manage like stare at the screen till it doesn't pass the 80% mark

[@SouthFacedWindows]

What is the side scrolling game are you playing in the beginning of the video?

[@IntentionalTech]

A Highland Song

[@SouthFacedWindows]

@@IntentionalTech Thanks man. I am also a casual gamer dad. Looking for something light. Although I usually play AAA titles. But sometime I just want to relax playing something nice and easy. Looks like this one fits the bill.

[@chaiman3761]

Deciding whether to get this or wait for switch 2

[@IntentionalTech]

I’m so intrigued by the Switch 2. Hopefully we get to see an official announcement soon

[@igorgiuseppe1862]

you might be able to run fall guys using heroic game launcher or lutris, the issue is that, as its an online game one updage may make it stop working and since its not on steam anymore its unlikely valve will patch it, but so long epic dont go out of their way to ensure it wont work it should work just fine.

[@IntentionalTech]

Thanks for the tip

[@art4anj]

YES!! Any fellow Casual Gamers here? 🖐😃

[@ezeppelin1]

I was lucky enough to be in time for a refund, so I sent back the lcd and bought the oled. I must say that the upgrades of the oled are really noticeable.

[@IntentionalTech]

Good timing!

[@johnpaulbiason8784]

Do we need to buy a screen protector for the 1 terabyte oled version?

[@IntentionalTech]

I haven’t seen one with a screen protector irl but if you’re getting it for the etched glass, I would expect a screen protector to introduce glare. You never need one as such but I personally like the security of having them.

[@SvGPlayer831]

The limited edition oled is actually 50 grams lighter than the lcd, 20 grams lighter than the regular oled, huge difference in hand

[@IntentionalTech]

That’s mad. Didn’t know that. thanks for sharing

[@steelzepplin2012]

what is the name of the first platformer game?

[@sushant079]

yes it looks nice, i am interested too.

[@ctrl_x1770]

"A Highland Song" by Inkle Studios.

[@steelzepplin2012]

Thank you, just bought it on steam!@@ctrl_x1770

[@markhermano1]

I'm also playing valkyria chronicles in my steam deck OLED 😅

[@IntentionalTech]

Such an underrated series

[@ActionJaxonH]

Btw, I exclusively game on Steamdeck OLED and Switch OLED (with Mobapad M6 HD joycon- full HD rumble, gyro, split wireless with 17 hr battery, NFC, HALL Effect analogs, mechanical buttons with omron switches, d-pad swaps with rocker, round or octagonal gates, etc). If Playstation or Xbox makes a handheld, honestly it has nothing to offer at this point. Steamdeck plays both PS and Xbox exclusives, and maps gyro aiming to any game. A PS/Xbox handheld would undoubtedly force that 20-year dated, archaic, non-gyro dual analog-only aiming, an input method so bad games literally have to cheat on your behalf with aim-assist and bullet magnetism to make it viable. Its a bad joke. I cant believe so many gamers tolerate that caveman hogwash.

[@steveburgess9338]

what game is that as 6:27?

[@imhoneydew]

valkyrie chronicles

[@igorgiuseppe1862]

edge* not internet explorer

[@tom_123]

Didn’t realise it could play Epic games 🤔

[@PotatoeGamerLP]

YEP, just not anything with anticheat

[@kyodizzy]

The Legion Go looks better

[@ActionJaxonH]

Are you really a "casual user" if youre aware of Decky plugins? Thats definitely not something casual users are aware of.

[@IntentionalTech]

It’s all a spectrum. I used to have a lot more time for gaming but since becoming a dad, it’s something I do to blow off steam in the few hours free that I get (pardon the pun) - I’ve had to become a much more casual gamer and change the kind of games I play as a result. Handhelds are really interesting to me as products because they help people in my situation to keep up with the hobby. And I enjoy researching and experimenting with them just as much as actually playing and I think I can offer a helpful perspective for other gamer parents and casuals

[@deanofgames4661]

You can definitely be a casual gamer and learned of Emudeck and Decky from Reddit or Google.😢