Steam Deck OLED: Etched glass LE vs glossy 512GB

I had the good fortune of ordering both the Limited Edition and the 512GB versions of the Steam Deck OLED. I wanted to offer my own IRL opinion on the glossy vs etched glass controversy. I hope this may serve as one more data point for anyone trying to decide what to get. Hint: they're both superb and you can't make a bad choice between them.

[@phil2415]

Weird to me how many people seem to quite happy to accept that with the glossy screen you can just move to eliminate reflections, but seem unable to appreciate that if you have the etched glass you can do exactly the same thing to eliminate the diffused light "washing out" your image. I know there's some debate about it but on balance most people seem to say that the image quality is identical in the dark. So if you get the etched glass you can position yourself so that no light is hitting the screen, just as you can with the glossy, and avoid the diffused light, but you have the bonus of not *having to* if it's difficult in your environment.

[@n3burgener]

Thank you so much for showing what these screens look like in a real-world environment. So many of the other comparison videos are just people in a studio aiming a light directly at the screen, with the devices sitting flat on a table looking straight up at an empty ceiling. Those conditions do not reflect real-world usage and therefore don't seem to accurately represent the two screens. Your video makes it really clear just how reflective the glossy screen is compared to the etched screen, with that glossy screen seeming like it would be distracting and somewhat strenuous on the eyes to use in any kind of environment without ideal lighting conditions.

[@defective1up]

Thank you. I heavily considered getting the glossy after hearing a bunch of "complaints" on the anti-glare. But I have the anti-glare LED model, and I love it. Thanks for showing that I'll love the anti-glare OLED all the same as it fixes the issues I have with the glossy screen.

[@mileskt9232]

you can always put a matte screen protector on it to get the same effect. Putting a matte protector on a matte finish makes it worse so something to consider. You can get both with the glossy with screen protectors.

[@styromaniac6967]

You're worth subscribing to. Too many KZbinrs are looking for a controversy, scraping the bottom of the barrel for video ideas.

[@PongbyAtari]

I decided to go with the 1tb non LE I am truly excited I have loved the Steam Deck since buying the launch 512gb. I appreciate your take on the two types of displays it definitely helped me make my decision.

[@MrTigidoo]

Thx for this casual video comparison. Im still waiting for my LE to get shipped but i wanted it so bad I guess i'm going to live with this etched glass anyway. Happy holidays your wife must be a lucky one !

[@tappersreviews4677]

You will love the LE. The case is really cool as well with the detacheable slim case inside. I love it. It’s also much slimmer than 3rd party slim cases like the Tomtoc which I also have.

[@MrTigidoo]

Unfortunately I still hate this case and the new liner doesn't looks better to me. I prefer to use those leather waterfield design case that still looks amazing with LE. They are much more convenient to manipulate with those magnetic openings especially during commute in bus or subway. kzbin.info/www/bejne/a5XcaHpqbJ6MpcUsi=4vQLgRo_mJXPTDoZ

[@ispasskov]

Thanks, man, GameBoy brings some memories indeed. Deciding right now on 1tb v 512gb, i think will go with 512 glossy with matte screen protector.

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

There isn’t a difference in color. There IS a difference in screen sharpness. The etched screen blurs everything out a tiny bit due to how it shows the pixels on the monitor. I noticed it fast when I got my LE version, it’s just not as sharp as my old LCD deck was. It’s fine, but can be distracting sometimes

[@cloudboysmusic5223]

Bought 2 OLEDs for the Household. Limited Edition & 512 model. And I agree with you. No difference in screen quality. Only difference is when you do take it outside and see all the shit in the background reflecting right back at ya. Darker games are alot more of a pain to play outside. From the ones I've tried Alien Isolation & Dishonored were unplayable peak day time. If you have the extra money i say go for the anti glare.

[@thegrumpygamer3081]

This just confirms my decision, thank you.

[@ChristopherAndersonPirate]

I think there’s a slight difference in screen sharpness, not the colors or brightness. The etched screen blurs the pixels just a tiny bit due to the nature of the process from everything I’ve seen. Is this something noticeable to you when side by side or did I just curse you with forbidden knowledge lol

[@riblet0127]

I only play inside and mostly at night which is better for me?

[@defi5]

Good review I went with etched glass

[@Veloc1]

Thanks for sharing. Seems like every other person has a different opinion on whether there’s a difference in clarity in dark lighting between the two

[@redcrimson1028]

Those people are morons! They're just cresting controversy for nothing. I Hasbrouck both, there are no differences. I think people want there to be a difference

[@guiltygamerxrd]

Very helpful video, thanks! Just bought the 1TB model today as a gift but was just curious to see if there was an actual side by side.

[@FrankOsman]

Launch LCD 512 is going to a friend, and the LE OLED is on its way to replace it. Thank you for your input!

[@styromaniac6967]

And I'll (kinda) give my 512 LCD to my nephews. In reality it's going to their mother, so then parental controls and discipline don't become an issue.

[@itsdtxjd]

The Glossy one looks so beautiful!! ❤

[@lgolem09l]

It's also Narcissus' favorite edition

[@itsdtxjd]

@@lgolem09l I gave the limited edition one I also got to my gf 🤪 I don’t know but the visuals just pop so much more to my eyes on the glossy one and reflections are not even an issue even in a bright environment with bright white lights, you like have to focus hard on the reflections and even still your eyes just want to focus on what’s going on under any reflections that there may be. It’s just how our eyes have adjusted using glossy tvs and smart phones etc.

[@TerraWare]

I went with gloss too. I prefer it over anti glare finish on computer monitors I've looked at. The limited edition does look cool though.

[@itsdtxjd]

@@TerraWare The new X-ray skin from Dbrand looks badass if you want to make it look different!

[@Inphenitee]

This fanboyism for each screen is so Fing stupid…. They are both great screens. In the REAL world you will not care (unless you care about reflections, then the etched is for you) You will not notice a difference in the two screens - me and a friend have both. People need to get off their bias horses and stop trying to justify their purchases and stop trying to steer people in one way or another. Great video!

[@cgwworldministries83]

Then give me the choice to have a glossy limited edition version at checkout. You don't know better than me at what I want.

[@MrHowlforever]

​@@cgwworldministries83yes we do.

[@kylerclarke2689]

As a glossy screen owner... uh, yes. You will notice. You can count the pores on your face in the reflection. Anti-glare screen protectors are cheap, at least.

[@blm7929]

For someone playing most of the time at night in the dark, aren't the black less black on the etched screen ? Personnaly I don't care about reflections as I play only inside, but I wanted the 1tb SSD and the detachable case... For the SSD, I can change it if I take the 512 one, I made it on my 64Gb LCD, but there is no detachable case.

[@Tarets]

​@blm7929 They are less black in lit environments. In a reflective screen bright things that are reflected are super visible, while dark reflected things are super dark. Anti etching or anti-glare coating wil just average those up, giving you more blurred reflections. It's up to you which way of dealing with bright environment you prefer. In dark one it doesn't matter, because there won't be anything to reflect.

[@thanksyoutubefortakingmyhandle]

1:33 damn reddit is losing their mind over the etch vs glossy, I agree I don't see it and I would rather have the etched over glossy; and I want that transparent version!

[@styromaniac6967]

You're too late for the limited edition unless you don't mind shopping elsewhere for it with a steep scalper "tax."

[@thanksyoutubefortakingmyhandle]

@@styromaniac6967 yeah that's probably for the best; Glossy should be fine my phone and switch and tv are glossy oled. And I can always swap the shell myself, or try haha

[@Alexxx760]

Great video guy. Don’t sell yourself short

[@styromaniac6967]

For anyone still caught up in this controversy, a glossy or etched screen protector would be enough to shutdown the naysayers. Literally $10 would make all the difference to resolving an unsatisfied preference.

[@Alexxx760]

Are you sure ? Cause I got the 1tb for Christmas and I really don’t know if the glossy screen protector will negate the washed out look of the etched glass.

[@evansyoutubehandle]

Thanks for doing this!

[@thegrumpygamer3081]

Well that's it. Thank you after watching god knows how many videos on this and reading umpteen articles I'm going to spend the extra and get the 1TB etched glass one. I already own an LCD one with a 2TB SSD in it so will just swap that over, but I guess any OLED deck is going to beat the one I have and without the side by side comparisons would I know any better and I could not play the LCD outside on holiday because of the reflections. Thank you for costing me more money. LOL 🤣

[@tappersreviews4677]

LOL. You’re gonna love it though. 😁

[@roderickmorales]

I got the glossy one. You can always put an anti glare screen protector if you want. Very happy with it 👍🏻

[@Tarets]

Anti glare protector is NOT an etched glass.

[@roderickmorales]

@@Tarets oh I believe the main purpose of an etched glass is to reduce glare (lights) reflecting on your display specifically from outdoors, so an anti glare screen protector will offer the same benefit… Dude nobody is that ignorant lol 🙄😆

[@hustinoa3033]

Can you try adding some screen protector (matte and glossy type) on the etched glass?

[@the_bogeyman.]

Did you try a tempered glass screen protector on the edged 1TB model? I didn't even know there was a screen difference, I wanted the bigger storage without open the whole thing and replace it. First thing I do on any of my mobile devices is put a screen protector right out of the box.

[@MrAkatango25]

Go etched you can always put a glossy screen protector on it.

[@the_bogeyman.]

@@MrAkatango25 Yes. I did order the 1TB days ago, a screen protector and case from Spigen as well, but I didn’t understeand there was such a difference in screens between the 512gb and 1TB, my bad that I didn’t understeand it from the description (with my mediocre english) and overlooked that.

[@evilcrashbandicootthetouho2753]

But i noticed there's foggy colour's in 512gb samusung screen in dark gray colour's

[@even_steven777]

Does the etched glass version technically even need a screen protector or is it the same thing they did with the switch lite where there’s already a film over it? I ask because I don’t know if a glossy screen protector will kill the anti glare functionality

[@hbaabes]

I have the etched glass LCD one and the screen protector did make it reflective. But i wonder if a glossy screen with a glossy screen protector makes it even more reflective.

[@Tarets]

​@@hbaabes It doesn't. Why would it?

[@lilstewy5091]

What screen protector is best for the LE steam deck

[@zytoses9223]

The other thing going around on r/SteamDeck is the dead pixel issue. Someone made a very helpful post giving insight to who manufactures the screens, with BOE (a chinese manufacturer) seemingly to provide panels for the LE models and samsung providing for the 512/1tb standard ones. Based on the community commenters on that post most if not all the people providing their results seem to have pixel problems with the LE models with the standard ones avoiding it. Not sure why valve decided to go with a different manufacturer for the top tier models when they seemingly don't provide the same standard of quality over those of the lower tiers, it just doesn't make sense to me.

[@arghpee]

the limited edition has a special feature of having dead pixels it's great

[@tappersreviews4677]

I have none.

[@woah-mk]

not all of them.

[@frnono]

Idk why people are complaining about every single thing. Not even just this but the handheld community has been toxic af lately

[@styromaniac6967]

Same. I have no clue what for. Maybe KZbinrs are scraping the bottom of the barrel for content ideas.

[@Diemetenoc-rc8ti]

Have you ever seen a professional gaming monitor with a glossy screen? I don't think so:). End of discussion.

[@alexandrzatonsky]

Remind you there is no such thing as "professional gaming gear" aside from marketing BS for teenagers

[@f00fightrs]

Can you confirm whether the orange paint comes off the screws when using a torx screwdriver?

[@tappersreviews4677]

Good question. I do plan to upgrade the SSD so I hope the paint won’t come off when I open it.

[@tappersreviews4677]

Just talked to some fellow deck users on discord. One of them also has the LE and successfully opened it without ruining the orange paint on the screws by using plastic wrap between the screw and screwdriver. Makes sense so I will try that technique.

[@armored-clown]

Glossy screen hands down. If you need to then put a $10 matted screen protector and viola same effect as the etched version.

[@WildharpieECW]

Yeah I owna 512 LCD and 512 OLED the screens a ncie though my LCS was a refub one so the screen is as new as the new one, I wish there a way to clean it better but guess it how it is but still you cna play it and when your playign the agme doesn't show bad it msotly shows as dirty when you show it on cam. But from what i have sen both screen are good and yes oen show mreo the other but happy with both fo them, people will say this oen si better then the other. All i say enjoy it you owna Steam Deck be happy you so getting tired of one beign better then the other. There two other hand held that I would like to try out but with the rpices don't think i want to spend more money when I mgiht nto like them. I like how the Steam Deck looks and feel reminds me an Hold Game Gear console omg I miss that hand held didn't own it but they lead it to em wanted to keep it. If I return my OLED version I might try for the 1TB one or Limited Edition but other say it waste of money to just upgrade the 412 one but we wills ee have 1 week left and I will see if retur it and try for another version.

[@MGCoin333]

Glossy is horribly reflective.

[@Slayer-33]

Eh, I don't want a compromised image. Always glossy, don't dig etched matte screens one bit.

[@itsdtxjd]

Thanks god you can easily move into another direction if the reflections bother you and you keep a beautiful image at all times. I prefer that over the washed out looking screen in bright enviroments with the etched screens. This video shows how much better the glossy is.

[@kylerclarke2689]

@@Slayer-33 either way it's going to be compromised by your own stupid reflection looking back at you, LOL.

[@Slayer-33]

@@kylerclarke2689 ill take a reflection over a permanently washed out image any day.

[@bbee531]

​@@kylerclarke2689not in darkness.

[@cgwworldministries83]

I just don't want etched glass. Let me pick the one I want. Stop shoving your broken opinion down my throat.

[@brittanynagy1898]

no you cannot pick the one you want sorry you’re getting the etched glass

[@dyyuri]

I can't believe he forced you to watch this video at gunpoint smh

[@thanksyoutubefortakingmyhandle]

@@dyyuri 😳🔫

[@Shamey-ss4oo]

Great video, straight to the point 👍 i wish i was your wife 🫠