When Valve announced their tailored PC handheld gaming device back in February 2022, the promise was indisputable for me. The tech under the hood foretold the epitome of portable gaming experience I yearned for since the inception of Sony’s PlayStation Portable; a true console experience on the go. Sure, there were other handheld devices out there, but none showed the effort it needed to truly shine. Oh, was I in for the longest waiting period of my life; I wasn’t able to get my hands on it for another 6 months due to high demand. Although there were some shortcomings, like the lack of anti-cheat support, LCD panel or the need to learn Linux if you want to further optimize your games, the custom OS gave a sense of care that was otherwise absent from its competitors other than the Nintendo Switch. There are some use cases for Windows based machines with games like Destiny 2, especially for me, but there’s just something about a more focused handheld experience that draws me in.
Then comes a surprise release, the Steam Deck OLED model. One would think “Oh, it’s just an OLED display, I don’t need it” but they would be so wrong; it’s far more than just a Nintendo Switch flip-up, every facet of the machine was thoughtfully improved upon from overall weight, tactile feel, display performance, battery performance, and even APU enhancements. It’s borderline a handheld generational upgrade from its counterpart and I couldn’t be happier, especially given that I already have all the additional accessories I would need for this machine. It’s downright fantastic and it finally competes with the best competitive hardware in the market, the ASUS ROG Ally.
A Tale of Sephiroth and Aerith
It’s time to dissect the technical nuances that set it apart from the original LCD variant. Starting with the beating heart of these devices – the Accelerated Processing Unit (APU). Both Steam Deck models share a common ancestry in the AMD family, with the OLED version housing the AMD Sephiroth APU and the LCD model flaunting the AMD Aerith. In practical terms, this means that the processing brains behind these handhelds are cut from the same Zen 2 architecture cloth. This translates to a 4-core, 8-thread CPU with a clock speed dancing between 2.4 and 3.5GHz, ensuring a consistent and reliable performance across the board; and consistent it is. I typically play my games at 40hz on the go. You really don’t need more than that. It removes the jittering 30hz provides and helps with battery consumption. The problem is, 40hz doesn’t divide evenly with a 60hz display, so input lag takes a major hit with the LCD model. Now, the OLED model has a 90hz displays which offers a better way to evenly divide your frames while also reducing the input lag drastically. It’s still not even but cranking it to 45hz could further help with that – however 40hz I think is the golden rule when portable gaming as it gives room for more graphical options, maintain your image quality and smooth motion while also being responsive and battery friendly.
The memory department sees a slight divergence between the OLED and LCD variants. While both sport a 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM, the OLED version steps up the speed game with a 6400MHz clock, outpacing the LCD’s 5500MHz. This may not be the leap we deserve, but it serves just enough ensure that extra performance I mentioned. I mean, even the OLED model flaunts a 7.4-inch OLED screen, while the LCD version settles for a 7-inch LCD, which on paper doesn’t sound like much, but it is in person. This is coupled with the OLED model being, well OLED and HDR enabled. The difference is quite outstanding here; you get far deeper blacks, richer colors and far less washed-out whites. This is something the ROG Ally had a leg up over the LCD model for a long time, and while it’s still better, the OLED model comes close in meaningful ways. Both the OLED and LCD models share the same native resolution of 1280 x 800, ensuring a consistent pixel density – which I think it’s more than fine on a small display, especially when AMD’s FSR is done right, image quality usually looks crispier than its native resolution.
Just like the original, storage type and size sets them apart. The OLED version offers a robust 512GB and a hefty 1TB NVMe SSD, catering to gamers with an insatiable appetite for gaming library. On the other hand, the LCD model provides more modest options with a slashed price tag: a 64GB eMMC, 256GB, and 512GB NVMe SSD. Networking capabilities also sees a moderately important improvement, with the OLED model supporting Wi-Fi 6E and Bluetooth 5.3, while the LCD version sticks to Wi-Fi 5 and Bluetooth 5.0. This should raise an eyebrow because that means where the original limited just 50mbps download speed, the OLED model allows for much higher speed limits. The OLED model houses a 50Wh battery, trumping the LCD’s 40Wh – giving a range between 23-33% increase in battery performance depending on what game you play, that is if you don’t have it consistently plugged by you at all times, or carry a supercharged portable battery charger. While both models offer respectable battery life. The OLED variant comes in two configurations, priced at $549 and $649, while the LCD model offers three options at $349, $399, and $449. The decision here boils down to personal budget constraints and the significance of the premium features offered by the OLED variant – and while I must have the best variant, doesn’t necessarily mean you need it if you don’t care for stuff like that. All systems will perform adequately, and if you’re the type to not care to min-max your performance, you will find that the hardware far exceeds any previous handhelds you’ve played growing up.
How Does it Compete Against the ROG Ally?
This is a big one for me – I am a stan for the ASUS ROG Ally due to its immensity and ease of use with games such as Destiny 2. The screen is bar-none the best in the market and it’s why I stood by it so profusely. But….The Steam Deck OLED says hello, we live together now. First things first let’s talk about the APU. There’s still a significant leap between the OLED model and ROG Ally; the Steam Deck rocks the AMD Zen 2 architecture, while the ROG Ally flexes its muscles with the AMD Ryzen Z1 Extreme. This is a significant difference in performance given that the ROG Ally is still a generation ahead regarding its clock speed and overall throughput. The Steam Deck OLED boasts a 4-core, 8-thread CPU, while the ROG Ally strides confidently with an 8-core, 16-thread Zen 4 architecture. Clock speeds with the Ally can go up to 5.10GHz, outpacing the Steam Deck OLED’s 2.4 – 3.5GHz range. It’s actually wild.
Same can be said with the GPU, The Steam Deck OLED houses 8 RDNA 2 CUs, while the ROG Ally takes it up a notch with 12 RDNA 3 CUs. The GPU clock speeds also reflect this power dynamic, with the Ally capable of boosting up to 2.7GHz, overshadowing the Steam Deck OLED’s 1.6GHz – and it shows through its 1080p output. Both the Steam Deck OLED and ROG Ally sport 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM. However, the Steam Deck OLED’s RAM operates at a faster 6400MHz, offering a potential performance boost in memory-intensive tasks. When it comes to storage, the Steam Deck OLED flexes with a 512GB and a 1TB NVMe SSD, while the ROG Ally maxes out at a 512GB PCIe 4.0 SSD.
I mentioned a bit on Ally’s 1080p screen, and I have to say, the comparison is stark. The Steam Deck OLED boasts a 7.4-inch HDR OLED with a resolution of 1280 x 800, peaking at 1,000 nits. In contrast, the ROG Ally showcases a 7-inch FHD IPS-level touchscreen with a resolution of 1920 x 1080, hitting 500 nits. I personally think the Steam Deck OLED’s display and resolution works more than fine for everyday use. I find Ally’s 1080p to be quite OP for a 7″ screen. The Steam Deck OLED outpaces its predecessor’s 60Hz LCD with a 90Hz refresh rate, whereas the Ally offers a 120Hz VRR enabled display – my kind of tea. But, for prolong gaming sessions, Steam Deck is a clear winner with its ergonomic and controller feel. It’s incredibly comfortable compared to Ally’s edge design. Buttons are for more tactile, responsive and durable too. Of course, you can’t forget about Steam Deck’s trackpads, an absolute game changer for me, which is of course absent in the ROG Ally. Both have touch screens, but trackpads – c’mon!
Ultimately it boils down to one thing: do you want a Windows machine or Linux? It’s either the power of the machine or operating systems that will shape your gaming experience. The Steam Deck OLED runs on a custom, always updated, always tuned, Steam OS 3.0, while the ROG Ally goes for the more versatile Windows 11 Home. It’s a matter of preference – a streamlined gaming OS or the familiarity of a full Windows environment. The ROG Ally has the custom Armory Crate side bars that works for the most part, and is consistently patched, but it’s nothing compared to the Steam OS if I’m to be frank.
REVIEW SCORE: 9/10
In the grand tapestry of handheld gaming, both the OLED and LCD versions of the Steam Deck bring a potent gaming experience. The OLED model shines with its superior display technology, faster RAM, and expanded storage options. However, the LCD variant, with its lower price points, remains an enticing option for gamers seeking a more budget-friendly entry into the Steam Deck ecosystem. While the clear powerhouse is ASUS ROG Ally, the choice between these devices hinges on your priorities and preferences.
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