A year ago, Valve released the Steam Deck, which outshines the Nintendo Switch in terms of hardware. However, compared to the Nintendo Switch OLED model, which was released in 2021 and is hard to part with due to its vibrant colors and deep black levels, there is always the question of whether Valve plans to release an OLED version of the Steam Deck.
The technology of the screen poses a challenge
Pierre-Loup Griffais from Valve explains that while Valve would like to release an OLED version of the Steam Deck, the technology of the current screen used in the device has some limitations.
It has been assumed that Valve could simply install an OLED screen for the Steam Deck. However, according to Griffais, this is a misconception. The screen is the centerpiece of the device, and everything is aligned around it. Therefore, replacing the screen with the current setup would require significant additional effort.
Flexibility of the LCD screen was a priority for Valve
When Valve designed the Steam Deck, the flexibility of the LCD panel was one of the top priorities. The panel can be dimmed so that you can play even in poor lighting conditions, and the frame rate can be adjusted to extend battery life. However, according to Griffais, it is also possible to integrate these features into an OLED screen, but it would require a special configuration.
No plans for incremental update
Valve has no plans for an incremental update for the Steam Deck with an OLED screen. It is more likely that the Steam Deck 2.0 will have an OLED screen. Valve is keeping all options open in this regard. However, there are currently no plans for such an upgrade.
VibrantDeck offers an interim solution
Owners of Steam Decks who miss the colors of the OLED screen can use the plug-in software VibrantDeck. It allows for an increase in display saturation without games appearing in bright colors. This provides an interim solution until an OLED version of the Steam Deck is released.
It is likely that future versions of the Steam Deck will be equipped with an OLED screen. However, replacing the current LCD screen with an OLED screen is not easy. The screen is the heart of the device, and a replacement would require significant additional effort. Valve has not yet announced any concrete plans for an incremental update. However, owners of Steam Decks can use plug-in software like VibrantDeck to find an interim solution until an OLED version of the device is released.
