Steam Deck OLED Review

The Steam Deck has made it to Australia, and after a solid month of gaming on the 1TB OLED model we're ready to present our verdict. Does it hold up as we head into 2025?

With hardware advances improving seemingly every few minutes, reviewing a piece of hardware a year or so after its debut is often a very different experience from what you might find on day one. Interestingly, even though the Steam Deck is - on paper - not as powerful as newer devices like the ROG Ally X from ASUS, it’s still just as exciting and brilliant to use in 2025 as it was back in 2022. 

In many ways, it’s superior to the wide range of Windows 11-based PC gaming handhelds that have hit the market since the Steam Deck’s initial debut.

Yes, after a few years of waiting, the Steam Deck is finally (officially) available in Australia. Valve’s popular PC gaming handheld hit local digital retail shelves on November 19, 2024, with both the LCD and 2023 OLED refresh available to order directly via Steam. This review will focus on the flagship Steam Deck OLED 1TB model, which ships with a vibrant and instantly impressive OLED display alongside improved battery life - so be sure to factor in this difference if you’re eyeing an LCD model.

Sure, its AMD hardware might be starting to show its age with some recent big-budget games, but the Steam Deck is still more than capable of delivering an immersive gaming experience with big titles like Diablo 4, Dragon Age: The Veilguard, God of War Ragnarök, Street Fighter 6, and many more. Setting aside things like form factor, battery life, and performance, the Steam Deck excels in how it lives up to its name. 

This is Steam in handheld form, and with that familiar (albeit customized for a smaller screen) interface all PC gamers know, the Steam Deck feels more like a console than a PC - in the best possible way.

The Steam Deck has made it to Australia, and after a solid month of gaming on the 1TB OLED model we're ready to present our verdict. Does it hold up as we head into 2025?

Author: Kosta Andreadis
Date: January 02, 2025

Hardware Breakdown - That Sweet OLED Display

Valve’s Steam Deck is powered by a custom AMD APU with integrated RDNA or Radeon GPU hardware. As with all PC gaming handhelds, the hardware is optimized for low power, up to 15W, to ensure hours of use between charges. The custom AMD hardware might not be as powerful as the Ryzen Z1 Extreme chips found in handhelds like the Legion Go from Lenovo, but running the Linux-based SteamOS does add an extra layer of optimization or performance compared to Windows-based devices.

"The Steam Deck feels more like a console than a PC - in the best possible way."

  • APU: 6 nm AMD APU (4-15W)
  • CPU: Zen 2 4c/8t, 2.4-3.5GHz (up to 448 GFlops FP32)
  • GPU: 8 RDNA 2 CUs, 1.6GHz (1.6 TFlops FP32)
  • RAM: 16 GB LPDDR5 on-board RAM (6400 MT/s quad 32-bit channels)
  • Storage: 1TB NVMe SSD, microSD card slot
  • Display Resolution: 1280 x 800 (RGB), HDR OLED
  • Display Size: 7.4” diagonal
  • Maximum Brightness: 1,000 nits peak brightness (HDR), 600 nits (SDR)
  • Color Gamut: 110% P3
  • Refresh Rate: Up to 90Hz, <0.1 ms Response Time
  • Connectivity: Bluetooth 5.3 (support for controllers, accessories and audio), Tri-band Wi-Fi 6E
  • Audio: Stereo with embedded DSP for an immersive listening experience, Dual microphone array, Headphone / mic jack 3.5mm
  • Power Input: PD3.0 Type C power supply, 45W, 2.5m cable
  • Battery: 50Whr battery. 3-12 hours of gameplay
  • External Connectivity: Display port over Type C; up to 8K @60Hz or 4K @120Hz, USB3 gen 2
  • Size and Weight: 298mm x 117mm x 49mm
  • Weight: Approx. 640 grams
  • Operating System: SteamOS 3 (Arch-based)

The secret ingredient or formula that makes the Steam Deck a winner, even in 2025, is the decision to stick with a sub-1080p resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. This might seem like a downgrade, but it allows the GPU hardware to punch above its weight class to deliver a smooth gaming experience across various titles. Also, with the 7.4-inch screen size, the pixel density still provides a sharp and crisp image.

This review was written after spending dozens of hours with the Steam Deck OLED variant, so it’s worth highlighting that upgrading to an OLED display is a game changer in its own right. With a bright and vibrant HDR image, excellent contrast, a fast 90Hz refresh rate, and near instantaneous response times, it’s enough of a difference that it can make a side-by-side comparison with a Steam Deck LCD and Steam Deck OLED playing the same game look like two entirely different pieces of hardware.

Gaming Performance - From Indies to AAA Blockbusters

The Steam Deck feels more like the Nintendo Switch than a gaming PC or laptop, as Valve’s SteamOS and commitment to the handheld removes all the guesswork and customization headaches that come with PC gaming. SteamOS not only makes Steam the operating system but when you’re on the Deck, everything in the store and within your library is categorized to let you know if a game is Steam Deck Verified. If it is, all you need to do is install the game, and you’re good to go. There is no need to optimize in-game graphics settings or controls; it all just works.

"The secret ingredient or formula that makes the Steam Deck a winner, even in 2025, is the decision to stick with a sub-1080p resolution of 1280 x 800 pixels. This might seem like a downgrade, but it allows the GPU hardware to punch above its weight class..."

My personal Steam Library, which began to grow with the arrival of Half-Life 2 (a Valve FPS that looks and runs excellent on the Deck) back in 2004, features 295 ‘Great of Deck’ games, with even more that are playable but might have a couple of issues related to needing to use the keyboard overlay, touch screen, or text being difficult to read in some cases. The Steam Deck has been available for nearly two years, so regular updates have improved the experience immensely.

Regarding performance in visually demanding games, the general rule of thumb is that you’ll be playing using a mixture of Low or Medium settings with AMD’s DLSS-like FSR FidelityFX Super Resolution upscaling enabled to enhance performance. The result is a solid 30FPS in games like Baldur’s Gate 3, Dragon Age: The Veiilguard, Dying Light 2, The Last of Us Part I, and Cyberpunk 2077. 

Fire up a classic like 2015’s Batman: Arkham Knight, which still looks incredible almost a decade later, and you’ll be able to hit a solid and smooth 60FPS with console-quality visuals in the palm of your hand. With VRR or Variable Refresh Rate support, games that run at around 50-60FPS, like Grounded or V Rising, look as smooth as games running at 60FPS. 

Of course, this means that the Steam Deck is a brilliant handheld for indie or smaller games with 2D art or modest 3D visuals. Baltatro, Vampire Survivors, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Splintered Fate, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, The Rogue Prince of Persia, Halls of Torment, Neva, Hades II, Dave the Diver, and more.

The list is long, and if you’ve been curating a Steam library for several years, the Steam Deck is quite remarkable, as playing roguelikes and other jump-in and jump–out games feel more at home on a handheld than a desktop PC.

Battery Life, Noise, How it Feels

The Steam Deck OLED is considerably larger than the Nintendo Switch and weighs much more. That said, the design does feature impressive weight distribution, so it is something that you can comfortably game with for hours. The button placement, which initially looks weird with the D-Pad going right up to the edge, is not an issue. With the even weight distribution, it feels ergonomic and comfortable. Throw in the full touch-screen display, easy-to-access on-screen keyboard and overlay, haptic feedback, touchpads, and underside buttons, and Valve’s design is a winner.

"The Steam Deck feels more like the Nintendo Switch than a gaming PC or laptop, as Valve’s SteamOS and commitment to the handheld removes all the guesswork and customization headaches that come with PC gaming."

With the Steam Deck OLED's larger battery, we could game with it for a solid few hours (2 to 4) playing a visually intensive game or an entire day jumping in and out of Balatro rounds. It’s not amazing by any stretch, and battery life will always be an area where portable devices can improve, but it’s decent for a portable PC gaming handheld. Also, it’s worth highlighting that even though you can hear the Steam Deck’s fans when playing something like Cyberpunk 2077, the overall noise is barely noticeable if you’re playing using the Deck’s built-in speakers. Great stuff.

Summary - Or How the Steam Deck Made Me Fall in Love with Gaming Again

Is the Steam Deck OLED a worthwhile purchase in 2025? For me, the answer is a resounding yes. Here’s the thing: it’s not just for taking with you on the go; it’s also perfect for moving from your desk or PC to a more comfortable couch or bedroom environment for some relaxed gaming.

And being Linux-based, it’s entirely open and flexible, meaning that it’s a brilliant online or offline video player for TV shows and movies, a capable emulation machine that can run games from classic consoles right up to the Nintendo GameCube, and something you can stream a high-end path-traced visual showcase like Indiana Jones and the Great Circle from your GeForce RTX-powered rig to.

"It’s entirely open and flexible, meaning that it’s a brilliant online or offline video player for TV shows and movies, a capable emulation machine that can run games from classic consoles right up to the Nintendo GameCube..."

The Steam Deck taps into the same thing that Nintendo did with the Switch: the ability to game connected to a display or big-screen TV or in the palm of your hand. As someone with a high-end PC, the Steam Deck has got me playing more PC games in the closing months of 2024 than I had the entire year prior.

Indie titles like Hades II, Deep Rock Galactic: Survivor, and Halls of Torment. Multiplayer co-op experiences like Grounded and Sea of Thieves. Big blockbuster titles like Cyberpunk 2077 and Dragon Age: The Veilguard, the list goes on. 

A big part of this comes down to the freedom you get from gaming on a handheld, but a key component is also the sheer brilliance of SteamOS and how much better it is than Windows for gaming. Valve’s Steam Deck is a winner, so much so that the inevitable Steam Deck 2 will be a massive moment for PC gaming. Until then, I’ll gladly play, watch, and enjoy countless more hours with the Steam Deck OLED.

What’s Boss?

  • Comfortable and ergonomic
  • SteamOS makes it feel more like a console than a PC
  • Massive list of optimized games
  • Excellent features and options
  • Full Linuz control opens the door to emulation and more

Not Boss Enough?

  • Struggles with some of the more visually intensive games
  • No direct access to secondary libraries like PC Game Pass
  • Battery life is good, but could be better

The Steam Deck is now available for purchase in Australia, and after spending dozens of hours with the premium OLED model, it's still an impressive and versatile portable gaming device.

Learn about our reviews

About the Author

Written By Kosta Andreadis
Kosta Andreadis is a veteran gaming and technology writer with decades of experience across news, reviews, and in-depth articles. Between Diablo seasons, he can be found creating new electronic jams (music, not the digital condiment) and tinkering with retro gaming hardware.
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