The Steam Deck OLED: What's Under the Hood?

Get an inside look at the new Steam Deck OLED and see what makes it tick. From the upgraded fan to the new WiFi 6E module, we dive into the details of this exciting new handheld gaming PC.

The Steam Deck OLED: A Glimpse Under the Hood

The new Steam Deck OLED is finally here, and it’s not just the sparkling screen that’s got everyone excited. Valve has made sure the chassis is identical to the original LCD version, which means all your translucent covers will still be compatible, but things are very different inside.

The upgraded fan looks like it was ripped straight out of a gaming laptop

For a start, the new Steam Deck OLED looks a whole lot more professional. It’s almost like the difference between a simple beige box office machine and a proper gaming PC. The upgraded fan, which looks like it was ripped straight out of a gaming laptop, helps make this new version far quieter than the standard Deck.

The mainboard around the new 6nm Sephiroth APU looks a lot more simple, too. Though you can see most of the memory chips are on a different side compared to the LCD version, potentially because there’s more space on the reverse as the OLED panel is thinner and cooler.

The new WiFi 6E module is a big silver chip on the left-hand side by the SSD.

One other thing that is quite obvious is the new WiFi 6E module. That’s the big silver chip on the left-hand side by the SSD (in its little sleeping bag). You can also see the discrete WiFi and Bluetooth antennae attached to it—Valve says this makes it a lot more straightforward to connect multiple Bluetooth game controllers when you’re playing docked.

The new WiFi 6E module makes it easier to connect multiple Bluetooth game controllers

What’s Next for the Steam Deck?

The Steam Deck OLED is a significant upgrade to the original, but it’s not the only thing that’s new in the world of handheld gaming. With the rise of portable gaming, it’s an exciting time to be a gamer on-the-go.

The world of handheld gaming is more exciting than ever

Whether you’re looking for the best Steam Deck accessories or trying to decide which handheld gaming PC is right for you, there’s never been a better time to get into portable gaming. And with the Steam Deck OLED leading the charge, it’s an exciting time to be a gamer.