Steam Deck OLED Screen Comparison: 1TB vs 512GB
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- čas přidán 27. 05. 2024
- I got my hands on the 512GB OLED Steam Deck, so let's compare the screen against the 1TB model. Which is better for OLED -- etched glass or glossy?
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Timestamps:
00:00 introduction
01:14 LCD vs OLED revisited
03:54 reflection test
06:54 viewing angles test
07:20 OLED vs OLED head on
08:32 macro lens testing
11:35 ideal use case test
12:49 512GB OLED vs Switch OLED
13:23 summary and conclusion
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#SteamDeck #handheldPC #PCgaming - Hry
i feel like i want to get the the 1tb version in case i ever go outside and use it but deep down i know I'm never gonna go outside lol..
Loool real
lmao same, I kinda just want to play it in bed honestly
deep down lmao :D
I don't think I want to go around with $600 on my pockets; I'd rather use it exclusively for remote play
same, but in my case i use it a lot in the garden or balcony. and here the 1tb version is really useful.
@@n1lknarf Most people have 1000$ phones on them at all times
We received both screen types last night, an LE and a 512. Played with both next to each other for 2 hours in varying light. There is no truly perceivable difference in my opinion, both look amazing. The etched just handles reflections better. Both are amazing and no one should feel like they’re getting a worse version. After actually seeing and using both next to each other I think it’s just a shame this became such a controversy. My advice is just get whatever version you like. If you think the LE looks cool and can afford it, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. And the 512 is equally beautiful - I really like the black analog stems.
it's so dumb, it's like HiFi cabling bell wire vs gold wire rolled between the thighs of angels....it makes little if any real concrete measurable difference to the limited wet ware in our heads.
The only reason I want the etched glass is I am in my car in the sun a lot and I would like the one with the better reflection qualities 🤔
@@brewdog8568 yeah got one too, use my OG on planes a lot and that can generate a lot of reflections
@@eaglemmoomin_418It DEFINITELY is not to that level but alright lol
For many though yeah, the screen thing wont make too much difference. But having both units in front of me too, yeah the 512 definitely looks better for my use case (mostly playing at home in my den, not very brightly lit room when im gaming).
I say it wont matter to most buying a Steam Deck though, because most of the demographic who bought a Steam Deck in 2022 didn't care much about how awful that screen was. Truly a terrible screen that somehow was worse than tablet screens pre 2015. Many who loved the SD put up with it just fine though. If THAT didnt bother you much, then this glossy vs etched glass discussion really just does not apply to you I'm sorry lol. You'll be happy either way (and Im jealous, as I wish I felt the same way, would save me a lot of $ in my life)
I like the way how u think brother. You're absolutely correct. I think they did beget with both screens on ťhen new model vs the paucity model screens. With the launch models there was a difference, but not a bad or significant one.
Exact review I was looking for. Thank you👌🏼
Im thankful for these videos. Happy thanksgiving to y'all
I went for the glossy one, seems I would have been happy with either though. I only plan on playing old-ish games so this thing will be used for years to come!
You will love it. We have both screen types and basically every version of the SD OLED is fantastic. And you cannot beat the value of the 512 version.
I have the LCD one and its glossy and I have no problems If dirty with finger prints I clean it with a micro fiber.
@@valg.3152ya I have the etched OG deck and it gets fingerprints just the same as the glossy oled I recently got. I like gloss better the etch DOES add a slight haze. The oled has deep enough blacks and vibrant enough colors I’m assuming it’s less profound but on the LCD glossy would have been a better choice for me ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Got the glossy one, mostly because of price and I heard it was like the switch screen which I love. Got it yesterday and I’m very happy with it. I had the non reflective SD before and I don’t mind the difference
Accidentally ordered both the legion go and SD OLED and I'm not sure which to keep. Ive been using the legion go and feel like it's a good upgrade but the OLED still hasn't come in yet and I wonder if it's worth it to test out or just return it right away. I tried cancelling the order but no response kinda weird.
I was wondering that as well bc I got the OG antiglare steam deck. Might go for the glossy just for lower cost.
@dragonbike471 I'd try it out first steams return policy is pretty good. oled screens are amazing.
@@SeanJWK yeah I'll give it a fair shot but I wish that I could keep both but that's bugging
I got the 512GB glossy SD, will put a Matt Screen protector on it though lol :D if I don’t like it I can still take it off
Thank you so much, Russ!
I value your opinion so much more than that of a certain other big CZcams channel with the three capital letters…
Once again you prove why that’s the case.
I almost cancelled my 1tb version because of this whole thing, but I watched another review that says in the dark it doesn’t change much (where I play primarily). But I like the option of anti glare in other situations.
going for 512 means you have the option to add etched or increase the storage. switch oled is a great reference for deciding because youtube compression is dogshit
@@NoradNoxtus no complaints with matte screen personally. Rather not expand myself minus another tb of micro sd. My switch oled looks great and so does the 1tb oled steamdeck. Your mileage may vary. It is too slight to care personally.plus the matte screen just looks sharp.
If you buy a gloss screen protector and out it on the etched glass is pretty much removes the anti glare @@NoradNoxtus
Or just add the screen protector which is what I did and is better than the original etched one.
@@saulg195 no complaints from me. Very happy with 1tb and never looked back
I’m so glad I finally found someone comparing the SD OLED models to the switch OLED. I love my switch OLED and I’ve been leaning toward the 512GB SD model so seeing your video comparison has helped a ton!
Thank you for making me feel better about my LCD model 😌
Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the video!
I guess the next thing to do is put a glossy screen protector on the 1 TB version and compare, then switch it up with an anti-reflective screen protector on the 512 GB version and see how that compares to the etched 1 TB.
it shouldn't work right... logic tells us that if its matt underneath then adding a glossy screen protector shouldn't change the properties of whats underneath it, but i think it does because the screen protector kind of acts like a magnifying glass. it would be an interesting comparison.
@@jinx20001 The way I see it, the adhesive on a protector fills in the rough surface of the etched glass which then hinders its ability to diffuse light. I assume that it will look no different than the glossy screen.
@@MAKExEVIL that could well be it, either way we have already seen the results and yeh the screen protector does noticeably reduce the effect of etching.
@@jinx20001 I just did it this morning. Added a glossy protector on my LE. It definitely cancels out the matte by a lot.
@@filmjkk good to know, I think I’ll opt to use one
happy thanksgiving retro game corps! what a pleasant surprise to wake up to
There is something you didnt mention. Fingerprints. It's a touch screen so you do touch it and marks on glossy screen are much more visible.
Two trackpads and keyboard pops up everywhere yet you're complaining about finger prints? Keep coping
You can write that others are whining or appreciate that they have a specific fact to add about the device being reviewed, which may help potential buyers, even if not you personally, because you don't pay attention to that factor.@@MrOdaddy2011
@@MrOdaddy2011 dude what??? you telling me you never used the deck touch screen
clean it then...
@@MrOdaddy2011i don’t think you understand what coping means
This was extremely useful. Thanks for this!
As always, super interesting. Thanks for sharing !
I found this helpfully unhelpful
Your analysis was deeper than anything I'd be able to do at home and it showed no major differences, but you mention in personal use-case (which you should do) that there's a noticeable difference. I've heard others say this which makes me wonder why Valve likes etched glass screens so much when you can apply anti-glare screen protectors which aren't permanent and give you the best of both worlds.
If you play a lot of text heavy games or pixel graphics games then I recommend glossy. You'll never notice the clarity difference on 3D/AAA games, but if you play games like Divinity 2 or Octopath, etc., you're going to notice it and the clarity of the glossy screen will be beneficial.
Happy Thanksgiving Russ from the Netherlands. Love your videos and also the podcasts on NerdNest
Awesome! Thank you!
I am glad I ordered the 1TB etched. I was starting to get worried with all the hubbub, but this shows what I assumed. Face reflections would make me way more upset than minor diffusion over black areas that I barely notice - the OLED screen is a huge upgrade from my 64gb anyway, and I am not an OLED contrast snob. Plus, as you and Taki Udon pointed out, if I put a screen protector on it'll do almost the same thing so I have options. Can't wait til my new Deck gets here tomorrow!
Coping off the charts 😂
@@CJP.-pq3kr
@@CJP.-pq3kr Coping what exactly? It's free returns and more expensive - an easy resolution if they wanted to "fix" it.
@CJP.-pq3kr No cope here bud. Never owned an OLED, can't stand face reflections, and objectively better than what I have. I'll be perfectly happy in my use case. I just appreciate Russ taking the time to help others out who are more choosy.
@@CJP.-pq3kr seems like you're coping dudette.
I think it's EXTREMELY close. I do think I like the etched glass because it adds a small amount of organic anti aliasing which is nice on an 800p screen
Yeah - this is my takeaway too. it will make text less sharp - but a built in anti-alias effect should be welcome on a 7.4inch 800p screen.
You mean blurriness?
@@jc74435 that is effectively what anti aliasing is, blending and effectively blurring neighboring pixels on edges... very effective when you have a low pixel count and trust me, when you have the 800p deck screen next to a 1080p ally, its extremely noticeable how much better the AA is naturally on ally... if the etched glass has that effect it could be a positive.
@@jc74435For retro games, this stinks, I love my pixels! But for modern games on Steam, I'm sure it makes the image look less low quality!
Valid point. I do prefer the etched more from the macro perspective but imo you can always get blurrier with an etched screen protector but never truly sharper. I mean sure you can add a glossy screen protector but it won’t be as sharp as the non etched. It’s also cheaper so that’s another big reason to go that route vs the other way around😅
I'm sticking to glossy I bought the 512gb for the LCD and still had to put an anti glare screen protector from jsaux on it. Etched glass is nice for finger prints but now with the OLED launch the old 512 wasn't worth it. But after over a year my deck is still games strong. looking forward to turning my deck into a dedicated console whenever the OLED goes on sale next year during a steam sale.
This is the comparison video I was searching for.
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Russ!
Hey Retro Game Corps, first off love the content it’s helped me both make my choices and be prepared for the best setup process for emulation etc.
I’ve scoured your videos and I’d like to see a recommended accessories for the steam OLED. Particularly I’m trying to find a screen protector for the 1TB model among other great recommended accessories.
Been loving my anti-glare OLED 1tb model since I play in bright rooms but I’m glad both options exist and both options are great!
Exactly! There is no bad version of the SD OLED. Whatever you get it’s awesome.
Can't decide to get the 512 or the 1tb..
And what about the 90hz vs the 60hz ? Which Games can you play with 90hz and is it worth the money ?
Glad I got the glossy, even though reflections/glare can be annoying at times the extra little bit that comes from the glossy goes a long way. Even though it’s the same resolution the new screen really feels like a graphical step up from the old one
I have the LCD and the ROG Ally I will wait for the Steam Deck 2.
I went with glossy/512. I always have a screen protector on everything so I figured Id want glossy as the actual panel even if I wanted a non reflective screen protector. I have a glossy screen protector, but I may try a non reflective at some point. I also figure that if I am okay using a glossy cell phone screen, that the reflection issue is probably not a huge deal.
Finally a good comparison between the two models, thanks! I just wonder if using a glossy screen protector on the 1TB SD has the same effect as using an original glossy screen on the 512GB SD.
I'm also curious about this.
He stated in one of his previous videos that he thought that would work but he peeled it off after a week because it just made the haze glossy
You're really making great videos. As one of the many Steam Deck OLED customers I wanted to know if there is really something about the displays between the 512 GB OLED and 1 TB OLED.
My feelings already told me to go for the 1 TB version and Ive ordered it.
Thank you for the video!
This is the video I was waiting for! Not to justify my 512 decision, but because I know that my preferences and reasoning often lines up with yours. I’m mainly a retro gaming enthusiast and at the end of the day this isn’t going to be the only handheld I use, so 512 will save me a bit of money and will look great. Very intrigued by the etched glass on an OLED though. I’d love to see on smaller handhelds that I take with me on the plane.
Honestly, I haven't played in direct light or under the sun since the Gameboy Color days when it was the best way to play. Once more and more devices became backlit, I haven't played that way since. So the etch glass model is paying for a feature I don't need and have zero plans to ever use. So the 512 gloss finish for me, but it's great that they offer that feature for those who may want or need that feature.
I have just updated my 512gb LCD Steam Deck and the video convinced me I am good with that for now. I was actually surprised how well my model held up in comparison it obviously doesn't look as good as the Oleds but it's good enough to not feel the need to upgrade.
i just did the same and played a little with the colors and i think i am fine with the colors now. sense the oled version is not available in my country i was willing to overpay and buy it from ebay , but now i feel that i don't really need it anymore , because after all the games that you play are what makes the experience.
except you play at at least 30-40% worse input lag , no hdr and no oled. if I were you I would throw my lcd to the closest garbage can I see
@shhyeehaha stop, it's not that bad
@@AlexRubio 🤷🏼♀️
@@shhyeehaha if there are an input lag then i haven't noticed any and i never liked HDR because how dark and dull it makes the game look. i have device with good oled screen and in some games for e.g : gta vice city the colors are just too much and it looks unrealistic to me, so I'm actually prefer the lcd screen in those cases.
but i do appreciate the bigger screen and the refresh rate that oled offers and at some point i will get me the oled version but i don't feel rushed anymore.
Yeah, I just received the 1TB yesterday but seeing another YT comparison I noticed the 512GB is a bit sharper.
So I purchased the 512GB model Wednesday and put a return claim in on the 1TB model.
I'll only use it in a dark room, so refections wont be a concern.
However, I'll have to manage the storage better, or install a larger internal ssd in the near future.
I just wished Valve offered up both panels with 1TB options.
Both models have pros and cons obviously, its just a matter of preference.
That was a supetb comparison, btw!
Thank you 👍
Same here
Imao 512 looks better🎉🎉🎉
how do you like your 512 model?
@coreys6072 Absolutely love it! That glossy oled screen with hdr as well, is a game changer. I have the Legion Go and Ally as well, but I'm probably returning both as the SD Oled is near perfect. Unless I need either for pc ultimate gaming, then I'll keep one of those Windows handhelds as well.
@@poedottaviano6924 you just sold me on the 512 model then. I was thinking 1tb would be good but the screen is a major downside. I want glossy so colors pop. Thank you!
Thanks for this. I'm a matte finish guy, but I'll typically be in a controlled lighting situation like you discussed, and would rather have the pop -- especially on text as you mentioned as well. Thanks again.
Glossy wins, flawless victory.
I have been waiting for a comparison even though I really wanted to buy on the day of release. I wish I could see them in person and decide.
Happy Thanksgiving Russ from Retro Game Corps
Same to you!
@@RetroGameCorps don't feel bad, I have to work Thanksgiving day too. I go in at 7pm until 7am
Just throwing my 2 cents out there. I snagged a limited edition and have been playing my deck non stop. I have an OLED monitor that's glossy so I do have some reference. The etched glass is truly a no issue for me. Everything is sharp. Colors are great. Blacks are perfect. No issues on my end. Played indoors and outdoors in varying lighting conditions and no issues. Probably the biggest upside though is that it naturally tends to hide fingerprints.
Would be nice to see a ground-up re-review of the Steam Deck considering modern emulation capabilities and the OLED model.
This issue has been overblown. Get the etched if you need it, you use it in dark and bright environments, get the glossy if u don't need it, and want to save money. You can also get a anti-glare screen protector like I did for my LCDeck which works well. you aren't going to notice the difference like retro is zooming 10x into the screen to spot the difference
For sure, I call this the "Costco effect". When you're sitting there at the store all of the TVs have slight differences, but if you put any of them in your living room they will look great.
@@RetroGameCorps very true!
Thank you very much for this video. Great as usual, was waiting for it 🙂
Unfortunately, it didn't help with my decision. I do have an OG 512 etched and an upgraded 64 glossy (from the sale). When on the couch in the evening, I also prefer the glossy LCD one. It somehow, subjectively, looks better to me. When I'm on train (long business trips), sitting at the window, well... And I would like to have the double case. And having 1 TB already without having to open it, for just 100 more is also attractive. 🤔
So... I'll postpone the decision and stay with my LCD-ones for the time being.
These are exactly my thoughts too. I cannot decide which for the same reasons you say.
I'd be so down for them to have this as simply a selectable feature, so you could order a 512 GB model with or without the edged glass feature, and the same for the 1 TB model. Of course there'd be a price difference for the premium display. But we know that won't happen. Oh, and maybe the option to buy from Switzerland. At some point in time. It's a drag to depend on resellers who have to somehow import them from the UK with power adapters we can only use with bulky adapters and at a spiked price.
seems they trying to keep costs down by only have 3 skus.
Guys the Steam Deck OLED is so awesome I don't regret getting it despite having the previous 512GB flagship Steam Deck LCD already.
This new OLED one is noticeably much lighter as soon as I picked it up. The joysticks and buttons also feels better also when gaming.
Don't pay too much attention to etched vs. glossy. They are both just as good. I got the Limited Edition not coz of the etched screen but coz of the overall look and 1TB SSD. I also have put a clear glossy screen protector on it not coz I specifically prefer glossy but coz I simply want to protect the screen from scratches.
Overall, the new OLED Steam Deck is definitely the definitive edition that should have been released back then. While minor, most things has been upgraded. This just gives me more confidence on Valve how great the future Steam Deck 2 would be! 😁
I'm glad you compared the LCD screen with boosted contrast vs the OLED. Now I have less FOMO. I may still end up getting the glossy OLED but now I don't feel rushed.
You took the words right out of my mouth I agree with you 100%
in fairness the LCD deck is amazing as it is, the fact valve just keep improving it is nuts, the software experience is still the best available on a handheld so i dont think anybody should feel like they need to upgrade... shit steam deck is so good i just decided to sell my ally and buy the OLED deck even though i already have the LCD deck to.
Yeah I just bought an lcd instead of the oled cause the oled is almost double the price and I don’t wanna spend an extra 300 for a better screen + extra battery
@@jinx20001 oh really? Sold the Ally? I've always wondered if that handheld was worth it. I never pulled the trigger bc I had my deck.
@@ninjason57 well dont get me wrong the ally is a good system, i have had it since day 1 and lived with it almost exclusively as a handheld since with my deck not getting a look in... but thats not for the reason most people would expect, power right... the power didnt really have a meaningful effect on me, AAA games still run poorly no matter what handheld you have, they are just not where they need to be for that in my opinion.
The main reason i chose to use ally was because i seen it as a better gaming experience when gaming, nicer display to look at, better speakers and it was just a new toy so i tried to love it like we all do with new things. Now that the deck has an OLED display i think it just offers that next step over LCD, i use a LG C1 oled on my pc so i know the benefits and that in a handheld... well excellent... but all the other things on top of that just sealed the deal for me, battery life, new analogue sticks, improvements to touch pads etc it just makes the deck really refined.
sorry know its a long one. On top of all that i have had issues with my ally, the sticks are quite bad, when rotating them they click now and then and i found that i needed to take them out and put tape around the step so the caps fit better. Then some games are just unplayable on ally like battlebit wheras on deck its pretty good even though it has no controller support because of the community made deck setups, so you get gyro etc. Everything is just nicer on deck ya know so power aside im struggling to see a downside to the deck besides outright game support outside of steam and ofcourse no VRR... really liked VRR but the decks Vsync setup is pretty special to.
glad i got the anti glare honestly. in person it looks really amazing still, and i play in my car a lot
Ive been wanting a steam deck since they were announced and my friend got me an oled for Christmas im so excited! Been chasing that high quality gaming on the go since the psp! Never even seen an oled screen before, those colors are gonna pop!
Any recommendations for screen protectors? I’m leaning towards getting the glossy model and putting an anti-reflective protector, thoughts?
Wow, "nitpick territory" is an accurate description. Looking at the side by sides, the only obvious thing that quickly stands out to me is the color temperature, and that's it. Big props to Russ for zooming into the pixels for us, bc yeah the oled REALLY pops on both models, even if the glossy screen is more vibrant. the steamworld dig start screen on both etched & glossy look gorgeous. The SD screen's not a laptop screen or TV, and i think its small size helps us focus more on the game and not how sharp the screen is. At the end of the day, what matters is that i can play my games.
I had huge fomo when the oled models were announced, but after a while of not playing, i booted up my steam deck and thought, ah, what i have is still pretty impressive. I just want better battery life though 😂
Great video!
This is EXACTLY the video I wanted! My personal preference is getting the glossy one and putting on an AR film, so it looks more like an LG OLED TV for example, keeping that glossy finish for colors and black levels but getting lower reflection levels than the stock etched model could ever achieve (all models have the same reflectivity, the etched one is just more diffused :P)
+ this video looks AMAZING, I wish you uploaded in 4K more often ;)
would you mind dropping a link to an AR film that you’d think work well with the glossy steam deck? im struggling to just decide on one 😭
Yess, I also looking for the most suitable screen guard. Please inform us the link if you found one
I got the 512 because I really saw no need for the 1TB for myself. I’m extremely happy with my switch and was waiting for the steam deck to get an OLED screen. Can’t wait to see what you decide though.
Finally a video where the newer device isn't just hyped again and everything new is awesome.
How do you feel about getting a 512GB and putting a matte screen protector on it?
My lord you're good at this. Trusted opinion, for sure. Thanks , Russ!!
Just got my 512 gb OLED in yesterday and finally got all my games moved over, now to spend the rest of today getting my emulation set back up
I love your intro theme.
9:06 this softness on the OLED models might be from the slightly larger display, therefore less PPI and ever so slightly less sharp
This debate is currently permeating the SteamDeck subreddit. I’m in the glossy camp as that’s what works for me and my use case.
There’s so much vitriolic discussion surrounding this issue, where some people seemingly can’t accept the opposing camp’s personal opinions as being just that, an opinion. It’s reached a fever pitch, really, and I’m honestly surprised how heated it has gotten.
Personally, I’ve already made these comparisons with other devices in the environments I’m going to use the Deck in. I knew I was going to go for the glossy screen; in the rooms in which I’m going to use the device, the etched glass is going to appear hazy and have perceivably lower contrast and color saturation.
Again, the SteamDeck sub would claim etched glass is still superior and all I need to do is use a glossy screen protector to correct the issue! Which is silly. No one wants to buy a device for a feature simply to buy another item to then mitigate the supposed value that feature adds?
The entire discussion around this is hilariously futile and completely unnecessary.
Choose whichever screen works best for you and your use case. It’s not your job to convince the opposing camp that your preference is the empirically correct one, or shame others for their individual choices.
We spend so much time debating in the gaming community it’s no surprise we all have insurmountable backlogs.
btw the screen protector thing is completely wrong, it would give you the worst of both worlds.
They are both trying to justify their big purchases they made recently. I'd say the 512 is the safer option because u could get a matte screen protector if u ever want anti glare in the future.
I had the etched glass on the OG steam deck, and I was able to notice it hardcore, and not in a good way. I opted for gloss this time, especially being that OLED historically works best with gloss panels.
I think within the reddit community you're speaking of, it basically boils down to people trying to justify *TO THEMSELVES* that they didn't make a mistake, so they attack the opposite camp in order to achieve that goal. It should be facts vs facts, but when it comes to the bickering online about this issue, it regresses into facts vs feelings. It's a fact that the glossy panel is going to be more color accurate and sharp. There's no debate to that. There's a give and a take to most things in life, and this is no different. The etched glass will help with reflections, but won't look as nice. Take it or leave it, but all the arguing online is pointless when the facts are so definitive.
@@SeanJWK agreed. The screen protector suggestion is coming from folks who don’t understand the technology of etched glass and how light scattering and diffusion works.
I got my 512 model and already upgraded the SSD. At some point if I need matte, I can easily find one of dozens of brands on Amazon, from high end options to cheap, removable and temporary ones.
@@TheSixthSLoT definitely agree. Confirmation bias and self-validation is a strong aspect of the Reddit community as a whole.
i think for me the vitriol comes from people saying the etched screen looks 'hazy' - it's freaking not 'hazy' and doesn't look 'fuzzy' or any other dumb stupid buzzword glossy-ists keep pandering about. it's clear as GLASS, you simpleton - there's no haze to be found. valve isn't offering a 'hazy' screen at a higher price point on two out of three SKUs in their lineup because Dave2D and Silverjerk know better than they do.
I got the 512gb oled model which arrived today - super happy with it.
So ... basically ... if you have to take macroshots in order to make slight differences visible ... than Valve did an awesome job and it's no longer a question if the glare or non-glare display is better or not 😎 It only comes down to price, storage and if you need a non-glare display or not. Thanks for this comparison! Helped me a lot.
To be fair, he said the macro shots didn't show him much, but the naked eye test was obvious (to him). Seeing them side by side he had a very clear and distinguishable preference that he noticed.
@@CosmicApe 👍
I've been rocking the LCD 512 GB with anti glare etched glass. I cant say that having the anti glare glass has made that much of a difference for me. Just ordered the 512 OLED, cant wait!
Did you run the same tests with the OLED Etched + Glass Protector (of glass)? You said it did help, but only kind of in your "Worth the upgrade?" video. I couldn't NOT get the special case 1TB OLED, but I wasn't exactly psyched with getting the etched glass variant. I have a 65" LG OLED TV and it's gorgeous with its sharp reflective display.
I personaly would never play under a direct light source with or without an etched screen. I am getting the 512 GB OLED model. you can always upgrade to 1 TB for less than 100 bucks or even to 2 TB if you like or need to and for a few bucks you can always get a matte screen protector if you wish, that is removable. Happy gaming!
I got the 1TB oled and put a Jsaux glossy screen protector on it and it turns the screen Glossy I didn't think about it untill it was installed so yea if you don't like the etched screen just do what I did.
Glossy is the way to go for me! My tv is a glossy LG GX, my Nintendo Switch OLED is glossy, my computer monitor is a glossy Alienware QD-OLED, and now I will have the glossy Steam Deck OLED!
I got the glossy 512 GB model and I plan to put the tempered glass screen protector from Dbrand. I mainly play indoors, so I hope I’ll enjoy mine.
To me it comes down to do I want the reflections in one spot, or smeared over the whole screen?
smearing isn't what happens and isn't what, 'diffuse,' means, guy.
I went with the LE and I'm glad for it. I can get really distracted by reflections when gaming or even just on my phone and the diffusion on the etched glass is something much more manageable to me. If the Ally had better battery I might've went with that one, but from everything I've seen so far I think I'll be really happy with the etched glass
Totally agree with you. I have an Ally too and the battery is weak on it, but it does run some older games at a very high frame rate and VRR is nice. However windows is not as fun to use and it is not as seamless as the deck. Ally has a killer display for an LCD. You made a great call with the LE. Of the systems I own I would say it is SD LE OLED, Ally, LCD SD.
Thanks for all of the great videos! Since you mentioned doing a video on emulation on the Steam Deck, could you mention how you handle multi-disc GameCube games through EmuDeck? I’m struggling to find the optimal setup. Thanks again!
I loved this video but can’t agree with the matte/glossy screen take at all. I’m sitting in front of both and see no difference in normal or lower lighting conditions at all. I’ve been hunting for hours and just can’t find a scenario where one is better than the other. In brighter light the etched gets the advantage of some diffusion at the cost of a little vibrancy, making things playable without distraction. A nice bonus. But outside of the bright environment scenario, it almost feels like a disservice to tell people there is a noticeable difference. Unless there is just unit to unit variance and you got a mediocre etched unit, I can confidently say that these things are exactly the same in color, vibrancy, and black performance in normal lighting. And if you need a 10x macro to find subtle differences we’re wasting time.
Not sure why people are making such a big deal about reflections on the glossy version. The Switch OLED screen is glossy and reflective as hell and everybody has just great things to say about the display and how the colors pop. Literally nobody cares about the reflections. Valve just introduced confusion by even adding an etched glass option.
I am curious how easy a shell a swap will be now that they made the screen easier to replace, and re-work the whole design to be more repairable.
Ifixit did a video on it, battery is only difficult thing to swap mostly but it's also likely the front shell will need an update
Yeah, me too. I am definitely doing a shell swap since Valve shafted the EU with no limited edition option.
At work on Thanksgiving giving my steam deck some love lol! I was going to get the oled but im very working class, might just stick with my 512 lcd for now
It's too close for me to care. That LE model looks great.
I am seeing reports on reddit of the Limited Edition having issues with dead pixels. I ordered one today, fingers crossed i dont run into that!
I tested both the LE, with and without a screen protector, and 512gb OLED with a double blind test. Interesting results. I found the 512gb to be a bit more punchy and better looking, however, my wife couldn't tell the difference......until I pointed out the variations in colors when light hits the screen. She then noticed but didn't find it to be a big difference. BUT THEN, I put a screen protector on the LE and the difference I originally saw became MUCH less, and for my wife, it was also less. I also, through in the original 512gb with the etched screen and screen protector in the mix. My wife spotted the difference immediately as she was walking up to the screens. No surprise.
The next day, I laid out all three of the devices in front of my friend, who is a gamer but has zero experience with the steam deck, and he could not see the difference between the two OLED models. Furthermore, I didn't tell him about the etched screens and protectors, i just laid them in front of him and asked which is the best screen.
My verdict and the one I'm leaning towards keeping is the LE. I may be biased, bc I don't like etched screens, but I feel the 512gb OLED as a bit more punch and clarity vs the LE. Adding that screen protector really brought the two a lot closer together, but I still feel the 512gb wins. However, bc the difference is sooooo close with the screen protector on the LE, it's hard to give up the LE.
Which screen protector for the etched LE?
@@Kobforshort they both had the Jsaux screen protector.
Are you able to put on an anti glare screen protector on the 512 and compare with the 1tb? Is it as effective at reducing reflections? I really wish Valve just let you choose what type of panel you get at each size 😕
That would increase cost since it would complicated production. Not worth it to me IMO
@@legostarwarsrulez True as a SSD upgrade is simple and quick to do.
I don’t particularly mind the whole ‘diffusing the contrast of the blackness of OLED’ thing. My main issue with etched displays is that I don’t enjoy how they make pixels themselves look, and they create a very minor fuzziness that I personally despise. Glad to know that for the vast majority it’s a complete non-issue and that Valve has done a fantastic job here!
I'm in love with switch OLED screen I want my SD with that screen too
Sorry for going off topic but can you check if the current version of Botacera works on the OLED version, downloaded it and get no sound or WiFi on the new OLED version.
I prefer the overall image of the Deck 1TB to my OLED Switch. Prefer less light refraction and not noticing the difference you state. Personal pref.
what about an anti-glare screen protector? Would you get the same results?
I ve never seen a machine with anti glare in an oled screen. I own galaxy fold 4, galaxy tab s7+,s8 ultra, galaxybook 3 ultra. Never seen anti glare and wished they had done it but I m certain that there is a reason for that and this video proves it. Thanx for the detaild review
I believe all or at least the vast majority of OLED monitors have anti glare. From my experience it does seem to hurt image quality slightly but it's still way better than pretty much any other display option.
All high end PC gaming Oled monitors come with anti glare
I bought the LE but didn't open it. I was afraid of how the etched screen would not work for me. Russ, I don't know how you got into my brain but your comment about sharpness of text was what pushed me over the edge. I thought Taki did a good job showing the differences but without seeing seeing your impression i still had questions. I ordered my 512 and waiting on customer service to send me a return label for the LE. I really, really appreciated this video. Thank you
I also retuned my limited edition one because I just didn’t like how it looked compared to the glossy oled. You should get the dbrand case for it and a skin to make it your own with that money you’ll be saving getting the 512 oled. 🙂
i think the positives outweigh the negatives of the etched glass, less reflection near a window or in sunlight is a plus, less fingerprint magnet prone another positive, The oled pixels still behave like oled pixels so blacks switch off, the pixels still change color at light speed so almost zero ghosting or smearing...
i will say however, im saying this because i ordered a 1tb and im now slightly pissed off, so take that into consideration :)
Im going with if valve says its better, its better... i would like to see somebody drop test them, i know thats a big ask but i wonder if the etched glass has other properties that bring other advantages, is it more scratch resistant for example, i guess i should ask jerryrig this one.
but what about screen protectors, i just got my 512 and i was wondering about this whole etched vs glossy thing... but when you think it's safer to put a screen protector anyway.. how it would work on etched? to keep the anti-glare you put another ant-glare protector? is that going to get the image worse? or in the case of glossy protectors, the etched underneath is going to influence the experience or not?
on the other side put a glossy protector on glossy screen should keep the glossy characteristics, and an etched one will be good enough as the 1TB etched screen?
I think the whole screen protector thing is a lot important and this video without this consideration loses something
Etched glass its much more prone to scratching due to the etching compromising the glass. Look up the durability test on the lcd model.
@@dezcancatch ah thanks for the heads up thats good to know... screen protector it is then haha.
@@Tonno7yeah if the 512gb w/ an anti glare protector is as good as the etched that really ends all debate 🤷
This 100%
Did you check if the screens are from BOE or samsung? I read that the samsung panels have a slightly different subpixel arrangement than the BOE panels, which makes the image slightly grainier.
Which panels are better then, the BOE panel?
great video, thank you
Hey, thanks for the great video. I got the 512GB and wasn't sure if they had fixed the matte finish looking fuzzy (as I could also easily see the difference on the LCD model). I wish they would offer the LE at some point with a glossy screen, and like you said that anti-glare magic the ROG Ally has. Appreciate the hard work 👍
can you make a video about the severe mura effect the steam deck oled with a samsung panel has? if you need help noticing it, download the demo of the game Inside in oled deck and run it side by side with a device with a different panel. you would immediately notice how grainy and greenish the black sillouettes are on the oled deck. however, pure blacks are unaffected
once you notice it, it's impossible to not notice it anymore on other games. it's like having a perpetual film grain on the screen
@@arshtat Hey, I looked into this a good bit tonight. I do slightly see it, but it doesn't look as bad as what I've seen online. I'm thinking there are variations between even just the Samsung panels.
I loaded up Inside, as well as Skyrim and Deadspace. It was most noticeable in the game Inside. I really didn't see it at all in darker scenes in both Skyrim, Dead Space and other games I've played.
I wish I had an LE now to be able to test the panel differences. I also saw a guy that tested the touch sensitivity and the Samsung panel seems to be faster than the LE.
I am pretty picky with screens and didn't see this at all till you mentioned it. And even now it's so slight it won't bother me. But I do think there could be some serious variations in the panels themselves.
Hi, what skin and case are you using? I really like it!
Honestly ill take the softer less aliased etched version anyday. I feel like every game i always have the antialiasing up a lot or even maxed and this just takes some of that burden off of processing
Have been waiting for this.
Smashed the like button before watching the video.
Thank you and best regards from Istanbul. 🙂🙏
i don't go outside and live in the dark most of the day, 512 it is.
Did you get it ?
🧛♂️
Just got my OLED, and it looks amazing. There's a bit of stuttering in Retroarch now, I think because of the new 90hz frame rate. What do you think the best way to deal with that is? (hopefully without introducing input lag)
Probably best to set your per-app refresh rate to 60hz for Retroarch stuff.
I think the difference is not huge and I could hardly see it. I went etched glass like I did last time and I am very happy with it. I have a switch OLED, but do not take it with me on the go or traveling as much because of how much I hate the glare. Going from a LCD 512 to the 1tb LE OLED and it was a massive upgrade display wise.
great vid. How is the Killswitch case holding up? I'm on the fence of either getting a leather skin or the killswitch.
I had the leather skin for a while, and switched to the KillSwitch, and I greatly prefer it. I love it, and it's held up really well.
My phone is glossy, my iPad is glossy, the LCD on my Sony cameras are glossy, my OLED TV is glossy, my Switch is Glossy, my old Gameboy is glossy too and all my handhelds and all my iPhones I have ever had were glossy. I never had a problem with any of them so I am not sure why suddenly there is a problem with the Steam Deck.
Glossy for me...
I play in direct sunlight at times so it made sense to go with the etched glass.
Glossy will always be better when it comes to OLED.
Will all your videos be in 4k from now on?