Nintendo Switch OLED just came out during the first week of July, whereas the latest Steam Deck console from Valve has been introduced on Thursday, July 15.
Fans have shown an early interest in the two latest consoles for this year amid rumors about a powerful gaming gadget that would come with new processors, and several upgrades. For this reason, you might feel confused as to what you should choose between the two.
This article will assist you in choosing the "better" console depending on your preference and gaming habit.
Switch OLED vs Steam Deck: Design and Display
The arrival of Valve Steam Deck just got in time a week after Nintendo announced the new Switch OLED. So far, we know that the latter is a "slight" upgrade to the original Switch, while the Steam Deck is perfect for PC gamers who want to play games more conveniently.
While the OLED is a complete screen upgrade of the past Switch version, Steam Deck's screen still stands out better than Nintendo's console. The design for their controllers might be identical with prominent analog sticks and buttons in the same position.
Nintendo Switch OLED relies on its joy-cons, which still remain prone to drift issues. On the other hand, Steam Deck has a new trackpad feature intended for PC games.
For their sizes, the Steam Deck is bigger and heavier compared to Switch OLED. The latter's dimension measures 9.5 x 4.0 x 0.6 inches, while it weighs 14.9 ounces. Valve's console is 11.7 x 4.6 x 1.9 inches in dimension. It is bulkier as well at 23.6 ounces.
Switch OLED vs Steam Deck: Specs and Game Selection
According to a report by Tom's Guide, the Switch OLED did not receive any improvements in its processor. It retained its base hardware used in the previous Switch models: Nvidia Tegra X1 chip and Nvidia Maxwell-based GPU.
As usual, the console has a storage of 64 GB. You can also access its cloud-saving by paying $20 annually for the online subscription.
Meanwhile, Valve's Steam Deck is more powerful with its AMD Zen 2 CPY and AMD 8 RDNA GPU. Its 16 RAM will let you run games at a smooth pace. It also supports Bluetooth 5.0.
For the battery, the Steam Deck is still more dominant with its battery life that could last 7 to 8 hours. The Switch OLED can reportedly last for 5 to 9 hours of usage.
For the game selection, it's like a "pick your own poison" dilemma that you should think about. Are you inclined more on the Steam library, or do you prefer the Nintendo eShop? The choice is yours.
Switch OLED vs Steam Deck: Docking
What we know so far is the Switch OLED is dockable to the TV through simple steps.
For the Steam Deck, you can also connect it to the PC through its port. However, the Valve console could not be docked in the same way as the OLED model.
Switch OLED vs Steam Deck: Pricing
For reference, the Steam Deck will come at three prices. Pocketlint reported that it would be shipped in December.
64GB eMMC storage - $399
256GB SSD - $529 (with carrying case)
512 GB SSD - $649 (with scratch-resistant screen)
The Switch OLED, meanwhile, will come in two versions: a white Joy-con version, and a red-and-blue Joy-con version. Since it is a "slight" upgrade of the basic Switch, it would cost $350. It will be released on Oct. 8
The Verdict
The Nintendo Switch OLED might be more comfortable to use than the Steam Deck since the placing of the buttons in the controller fits the tap style of the gamers. However, Steam Deck can handle more games faster than the OLED model since it has a better set of CPU and GPU.
For this part, you can go with the OLED since it would be released at an earlier date than Valve's console. But, if you can wait for a few months, go for the Steam Deck since it would be the game-changer and tight competitor of the long-running Switch.
This article is owned by Tech Times
Written by Joseph Henry