The OLED Display Hasn't Blown Me Away...

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

First of all, I didn't upgrade to OLED for the OLED screen itself, but all the other improvements. If the only improvement had been an OLED display then I wouldn't have bothered.

I've had OLED phones for a while and so I knew of the qualities of these screens, but comparatively I never felt the Deck's LCD display was much worse off with the inofficial vibrancy slider set to 118 for me. The only time I'd notice it wasn't OLED, and notice that the colors looked much worse compared to those on my phone, was when there was a lot of black on the screen. Which is simply not too common, at least in the types of games I play.

Yeah, there were exceptions, like INSIDE. If that game had been available on Android I'd have bought it there for the OLED display since there's a lot of dark on the screen at all times. But other than that I had no real issues with the LCD screen.

However, a while ago I listened to an episode of a podcast where someone said the OLED display of the Steam Deck looked like it was a photo frame. They said it didn't even look like a screen anymore but rather like it's something printed and glued to to the screen, and others in the podcast seemed to agree. So I kinda let myself get hyped a little as this made me assume the Deck OLED had some sort of secret sauce that would make it look much better than the OLED on my phones.

Turned out this was not the case, the Deck OLED feels like regular old OLED to me. So no idea what that was about... it's weird how I wasn't even in it for the OLED, to it becoming something I WAS excited about after a silly podcast, only to now be disappointed again that it doesn't do anything different than my OLED phones...

Anyway, I'm curious what other people think. Have you used OLED displays before and feel like OLED on the Deck is important?

[Jenaverse]

I’ve used oleds and still use them. The oled upgrade was a big deal for me because my Q1 OG LCD had so many screen issues (amongst other issues) that I just put up with it because at the time getting a replacement was a longer wait, and I’ve already waited a year after I paid for my reservation invite.

I never purchased another when stock became available because I didn’t want to go through the same nightmare again of finding issues with it, I simply settled. The announcement of the SD Oled came as a welcomed surprised because every time I played my LCD I wished it had my NSW Oled screen instead.

I now much prefer the SD Oled because all 3 of my family’s LE Switch Oleds had that annoying green tint, and we did so many exchanges that we got tired of playing the screen lottery that Nintendo is notorious for.

This is how I wanted the OG SD to be and I’m happy with my purchase. I even have a single dead pixel on my LE that I’m ok with because again screen lottery and rma sucks. I might be settling once again but at least this time I’m much happier with this revision than the original SD release I put up with.

Wanted to add, that one dead pixel is the only issue I have with my LE, it works perfect otherwise. I feel guilty returning it for a pixel that’s not even that intrusive during gameplay, while others can’t even get theirs new oleds to work.

[Waldherz]

OLEDs only tend to blow people away who were used to pretty bad displays previously.
A very good VA panel can get close to OLED in daily usage. Same for good modern IPS panels. Sure, OLED has true blacks but that wont blow your mind on its own.

OLED is nice, but I wouldnt pay extra for it anymore.
Dont fall for the hype.

[bit-bLt]

I miss CRTs. OLED Black levels get me closer to those days. Big fan of OLED. Hate backlight bleed, and love playing spooky games.

All that's left is non sample and hold motion clarity. Which you can kind of get these days with black frame insertion and strobing the backlight... But you always lose so much brightness with those 🫠

[zorniki]

I feel the exact opposite.
Tbh I use OLEDs both on my TV (LGC2), my phone (Samsung Galaxy Ultra) and my Switch. And still I found the screen to be pretty impressive, when I first booted it up. I have to say, even more so, than when I upgraded from Switch OG to OLED or to my LG TV.
And that's only with 50% brightness activated. Also the 90Hz mode is absolutely gorgeous for games that manage to pull it off (Ori 2 for example).
So I honestly have to say, yeah, I was really blown away when I got the SD OLED!
And I find OLED to be a pretty big deal in terms of contrast and brightness - IF you like colors that pop and you don't care all that much about color accuracy of course.

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

Originally posted by zorniki:

I feel the exact opposite.
Tbh I use OLEDs both on my TV (LGC2), my phone (Samsung Galaxy Ultra) and my Switch. And still I found the screen to be pretty impressive, when I first booted it up. I have to say, even more so, than when I upgraded from Switch OG to OLED or to my LG TV.
And that's only with 50% brightness activated. Also the 90Hz mode is absolutely gorgeous for games that manage to pull it off (Ori 2 for example).
So I honestly have to say, yeah, I was really blown away when I got the SD OLED!
And I find OLED to be a pretty big deal in terms of contrast and brightness - IF you like colors that pop and you don't care all that much about color accuracy of course.

Idk. It just doesn't look any different than my previous OLED screens to me. My phone has 120 Hz so I'm used to the smooth feeling as well.

OLED seems rather overhyped to me in general. I certainly appreciate it but I don't even think about it when it's not an OLED screen. Blacker blacks ARE nice, I don't want to say like this isn't a nice benefit. But I just can't vouch for its importance

[[JRE] Joe Rogan]

I'm used to OLED displays and I wouldn't say it blows me away but its clearly a huge and welcome upgrade over the LCD display no question. It depends on what game you're running on it obviously as well.

[Shibby]

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

Originally posted by zorniki:

I feel the exact opposite.
Tbh I use OLEDs both on my TV (LGC2), my phone (Samsung Galaxy Ultra) and my Switch. And still I found the screen to be pretty impressive, when I first booted it up. I have to say, even more so, than when I upgraded from Switch OG to OLED or to my LG TV.
And that's only with 50% brightness activated. Also the 90Hz mode is absolutely gorgeous for games that manage to pull it off (Ori 2 for example).
So I honestly have to say, yeah, I was really blown away when I got the SD OLED!
And I find OLED to be a pretty big deal in terms of contrast and brightness - IF you like colors that pop and you don't care all that much about color accuracy of course.

Idk. It just doesn't look any different than my previous OLED screens to me. My phone has 120 Hz so I'm used to the smooth feeling as well.

OLED seems rather overhyped to me in general. I certainly appreciate it but I don't even think about it when it's not an OLED screen. Blacker blacks ARE nice, I don't want to say like this isn't a nice benefit. But I just can't vouch for its importance

Nah OLED is a huge upgrade compared to the trash screen the old one has. The old screen was a smeary uncalibrated mess and was the weakest part of the old Deck.

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

Originally posted by Shibby:

Nah OLED is a huge upgrade compared to the trash screen the old one has. The old screen was a smeary uncalibrated mess and was the weakest part of the old Deck.

I'm not seeing it. Unless it's a really dark game I hardly even notice the difference (while using VibrantDeck with the slider set to 118 mind you)

But I knew that coming from an OLED phone, I was just surprised about the claims in that podcast. For anyone who's deciding to upgrade just for the screen alone it's really worth checking how much you value the OLED display of your phone if you have one, or perhaps your TV, because it will be most likely about identical in quality and help you decide if you really need that

[Kage Goomba]

OLED is as impressive as I expected.

I suspect the OP is tainted with unreasonable expectations.

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

Originally posted by Kage Goomba:

OLED is as impressive as I expected.

I suspect the OP is tainted with unreasonable expectations.

Yeah, because I listened to a podcast where people made ludicrous claims.
It helps to read, then you don't need to suspect

But also, I still think OLED is overrated. The Deck may not have had a great screen but I have plenty of nice LCD panels that really don't need to be OLED

[Shibby]

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

Originally posted by Shibby:

Nah OLED is a huge upgrade compared to the trash screen the old one has. The old screen was a smeary uncalibrated mess and was the weakest part of the old Deck.

I'm not seeing it. Unless it's a really dark game I hardly even notice the difference (while using VibrantDeck with the slider set to 118 mind you)

But I knew that coming from an OLED phone, I was just surprised about the claims in that podcast. For anyone who's deciding to upgrade just for the screen alone it's really worth checking how much you value the OLED display of your phone if you have one, or perhaps your TV, because it will be most likely about identical in quality and help you decide if you really need that

I have OLED on my phone and TV and comparing them to LCD it's night and day in the differences and maybe you should just listen to a new podcast or you know just watch the hundreds of videos of it before it launched. It honestly feels more like you didn't get one and want to feel better about your old Deck. OLED is a big deal and if your eyes can't tell then you are lucky as you will be saving tons of money.

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

Originally posted by Shibby:

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

I'm not seeing it. Unless it's a really dark game I hardly even notice the difference (while using VibrantDeck with the slider set to 118 mind you)

But I knew that coming from an OLED phone, I was just surprised about the claims in that podcast. For anyone who's deciding to upgrade just for the screen alone it's really worth checking how much you value the OLED display of your phone if you have one, or perhaps your TV, because it will be most likely about identical in quality and help you decide if you really need that

I have OLED on my phone and TV and comparing them to LCD it's night and day in the differences and maybe you should just listen to a new podcast or you know just watch the hundreds of videos of it before it launched. It honestly feels more like you didn't get one and want to feel better about your old Deck. OLED is a big deal and if your eyes can't tell then you are lucky as you will be saving tons of money.

LoL. Yeah I don't have one, that's why I have the OLED keyboard

Maybe go watch some reviews comparing it to the screens of the ROG Ally and Legion Go saying those screens look pretty amazing in comparison despite being LCD and I'll believe that any time of the day. OLED just isn't the big deal you think it is

[tomk1]

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

However, a while ago I listened to an episode of a podcast where someone said the OLED display of the Steam Deck looked like it was a photo frame. They said it didn't even look like a screen anymore but rather like it's something printed and glued to to the screen, and others in the podcast seemed to agree. So I kinda let myself get hyped a little as this made me assume the Deck OLED had some sort of secret sauce that would make it look much better than the OLED on my phones.
Turned out this was not the case, the Deck OLED feels like regular old OLED to me. So no idea what that was about...

Podcasts and review videos push content now days for the clicks for the advertisement that pays for their lunch, no different than old television tech review shows, so a video or podcast milking views acting that they are the beholder of some enchanted wisdom, I miss "The Critic" animation.

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

OLED seems rather overhyped to me in general.

Originally posted by Trading McGone™:

I listened to a podcast where people made ludicrous claims.
It helps to read, then you don't need to suspect

CRT were the best natural light monitor, after my CRT eventually lost all color got the hyped new tech LED, still feels like staring into a headlight.

How is the Oled outdoors on a bright day, as I use my deck while walking for the dog? Many games get dark in places and unplayable, case Mini Ninjas worked great outside, apart from the night-level, which had to complete indoors.

[Schorsch Wadschinken]

The OLED model is certainly a lot better outdoors as it can get much brighter, 1k nits I believe

[Jcee]

tbh i wish it came with a resolution bump (atleast at the premium tier) to 1440p
Yes most games wouldnt be able to utilize it, especially at 90hz, but that doesn't mean it cant default to 720p for those games, and really shine with less demanding content like movies, or old games.

Speaking of; it would be quite nice if they added a media tab to the steam OS, that had a media player, the browser, and 3rd party providers like netflix, or spotify (with options to run music in the background for games, and if im being really greedy, the ability to detect ingame dialogs and automatically adjust music volume to keep said dialogs understandable.)