LogInAccording to a Steam Deck developer, "there's a lot more to swapping out a screen than just… swapping out a screen."
Numerous gamers have been wondering about potential upgrades for the successful Steam Deck, with the OLED screen being one of the most highly anticipated additions. However, it appears that replacing the current screen with an OLED may not be a straightforward process.
Speaking to PC Gamer, Steam Deck developer Pierre-Lou Griffais shared that Valve acknowledges the constraints of the current technology used in the Deck's screen and aims to enhance it in the future but explained that "there's a lot more to swapping out a screen than just… swapping out a screen."
Griffais clarified that the screen is a critical element that the device is constructed around, and as a result, replacing it demands considerable effort and resources. According to him, this procedure might be more intricate than some may suggest due to the interdependence of the device's components.
"I don't think we're discounting anything. But the idea that you could just swap in a new screen and be done – it would need more than that to be doable," he said.
During the design of the Steam Deck, Valve prioritized the flexibility of the LCD panel, with particular emphasis on the ability to dim the backlight for comfortable low-light gaming and adjust the refresh rate to extend battery life. According to Griffais, it should be possible to achieve these features on an OLED screen as well, but it would require some specific configurations.
Valve has not yet confirmed its future plans regarding the next Steam Deck so remains to be seen if the portable PC will receive an incremental upgrade, like the OLED Nintendo Switch, or a complete rebuild with better specifications.
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