Hi!

I just received my Steam Deck OLED and love it. However, I had a question for folks who are more knowledgeable about display technology than I am. Would it be theoretically be possible to add VRR to the Steam Deck’s display through a software update?

Both the original LCD Deck (from 40-60hz) and the OLED Deck (from 30-90hz) are capable of having their refresh rates switch changed across between a wide range refresh rates, so I figure it should be theorhetically be possible through a software update to have the refresh rate update on the fly automatically to match the frame rate of the game being played. I know on Digital Foundry, who presumably know a lot more about display technology then I do, mentioned that the only thing missing from the Steam Deck OLED is VRR, but briefly questioned whether it could be added through a software update. However, I’m by no means an expert with display technologies so I realize I might be completely off-base here.

However, if it were possible, I think that would be the cherry on top for the OLED. I have a VRR monitor that I sometimes play my Steam Deck on and it can be sometimes transformative for games, particularly open world games. For example, on my Steam Deck OLED Batman Arkham Knights benchmark test at a mix of high and medium settings averages at above 60 FPS. However, because it can dip into the 40s and even 30s when moving around the open world, so for the best experience I have cap the frame rate at 40 FPS. However, on my VRR capable monitor, I am largely getting a 50+ or 60+FPS experience while playing. I do recognize that in portable play, it doesn’t makes sense to use VRR all the time as it use up the battery a lot quicker than if you cap the frame rate, but it still would be an amazing feature to have.