If you look at the 3 console manufacturers, you’ll notice a pattern. Switch OLED was announced 3 months before release. Ps4 pro was announced 2 months before its release. Xbox one x was announced 5 months before release.

The steam deck OLED? 7 days

The reason that manufacturers give consumers at least a couple months before a release of a new device is so they can feel they made an informed decision on their purchase, and not feel burned when the next iteration is released. No, the device they currently have doesn’t lose inherent value to them. However, knowing that the next thing is coming out in just a couple weeks could make informed consumers hold off for the sale of the now outdated model.

Also inb4 people say “but it’s not a console…”, PC manufacturers have pretty consistent hardware release schedules as well, so the comparison stands.

The fact is this is an established norm for other manufacturers and that valve went against just comes across as anti consumer. And I think that just surprised a lot of people since Gabe’s whole “piracy is almost always a service problem…” Take and the return policy on games make the company appear as super consumer centric, however this release feels out of character.

  • coolio9876@alien.topBEnglish
    1·
    1 year ago

    Someone on Youtube compiled a full list of differences:

    • Larger, now OLED screen (smaller bezels)
    • Brighter screen (1000 nits vs 400 nits)
    • HDR screen (110% P3 color gamut vs old 60%)
    • 90Hz (vs old 60Hz. Can display 30 more FPS for a smoother viewing experience)
    • Better touch responsiveness (180Hz touch polling rate)
    • < 0.1 ms response time
    • Dual ambient light sensors (for better auto brightness)
    • new 50Wh battery (upgraded from 40Wh. 30-50% more battery life)
    • Faster charging
    • Longer charging cable (2.5m vs 1.5m)
    • Easier to repair
    • Nicer case with the terabyte premium models
    • Wi-Fi 6E
    • Better thermals (bigger heat sink & fan. Quieter & cooler)
    • HD haptics
    • Dedicated Bluetooth 5.3 antenna for better connectivity with other devices (also supports connecting more)
    • Added support for wake from Bluetooth controller
    • Faster RAM
    • Redesigned custom AMD chip to be 6nm instead of 7nm (more power efficient)
    • Joysticks are more grippy
    • Shoulder buttons redesigned to be more durable & less prone to damage from drops- wish I had that…
    • 30 grams lighter
    • Even better speakers (new DSP chip to help improve sound quality & clarity)
    • Still compatible with old 3rd party accessories

    Feels substantial enough for me to understand why people are annoyed who bought it recently when you consider they paid a similar price for what is pretty objectively an inferior product with not enough time to feel like they actually got any milage out of said product. In a way I find it ironic that they did a good thing by keeping the price of the new product down low, but that is the same factor that makes people who just bought the old one feel like they’ve been ripped off.

    • _Ship00pi_@alien.topBEnglish
      1·
      1 year ago

      Really comes down to personal preference. While this is a nice long list of improvements. At the end of the day I compare my experience with one deck vs another. And what I can see as a perceivable difference.

      For me it looks like Switch vs Switch OLED. And as much as the OLED screen looks nice, I never thought about upgrading my switch.