I currently have the 512GB model, with a 2TB SSD in it. I’m looking at upgrading to an OLED chiefly for the better battery and temps. I’d replace its internal SSD with my currently existing one, so the storage doesn’t factor into my decision. What I do need is to understand the differences between the screens when it comes to my use case.
Here’s what I do understand:
- the cheaper, non-etched glass screen reportedly shows off the OLED’s strengths a bit better
- etched glass helps with light reflections (outside, under harsh lights, etc)
- etched glass is generally a bit better at preventing reflections in dark environments (e.g. screen goes black, you see your face staring back at yourself).
What I don’t get is how screen protectors interact with these two screens. My 512GB has a dbrand screen protector on it, for my own peace of mind, and I believe that gets rid of some of the anti-glare property. Almost 100% of the time on my deck, I’m in bed in the dark, and I’ve never noticed my face staring back at me on a black screen, but I actively looked today and noticed.
Bearing in mind that I almost definitely will apply a screen protector to the OLED, and that most of the time I’m playing in a dark room, which of the two screens will be best for me? Are there certain types of screen protector that are better suited to etched and non-etched glass / gloss or non-gloss?
Thanks!
I would never replace the storage myself on a device. That’s why i want the larger storage out of the box. I use my etched steamdeck original daily. It absolutely is not blurry lol. The screen looks great, and its just LCD. It will be even better with oled. How much this is being blown out of proportion is crazy. You get a lot of benefits with etched - more storage, anti glare, freedom to play anywhere, more durable screen, most premium model. with the one tradeoff of BARELY noticable color downgrade. You would think from all these comments that the etched glass makes games unplayable. I played my deck yesterday. First in the living room with all the lights on. My son was playing his oled switch. My screen was perfect, his was filled with glare. then i played later in the dark, and my screen looked excellent. Once you get the device, you are never going to notice or care about a tiny downgrade in screen brightness or blacks. But you will notice the glare, the ability to play anywhere anytime, and the fact that the etched is so durable the screen will not scratch. If someone wants to buy the cheaper model because of the savings, then that makes sense. But trying to twist this argument into saying that glossy version is a better device is simply untrue. When i’m traveling or going anywhere, i dont have to give it a second thought about my lighting environments. It’s a portable device, thats why Valve chose to put etched on their top model. Anyone with the glossy has to plan and think about how to make it work when they play in different light environments. In the end, the obsession over making the screen look 5% better, is going to be such a moot point compared to all the benefits of etched.
I intentionally opted for the glossy display this time and I received my OLED deck earlier today. It is simply stunning! The deep inky blacks, omg! OLED displays are glossy throughout the tech industry for a reason. I have owned an etched LCD Deck too and my buddy’s with a glossy screen was sporting a greater clarity. The benefits of the etched model are quite exaggerated as someone, coming from someone owns both. Reflections won’t bother you in bright indoor settings like airports. They will bother you in sunlight, but I never play outdoors and even etched Deck won’t be ideal to play under the sun.
I would recommend against an etched display.