We received both screen types last night, an LE and a 512. Played with both next to each other for 2 hours in varying light. There is no truly perceivable difference in my opinion, both look amazing. The etched just handles reflections better. Both are amazing and no one should feel like they’re getting a worse version. After actually seeing and using both next to each other I think it’s just a shame this became such a controversy. My advice is just get whatever version you like. If you think the LE looks cool and can afford it, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. And the 512 is equally beautiful - I really like the black analog stems.
it's so dumb, it's like HiFi cabling bell wire vs gold wire rolled between the thighs of angels....it makes little if any real concrete measurable difference to the limited wet ware in our heads.
@@eagle_rb_mmoomin_418It DEFINITELY is not to that level but alright lol For many though yeah, the screen thing wont make too much difference. But having both units in front of me too, yeah the 512 definitely looks better for my use case (mostly playing at home in my den, not very brightly lit room when im gaming). I say it wont matter to most buying a Steam Deck though, because most of the demographic who bought a Steam Deck in 2022 didn't care much about how awful that screen was. Truly a terrible screen that somehow was worse than tablet screens pre 2015. Many who loved the SD put up with it just fine though. If THAT didnt bother you much, then this glossy vs etched glass discussion really just does not apply to you I'm sorry lol. You'll be happy either way (and Im jealous, as I wish I felt the same way, would save me a lot of $ in my life)
I like the way how u think brother. You're absolutely correct. I think they did beget with both screens on ťhen new model vs the paucity model screens. With the launch models there was a difference, but not a bad or significant one.
You can write that others are whining or appreciate that they have a specific fact to add about the device being reviewed, which may help potential buyers, even if not you personally, because you don't pay attention to that factor.@@MrOdaddy2011
I went for the glossy one, seems I would have been happy with either though. I only plan on playing old-ish games so this thing will be used for years to come!
I went with glossy/512. I always have a screen protector on everything so I figured Id want glossy as the actual panel even if I wanted a non reflective screen protector. I have a glossy screen protector, but I may try a non reflective at some point. I also figure that if I am okay using a glossy cell phone screen, that the reflection issue is probably not a huge deal.
I think it's EXTREMELY close. I do think I like the etched glass because it adds a small amount of organic anti aliasing which is nice on an 800p screen
@@jc74435 that is effectively what anti aliasing is, blending and effectively blurring neighboring pixels on edges... very effective when you have a low pixel count and trust me, when you have the 800p deck screen next to a 1080p ally, its extremely noticeable how much better the AA is naturally on ally... if the etched glass has that effect it could be a positive.
Valid point. I do prefer the etched more from the macro perspective but imo you can always get blurrier with an etched screen protector but never truly sharper. I mean sure you can add a glossy screen protector but it won’t be as sharp as the non etched. It’s also cheaper so that’s another big reason to go that route vs the other way around😅
Honestly, I haven't played in direct light or under the sun since the Gameboy Color days when it was the best way to play. Once more and more devices became backlit, I haven't played that way since. So the etch glass model is paying for a feature I don't need and have zero plans to ever use. So the 512 gloss finish for me, but it's great that they offer that feature for those who may want or need that feature.
I guess the next thing to do is put a glossy screen protector on the 1 TB version and compare, then switch it up with an anti-reflective screen protector on the 512 GB version and see how that compares to the etched 1 TB.
it shouldn't work right... logic tells us that if its matt underneath then adding a glossy screen protector shouldn't change the properties of whats underneath it, but i think it does because the screen protector kind of acts like a magnifying glass. it would be an interesting comparison.
@@jinx20001 The way I see it, the adhesive on a protector fills in the rough surface of the etched glass which then hinders its ability to diffuse light. I assume that it will look no different than the glossy screen.
@@MAKExEVIL that could well be it, either way we have already seen the results and yeh the screen protector does noticeably reduce the effect of etching.
I’m so glad I finally found someone comparing the SD OLED models to the switch OLED. I love my switch OLED and I’ve been leaning toward the 512GB SD model so seeing your video comparison has helped a ton!
I am glad I ordered the 1TB etched. I was starting to get worried with all the hubbub, but this shows what I assumed. Face reflections would make me way more upset than minor diffusion over black areas that I barely notice - the OLED screen is a huge upgrade from my 64gb anyway, and I am not an OLED contrast snob. Plus, as you and Taki Udon pointed out, if I put a screen protector on it'll do almost the same thing so I have options. Can't wait til my new Deck gets here tomorrow!
@CJP.-pq3kr No cope here bud. Never owned an OLED, can't stand face reflections, and objectively better than what I have. I'll be perfectly happy in my use case. I just appreciate Russ taking the time to help others out who are more choosy.
I got the 1TB oled and put a Jsaux glossy screen protector on it and it turns the screen Glossy I didn't think about it untill it was installed so yea if you don't like the etched screen just do what I did.
I almost cancelled my 1tb version because of this whole thing, but I watched another review that says in the dark it doesn’t change much (where I play primarily). But I like the option of anti glare in other situations.
going for 512 means you have the option to add etched or increase the storage. switch oled is a great reference for deciding because youtube compression is dogshit
@@NoradNoxtus no complaints with matte screen personally. Rather not expand myself minus another tb of micro sd. My switch oled looks great and so does the 1tb oled steamdeck. Your mileage may vary. It is too slight to care personally.plus the matte screen just looks sharp.
I prefer etched glass because i can barely tell the difference between the two in the ideal glossy screen environment, while during the day i notice the pros of the etched glass a lot.
Glad I got the glossy, even though reflections/glare can be annoying at times the extra little bit that comes from the glossy goes a long way. Even though it’s the same resolution the new screen really feels like a graphical step up from the old one
This issue has been overblown. Get the etched if you need it, you use it in dark and bright environments, get the glossy if u don't need it, and want to save money. You can also get a anti-glare screen protector like I did for my LCDeck which works well. you aren't going to notice the difference like retro is zooming 10x into the screen to spot the difference
For sure, I call this the "Costco effect". When you're sitting there at the store all of the TVs have slight differences, but if you put any of them in your living room they will look great.
The 1tb I recently got had a slight blur due to the anti glare. It was just enough to cause eye strain. My LCD cheap one I upgraded didn't have that issue and when I played on the OLED 512 that my buddy got I noticed a crisper picture and no eye strain.
Just throwing my 2 cents out there. I snagged a limited edition and have been playing my deck non stop. I have an OLED monitor that's glossy so I do have some reference. The etched glass is truly a no issue for me. Everything is sharp. Colors are great. Blacks are perfect. No issues on my end. Played indoors and outdoors in varying lighting conditions and no issues. Probably the biggest upside though is that it naturally tends to hide fingerprints.
Finally a good comparison between the two models, thanks! I just wonder if using a glossy screen protector on the 1TB SD has the same effect as using an original glossy screen on the 512GB SD.
The limited edition only came with the etched glass so it wasn’t even an option for me, there was no way I’d was going to turn down that amazing design
The reg 1tb oled also comes with it thats what i jus got to replace my 512 jus got 3 months ago fml lol sellin it to a friend tho so it's whatever also financed it so ye lol
if you're super concerned one good thing is for probably $100 you will probably be able to buy a replacement screen once Valve stocks ifixit with new parts
I have just updated my 512gb LCD Steam Deck and the video convinced me I am good with that for now. I was actually surprised how well my model held up in comparison it obviously doesn't look as good as the Oleds but it's good enough to not feel the need to upgrade.
i just did the same and played a little with the colors and i think i am fine with the colors now. sense the oled version is not available in my country i was willing to overpay and buy it from ebay , but now i feel that i don't really need it anymore , because after all the games that you play are what makes the experience.
@@shhyeehaha if there are an input lag then i haven't noticed any and i never liked HDR because how dark and dull it makes the game look. i have device with good oled screen and in some games for e.g : gta vice city the colors are just too much and it looks unrealistic to me, so I'm actually prefer the lcd screen in those cases. but i do appreciate the bigger screen and the refresh rate that oled offers and at some point i will get me the oled version but i don't feel rushed anymore.
Yeah, I just received the 1TB yesterday but seeing another YT comparison I noticed the 512GB is a bit sharper. So I purchased the 512GB model Wednesday and put a return claim in on the 1TB model. I'll only use it in a dark room, so refections wont be a concern. However, I'll have to manage the storage better, or install a larger internal ssd in the near future. I just wished Valve offered up both panels with 1TB options. Both models have pros and cons obviously, its just a matter of preference. That was a supetb comparison, btw! Thank you 👍
@coreys6072 Absolutely love it! That glossy oled screen with hdr as well, is a game changer. I have the Legion Go and Ally as well, but I'm probably returning both as the SD Oled is near perfect. Unless I need either for pc ultimate gaming, then I'll keep one of those Windows handhelds as well.
@@poedottaviano6924 you just sold me on the 512 model then. I was thinking 1tb would be good but the screen is a major downside. I want glossy so colors pop. Thank you!
I loved this video but can’t agree with the matte/glossy screen take at all. I’m sitting in front of both and see no difference in normal or lower lighting conditions at all. I’ve been hunting for hours and just can’t find a scenario where one is better than the other. In brighter light the etched gets the advantage of some diffusion at the cost of a little vibrancy, making things playable without distraction. A nice bonus. But outside of the bright environment scenario, it almost feels like a disservice to tell people there is a noticeable difference. Unless there is just unit to unit variance and you got a mediocre etched unit, I can confidently say that these things are exactly the same in color, vibrancy, and black performance in normal lighting. And if you need a 10x macro to find subtle differences we’re wasting time.
Not sure why people are making such a big deal about reflections on the glossy version. The Switch OLED screen is glossy and reflective as hell and everybody has just great things to say about the display and how the colors pop. Literally nobody cares about the reflections. Valve just introduced confusion by even adding an etched glass option.
Oh my god preach!!! I couldnt agree with you more. Glossy oled screens on all models wouldve been perfectly fine but they wanted to justify the price increase. It just created bs on youtube. I have the 512 non etched. Whats really messing with me mentally is le orange accents. I want it bad.
I want the glossy Steam Deck because I want to have a screen protector on it and You kinda ruin the etched glass one if you put a screen protector on it
Thank you so much, Russ! I value your opinion so much more than that of a certain other big UA-cam channel with the three capital letters… Once again you prove why that’s the case.
Man… at 8:03 you said that you are not seeing any difference with light turned off and at 13:59 you are saying that glossy panel really pops when playing at night.
Great video, thank you for doing this comparison. It's such a bummer knowing that if you want the most crisp picture you have to get the 512GB OLED model. I'm about to pull the trigger on a purchase but really want 1TB of storage. Really wish they would give you a screen option because changing out the storage isn't something I am comfortable with.
I'm glad you compared the LCD screen with boosted contrast vs the OLED. Now I have less FOMO. I may still end up getting the glossy OLED but now I don't feel rushed.
in fairness the LCD deck is amazing as it is, the fact valve just keep improving it is nuts, the software experience is still the best available on a handheld so i dont think anybody should feel like they need to upgrade... shit steam deck is so good i just decided to sell my ally and buy the OLED deck even though i already have the LCD deck to.
Yeah I just bought an lcd instead of the oled cause the oled is almost double the price and I don’t wanna spend an extra 300 for a better screen + extra battery
@@ninjason57 well dont get me wrong the ally is a good system, i have had it since day 1 and lived with it almost exclusively as a handheld since with my deck not getting a look in... but thats not for the reason most people would expect, power right... the power didnt really have a meaningful effect on me, AAA games still run poorly no matter what handheld you have, they are just not where they need to be for that in my opinion. The main reason i chose to use ally was because i seen it as a better gaming experience when gaming, nicer display to look at, better speakers and it was just a new toy so i tried to love it like we all do with new things. Now that the deck has an OLED display i think it just offers that next step over LCD, i use a LG C1 oled on my pc so i know the benefits and that in a handheld... well excellent... but all the other things on top of that just sealed the deal for me, battery life, new analogue sticks, improvements to touch pads etc it just makes the deck really refined. sorry know its a long one. On top of all that i have had issues with my ally, the sticks are quite bad, when rotating them they click now and then and i found that i needed to take them out and put tape around the step so the caps fit better. Then some games are just unplayable on ally like battlebit wheras on deck its pretty good even though it has no controller support because of the community made deck setups, so you get gyro etc. Everything is just nicer on deck ya know so power aside im struggling to see a downside to the deck besides outright game support outside of steam and ofcourse no VRR... really liked VRR but the decks Vsync setup is pretty special to.
This is EXACTLY the video I wanted! My personal preference is getting the glossy one and putting on an AR film, so it looks more like an LG OLED TV for example, keeping that glossy finish for colors and black levels but getting lower reflection levels than the stock etched model could ever achieve (all models have the same reflectivity, the etched one is just more diffused :P) + this video looks AMAZING, I wish you uploaded in 4K more often ;)
1 big thing that gets left out is if you get headaches easy having the bright light oh the glossy could be a deal breaker as why u dont want it. I get headaches easy nowadaya after a injury i had years ago so anti glare can be useful for me
I don’t particularly mind the whole ‘diffusing the contrast of the blackness of OLED’ thing. My main issue with etched displays is that I don’t enjoy how they make pixels themselves look, and they create a very minor fuzziness that I personally despise. Glad to know that for the vast majority it’s a complete non-issue and that Valve has done a fantastic job here!
Guys the Steam Deck OLED is so awesome I don't regret getting it despite having the previous 512GB flagship Steam Deck LCD already. This new OLED one is noticeably much lighter as soon as I picked it up. The joysticks and buttons also feels better also when gaming. Don't pay too much attention to etched vs. glossy. They are both just as good. I got the Limited Edition not coz of the etched screen but coz of the overall look and 1TB SSD. I also have put a clear glossy screen protector on it not coz I specifically prefer glossy but coz I simply want to protect the screen from scratches. Overall, the new OLED Steam Deck is definitely the definitive edition that should have been released back then. While minor, most things has been upgraded. This just gives me more confidence on Valve how great the future Steam Deck 2 would be! 😁
i think the positives outweigh the negatives of the etched glass, less reflection near a window or in sunlight is a plus, less fingerprint magnet prone another positive, The oled pixels still behave like oled pixels so blacks switch off, the pixels still change color at light speed so almost zero ghosting or smearing... i will say however, im saying this because i ordered a 1tb and im now slightly pissed off, so take that into consideration :) Im going with if valve says its better, its better... i would like to see somebody drop test them, i know thats a big ask but i wonder if the etched glass has other properties that bring other advantages, is it more scratch resistant for example, i guess i should ask jerryrig this one.
but what about screen protectors, i just got my 512 and i was wondering about this whole etched vs glossy thing... but when you think it's safer to put a screen protector anyway.. how it would work on etched? to keep the anti-glare you put another ant-glare protector? is that going to get the image worse? or in the case of glossy protectors, the etched underneath is going to influence the experience or not? on the other side put a glossy protector on glossy screen should keep the glossy characteristics, and an etched one will be good enough as the 1TB etched screen? I think the whole screen protector thing is a lot important and this video without this consideration loses something
If you play a lot of text heavy games or pixel graphics games then I recommend glossy. You'll never notice the clarity difference on 3D/AAA games, but if you play games like Divinity 2 or Octopath, etc., you're going to notice it and the clarity of the glossy screen will be beneficial.
That's why after using many gaming monitors I choose to stay with LG C3 GLOSSY OLED for now and the image is MINDOWING - the MOST THING THAT MATTERS when choosing a display no matter the size is 1. PPI. GLOSSY or NOT/ REFRESH, FEATURES !
The only time you will see the difference is not with a macro lens close up but when you look at it from further away with scenes with a lot of bright sections, the brighter and the more contrasty the better, meaning go HDR. You will see the bright spots will bloom noticeably more than the non etched one. Though i don’t think its a deal breaker either way. Imo it’s cheaper to add the blurriness/ matte effect after the fact with a screen protector. You can always go blurrier but never sharper.
Thanks for this. I'm a matte finish guy, but I'll typically be in a controlled lighting situation like you discussed, and would rather have the pop -- especially on text as you mentioned as well. Thanks again.
Ive been wanting a steam deck since they were announced and my friend got me an oled for Christmas im so excited! Been chasing that high quality gaming on the go since the psp! Never even seen an oled screen before, those colors are gonna pop!
Thank you very much for this video. Great as usual, was waiting for it 🙂 Unfortunately, it didn't help with my decision. I do have an OG 512 etched and an upgraded 64 glossy (from the sale). When on the couch in the evening, I also prefer the glossy LCD one. It somehow, subjectively, looks better to me. When I'm on train (long business trips), sitting at the window, well... And I would like to have the double case. And having 1 TB already without having to open it, for just 100 more is also attractive. 🤔 So... I'll postpone the decision and stay with my LCD-ones for the time being.
Did you check if the screens are from BOE or samsung? I read that the samsung panels have a slightly different subpixel arrangement than the BOE panels, which makes the image slightly grainier.
So ... basically ... if you have to take macroshots in order to make slight differences visible ... than Valve did an awesome job and it's no longer a question if the glare or non-glare display is better or not 😎 It only comes down to price, storage and if you need a non-glare display or not. Thanks for this comparison! Helped me a lot.
To be fair, he said the macro shots didn't show him much, but the naked eye test was obvious (to him). Seeing them side by side he had a very clear and distinguishable preference that he noticed.
I think the difference is not huge and I could hardly see it. I went etched glass like I did last time and I am very happy with it. I have a switch OLED, but do not take it with me on the go or traveling as much because of how much I hate the glare. Going from a LCD 512 to the 1tb LE OLED and it was a massive upgrade display wise.
I bought the LE but didn't open it. I was afraid of how the etched screen would not work for me. Russ, I don't know how you got into my brain but your comment about sharpness of text was what pushed me over the edge. I thought Taki did a good job showing the differences but without seeing seeing your impression i still had questions. I ordered my 512 and waiting on customer service to send me a return label for the LE. I really, really appreciated this video. Thank you
@@itsdtxjd returned it? In the comments you posted in like TEN other videos you said you'd given it to "your girlfriend"; sounds like you're just a shill.
@@CJP.-pq3kr By "stalking" do you mean "checking out different videos to find which Steam Deck to buy and seeing the same morons spamming about the glossy steamdeck in a creepy, cult-like fashion"?
@@Freezorgium - so embarrassing that I caught you doing what you claimed I was: spamming the same kind of comment. You weirdos are always guilty of what you accuse others 😂
My phone is glossy, my iPad is glossy, the LCD on my Sony cameras are glossy, my OLED TV is glossy, my Switch is Glossy, my old Gameboy is glossy too and all my handhelds and all my iPhones I have ever had were glossy. I never had a problem with any of them so I am not sure why suddenly there is a problem with the Steam Deck. Glossy for me...
Hey, thanks for the great video. I got the 512GB and wasn't sure if they had fixed the matte finish looking fuzzy (as I could also easily see the difference on the LCD model). I wish they would offer the LE at some point with a glossy screen, and like you said that anti-glare magic the ROG Ally has. Appreciate the hard work 👍
can you make a video about the severe mura effect the steam deck oled with a samsung panel has? if you need help noticing it, download the demo of the game Inside in oled deck and run it side by side with a device with a different panel. you would immediately notice how grainy and greenish the black sillouettes are on the oled deck. however, pure blacks are unaffected once you notice it, it's impossible to not notice it anymore on other games. it's like having a perpetual film grain on the screen
@@arshtat Hey, I looked into this a good bit tonight. I do slightly see it, but it doesn't look as bad as what I've seen online. I'm thinking there are variations between even just the Samsung panels. I loaded up Inside, as well as Skyrim and Deadspace. It was most noticeable in the game Inside. I really didn't see it at all in darker scenes in both Skyrim, Dead Space and other games I've played. I wish I had an LE now to be able to test the panel differences. I also saw a guy that tested the touch sensitivity and the Samsung panel seems to be faster than the LE. I am pretty picky with screens and didn't see this at all till you mentioned it. And even now it's so slight it won't bother me. But I do think there could be some serious variations in the panels themselves.
What if you just put a glossy screen protector on the 1tb model? I wanted the 512gb model but felt compelled to get the limited edition. Seems as though those slight differences would go away but then again the screen protector might just introduce new issues.
I did this in my previous OLED videos, and it was a lose-lose situation. The glossy screen protector retained the haze from an etched glass screen, but also made it reflective.
Glossy is the way to go for me! My tv is a glossy LG GX, my Nintendo Switch OLED is glossy, my computer monitor is a glossy Alienware QD-OLED, and now I will have the glossy Steam Deck OLED!
You're really making great videos. As one of the many Steam Deck OLED customers I wanted to know if there is really something about the displays between the 512 GB OLED and 1 TB OLED. My feelings already told me to go for the 1 TB version and Ive ordered it. Thank you for the video!
Honestly ill take the softer less aliased etched version anyday. I feel like every game i always have the antialiasing up a lot or even maxed and this just takes some of that burden off of processing
Pause at 7:59 look at the top 1TB oled and then look at the bottom 512gb oled, notice at the top center in between the blue triangle , you can see on the bottom a lot of extra detail that is completely gone on the top etched screen. Also look at the purple bug with legs on the top left and you can see how on the glossy screen it has more detail on it that is almost gone on the etched screen. Zoom in on your phone and you can see how much blurrier the 1TB looks compared to the 512gb glossy screen.
Its just because the camera have the focus on the middle of the screen. Look at the text-menu at the button on the glossy one, at the words "Steam" "Menu" "select" "back" those words are much more blurry on the glossy one and on the 1TB model they are much more clear and sharp. Its just the camera focus.
Something I've noticed with my etched glass 512GB LCD and 1TB OLED Steam Decks, is that the diffused colors go away when I put on a glossy glass screen protector on them. They look identical to the glossy Steam Deck my friend has. It would be interesting if you could do that for future videos, and say your opinions on that experience.
The original Deck pixel pattern is V-BGR (vertical, because it's a vertical panel turned sideways). Can anyone confirm what is the OLED's pixel pattern? I'm having a bit of a hard time identifying it from the video footage.
Allegedly it is not sideway this time. Can pattern be deduced from makro shots? Edges from left to right are red - green. Or is that just mismatched settings
@@damianabregba7476 with a close enough macro yes, I've done it before. Not being a tilted panel would be a first in these larger handhelds I believe. It's good news for my specific use case of CRT filters that rely on pixel structure (like CRT Royale or Guest).
Are you able to put on an anti glare screen protector on the 512 and compare with the 1tb? Is it as effective at reducing reflections? I really wish Valve just let you choose what type of panel you get at each size 😕
Already bought the 512GB model but this solidifies my opinion. I've seen other creators saying that there is no difference at all in sharpness and that the etched one is just better but I simply couldn't believe it and have no way to confirm it myself so this really is the video I needed!
@@Inphenitee Probably. I cannot compare the 2 but I have dealt with etched screens before and I always noticed the lack of perfect sharpness and a slight but noticible difference in clarity I guess? Nitidity? Don't really know how to describe it but this review is the closest I've seen to my limited experience with etched glass so I'll gladly use it to reinforce my beliefs and be happier with my purchase lol Not saying the difference would be huge but just that, for me, I'm sure glossy is the best choice even if by the slightest margin.
Are the pictures mixed up at 10:00 ? The bottom picture looks a little bit more washed out and I would expect that from the LCD model not the 512 OLED. maybe I'm seeing things or it's a camera angle difference?
My 512GB is arriving Saturday and after much thought and viewing Taki Udon's comparison I placed an order for the LE today and will be sending one back. I have Samsung G9 Neo Dual 4K and I really appreciate the matte surface as I have a bright living room, wven though the matte is visible and degrades the image, before that I couldnt stand how reflective my Alienware M18x R2 glossy display was and eventually removed the protective outer layer altogether so it was just the unprotected LCD layer! Like you I mostly use my Deck in bed at night where I can control the light, but if I ever travel or want to play in my bright living room Im going to wish i opted for etched.
I was really looking forward to your video with this comparison. I made the decision to get the 512 GB model based on exactly the points you made and your video confirms this. Thank you! I just received my 512 GB model yesterday and absolutely love the display.
Thanks for the really detailed comparison. I travel a lot, so the 1TB may be better, especially so the screen doesn't scratch (i've heard the etched is more resistant to scratching). I rarely play at home, and play more often at work during downtime, in public spaces and transportation (airports, uber, trains, airplanes), so the 1TB is probably better for my usage.
Can you do a Grips video for Switch? I have a hard time holding the thin console while reclining outside. Wish Steam Deck focused on bigger better joysticks. Are those trackpads useful in more than 10 percent of the time? Love my Miyoo Mini Plus 2 and my Anbernic 53xx? Both so similar. Bernie is larger and easier to hold. Miyoo so pocketable, able to bring to formal functions and pop it out of the pocket, such a show stopper, don't even need to turn it on. Love your channel. Maybe reach out to the vr makers and get them to send you every one for free, then do a where is vr today video, as it seems it is still a very new and undeveloped thing. We have great hardware, but lets face it, if our favorite software is twenty years old, maybe we are missing some creativity in our corporate society at present.
Thanks for actually giving clear observations and admitting there are differences unlike that terrible waste of time taki udon video. You could tell he didn’t want to piss valve off and say either has an advantage because valve did just send him two free steamdecks. Only thing I didn’t like about this video was that a drink and snack were not permitted 😢
Hey Retro Game Corps, first off love the content it’s helped me both make my choices and be prepared for the best setup process for emulation etc. I’ve scoured your videos and I’d like to see a recommended accessories for the steam OLED. Particularly I’m trying to find a screen protector for the 1TB model among other great recommended accessories.
I personaly would never play under a direct light source with or without an etched screen. I am getting the 512 GB OLED model. you can always upgrade to 1 TB for less than 100 bucks or even to 2 TB if you like or need to and for a few bucks you can always get a matte screen protector if you wish, that is removable. Happy gaming!
I would still prefer the anti glare one. I have a tablet that has very reflective display, and I really hate that part. I always have to think of how I will position it when I use it. will there be a light fixture that would show on the display, will there be a window... and honestly those relaxions can bring headaches because of how they irritate the eyes. so yeah, from the original models I went with the antireflective screen, and if i were to buy the oled model, i would still get the antireflective model. i'm not really sure if i'm gonna buy it, since i rarely justify buying a revision, but this one has so many bonuses, that i'm considering it. the only reason i haven't really decided yet, is because i don't have much time to play anyway and i don't use my original deck that much, so i won't be using the new one much as well.
This video is incredible, thanks for the close up shots. It is so well made that I'm questioning my decision to get the LE. I firstly ordered the 512GB, then cancel and order the Limited Edition, and now I'm questioning if I should have stick to 512GB :(
Bro, I got both limited edition one terabyte and the 512 GB OLED and yeah just as I thought the glossy one looks better and I’m keeping that one returning the etched screen one.
🤦Taki Udon measured both a glossy and etched OLED as expected it made negligible difference. Yes in a bright reflective environment the etched will disperse the reflections more........but the glossy is so reflective, that at that point who cares. How many of us game in a studio with powerful lighting🤣🤣🤦
This is the video I was waiting for! Not to justify my 512 decision, but because I know that my preferences and reasoning often lines up with yours. I’m mainly a retro gaming enthusiast and at the end of the day this isn’t going to be the only handheld I use, so 512 will save me a bit of money and will look great. Very intrigued by the etched glass on an OLED though. I’d love to see on smaller handhelds that I take with me on the plane.
Thank you for making this video. When watching Taki’s video I figured he would say the etched screen is better because he prefers the etched (he has said so in previous videos). I am in your camp with the non etched, and I appreciate your subjective review. (Cause yours is an opinion I trust)
Or rather it is an opinion that confirms your bias? At the end of the day, we will always look to the opinions that are similar to our own, it is human nature. Either way, it is SteamOS that I love most about the SteamDecks.
so you didn't like what taki said because it didn't confirm your wrong opinion on the matter? i have the LE screen and it's just great. the lesser screen on the 512 wouldn't be better. sorry.
The older you are, the sharpness of the glosssy version is going to matter less. The more colorblind you are, the more good OLED matters. (On crappy screens, for me, some yelllows are white, and some purples and oranges are the same color).
I tested both the LE, with and without a screen protector, and 512gb OLED with a double blind test. Interesting results. I found the 512gb to be a bit more punchy and better looking, however, my wife couldn't tell the difference......until I pointed out the variations in colors when light hits the screen. She then noticed but didn't find it to be a big difference. BUT THEN, I put a screen protector on the LE and the difference I originally saw became MUCH less, and for my wife, it was also less. I also, through in the original 512gb with the etched screen and screen protector in the mix. My wife spotted the difference immediately as she was walking up to the screens. No surprise. The next day, I laid out all three of the devices in front of my friend, who is a gamer but has zero experience with the steam deck, and he could not see the difference between the two OLED models. Furthermore, I didn't tell him about the etched screens and protectors, i just laid them in front of him and asked which is the best screen. My verdict and the one I'm leaning towards keeping is the LE. I may be biased, bc I don't like etched screens, but I feel the 512gb OLED as a bit more punch and clarity vs the LE. Adding that screen protector really brought the two a lot closer together, but I still feel the 512gb wins. However, bc the difference is sooooo close with the screen protector on the LE, it's hard to give up the LE.
The glossy version to me is a no brainer. You have control over which way you want to go then. By that I mean if you get the glossy and it’s too reflective, you can just buy an anti glare screen protector and you are set. No more reflection. On the other hand, if you aren’t sure which way to go, same thing, you get the glossy model, throw an anti glare screen protector on it, and you can then decide if you like the AG or Gloss look better. If you like the AG, then you simply leave the screen protector on. If you don’t like it, you just rip the screen protector off (and replace with a gloss one if you want a screen protector on like I do). You have both options at your disposal. Once you get the etched glass, then you are locked into that look. 512gb gloss model for me all day.
i got the 512 and without thinking about it i ordered (and it arrived) a glossy protector too (a premium one also by spigen). I was thinking (yesterday that I was trying the device) the same things you wrote here and now I wish I would have ordered the anti-glare protectors just to try them 😅. With amazon I could return the glossy protector but I would have to pay the delivery fees i think. It's not the first time i read or heard impressions on favor of glossy like in this video, so maybe I could just stick to glossy. Once in game reflections are way less noticable unless of sudden black screens
@@Tonno7 if it makes you feel any better, I think you made the right choice getting the glossy protectors, unless you play in a lot of high/bright light environments (I.E. middle of the day, outside). If you are playing in reasonably light controlled environments such as indoors etc, then the glossy screen protector is the way to go IMO. Worse comes to worse, you could order an anti glare down the track if it is really playing on your mind and for the cost of less that $10 USD (if you just get a Jsaux one, which IMO are great), you’ll have your answer at to what you like better.
i feel like i want to get the the 1tb version in case i ever go outside and use it but deep down i know I'm never gonna go outside lol..
Loool real
lmao same, I kinda just want to play it in bed honestly
deep down lmao :D
I don't think I want to go around with $600 on my pockets; I'd rather use it exclusively for remote play
same, but in my case i use it a lot in the garden or balcony. and here the 1tb version is really useful.
@@n1lknarf Most people have 1000$ phones on them at all times
We received both screen types last night, an LE and a 512. Played with both next to each other for 2 hours in varying light. There is no truly perceivable difference in my opinion, both look amazing. The etched just handles reflections better. Both are amazing and no one should feel like they’re getting a worse version. After actually seeing and using both next to each other I think it’s just a shame this became such a controversy. My advice is just get whatever version you like. If you think the LE looks cool and can afford it, I guarantee you will not be disappointed. And the 512 is equally beautiful - I really like the black analog stems.
it's so dumb, it's like HiFi cabling bell wire vs gold wire rolled between the thighs of angels....it makes little if any real concrete measurable difference to the limited wet ware in our heads.
The only reason I want the etched glass is I am in my car in the sun a lot and I would like the one with the better reflection qualities 🤔
@@brewdog8568 yeah got one too, use my OG on planes a lot and that can generate a lot of reflections
@@eagle_rb_mmoomin_418It DEFINITELY is not to that level but alright lol
For many though yeah, the screen thing wont make too much difference. But having both units in front of me too, yeah the 512 definitely looks better for my use case (mostly playing at home in my den, not very brightly lit room when im gaming).
I say it wont matter to most buying a Steam Deck though, because most of the demographic who bought a Steam Deck in 2022 didn't care much about how awful that screen was. Truly a terrible screen that somehow was worse than tablet screens pre 2015. Many who loved the SD put up with it just fine though. If THAT didnt bother you much, then this glossy vs etched glass discussion really just does not apply to you I'm sorry lol. You'll be happy either way (and Im jealous, as I wish I felt the same way, would save me a lot of $ in my life)
I like the way how u think brother. You're absolutely correct. I think they did beget with both screens on ťhen new model vs the paucity model screens. With the launch models there was a difference, but not a bad or significant one.
There is something you didnt mention. Fingerprints. It's a touch screen so you do touch it and marks on glossy screen are much more visible.
Two trackpads and keyboard pops up everywhere yet you're complaining about finger prints? Keep coping
You can write that others are whining or appreciate that they have a specific fact to add about the device being reviewed, which may help potential buyers, even if not you personally, because you don't pay attention to that factor.@@MrOdaddy2011
@@MrOdaddy2011 dude what??? you telling me you never used the deck touch screen
clean it then...
@@MrOdaddy2011i don’t think you understand what coping means
Exact review I was looking for. Thank you👌🏼
I went for the glossy one, seems I would have been happy with either though. I only plan on playing old-ish games so this thing will be used for years to come!
You will love it. We have both screen types and basically every version of the SD OLED is fantastic. And you cannot beat the value of the 512 version.
I have the LCD one and its glossy and I have no problems If dirty with finger prints I clean it with a micro fiber.
I went with glossy/512. I always have a screen protector on everything so I figured Id want glossy as the actual panel even if I wanted a non reflective screen protector. I have a glossy screen protector, but I may try a non reflective at some point. I also figure that if I am okay using a glossy cell phone screen, that the reflection issue is probably not a huge deal.
I think it's EXTREMELY close. I do think I like the etched glass because it adds a small amount of organic anti aliasing which is nice on an 800p screen
Yeah - this is my takeaway too. it will make text less sharp - but a built in anti-alias effect should be welcome on a 7.4inch 800p screen.
You mean blurriness?
@@jc74435 that is effectively what anti aliasing is, blending and effectively blurring neighboring pixels on edges... very effective when you have a low pixel count and trust me, when you have the 800p deck screen next to a 1080p ally, its extremely noticeable how much better the AA is naturally on ally... if the etched glass has that effect it could be a positive.
@@jc74435For retro games, this stinks, I love my pixels! But for modern games on Steam, I'm sure it makes the image look less low quality!
Valid point. I do prefer the etched more from the macro perspective but imo you can always get blurrier with an etched screen protector but never truly sharper. I mean sure you can add a glossy screen protector but it won’t be as sharp as the non etched. It’s also cheaper so that’s another big reason to go that route vs the other way around😅
Honestly, I haven't played in direct light or under the sun since the Gameboy Color days when it was the best way to play. Once more and more devices became backlit, I haven't played that way since. So the etch glass model is paying for a feature I don't need and have zero plans to ever use. So the 512 gloss finish for me, but it's great that they offer that feature for those who may want or need that feature.
I guess the next thing to do is put a glossy screen protector on the 1 TB version and compare, then switch it up with an anti-reflective screen protector on the 512 GB version and see how that compares to the etched 1 TB.
it shouldn't work right... logic tells us that if its matt underneath then adding a glossy screen protector shouldn't change the properties of whats underneath it, but i think it does because the screen protector kind of acts like a magnifying glass. it would be an interesting comparison.
@@jinx20001 The way I see it, the adhesive on a protector fills in the rough surface of the etched glass which then hinders its ability to diffuse light. I assume that it will look no different than the glossy screen.
@@MAKExEVIL that could well be it, either way we have already seen the results and yeh the screen protector does noticeably reduce the effect of etching.
@@jinx20001 I just did it this morning. Added a glossy protector on my LE. It definitely cancels out the matte by a lot.
@@filmjkk good to know, I think I’ll opt to use one
I’m so glad I finally found someone comparing the SD OLED models to the switch OLED. I love my switch OLED and I’ve been leaning toward the 512GB SD model so seeing your video comparison has helped a ton!
I am glad I ordered the 1TB etched. I was starting to get worried with all the hubbub, but this shows what I assumed. Face reflections would make me way more upset than minor diffusion over black areas that I barely notice - the OLED screen is a huge upgrade from my 64gb anyway, and I am not an OLED contrast snob. Plus, as you and Taki Udon pointed out, if I put a screen protector on it'll do almost the same thing so I have options. Can't wait til my new Deck gets here tomorrow!
Coping off the charts 😂
@@CJP.-pq3kr
@@CJP.-pq3kr Coping what exactly? It's free returns and more expensive - an easy resolution if they wanted to "fix" it.
@CJP.-pq3kr No cope here bud. Never owned an OLED, can't stand face reflections, and objectively better than what I have. I'll be perfectly happy in my use case. I just appreciate Russ taking the time to help others out who are more choosy.
@@CJP.-pq3kr seems like you're coping dudette.
I got the 1TB oled and put a Jsaux glossy screen protector on it and it turns the screen Glossy I didn't think about it untill it was installed so yea if you don't like the etched screen just do what I did.
I almost cancelled my 1tb version because of this whole thing, but I watched another review that says in the dark it doesn’t change much (where I play primarily). But I like the option of anti glare in other situations.
going for 512 means you have the option to add etched or increase the storage. switch oled is a great reference for deciding because youtube compression is dogshit
@@NoradNoxtus no complaints with matte screen personally. Rather not expand myself minus another tb of micro sd. My switch oled looks great and so does the 1tb oled steamdeck. Your mileage may vary. It is too slight to care personally.plus the matte screen just looks sharp.
If you buy a gloss screen protector and out it on the etched glass is pretty much removes the anti glare @@NoradNoxtus
Or just add the screen protector which is what I did and is better than the original etched one.
@@saulg195 no complaints from me. Very happy with 1tb and never looked back
I prefer etched glass because i can barely tell the difference between the two in the ideal glossy screen environment, while during the day i notice the pros of the etched glass a lot.
Glad I got the glossy, even though reflections/glare can be annoying at times the extra little bit that comes from the glossy goes a long way. Even though it’s the same resolution the new screen really feels like a graphical step up from the old one
I have the LCD and the ROG Ally I will wait for the Steam Deck 2.
@@valg.3152you also have downs.
This issue has been overblown. Get the etched if you need it, you use it in dark and bright environments, get the glossy if u don't need it, and want to save money. You can also get a anti-glare screen protector like I did for my LCDeck which works well. you aren't going to notice the difference like retro is zooming 10x into the screen to spot the difference
For sure, I call this the "Costco effect". When you're sitting there at the store all of the TVs have slight differences, but if you put any of them in your living room they will look great.
@@RetroGameCorps very true!
The 1tb I recently got had a slight blur due to the anti glare. It was just enough to cause eye strain. My LCD cheap one I upgraded didn't have that issue and when I played on the OLED 512 that my buddy got I noticed a crisper picture and no eye strain.
Just throwing my 2 cents out there. I snagged a limited edition and have been playing my deck non stop. I have an OLED monitor that's glossy so I do have some reference. The etched glass is truly a no issue for me. Everything is sharp. Colors are great. Blacks are perfect. No issues on my end. Played indoors and outdoors in varying lighting conditions and no issues. Probably the biggest upside though is that it naturally tends to hide fingerprints.
Been loving my anti-glare OLED 1tb model since I play in bright rooms but I’m glad both options exist and both options are great!
Exactly! There is no bad version of the SD OLED. Whatever you get it’s awesome.
Can't decide to get the 512 or the 1tb..
And what about the 90hz vs the 60hz ? Which Games can you play with 90hz and is it worth the money ?
Finally a good comparison between the two models, thanks! I just wonder if using a glossy screen protector on the 1TB SD has the same effect as using an original glossy screen on the 512GB SD.
I'm also curious about this.
He stated in one of his previous videos that he thought that would work but he peeled it off after a week because it just made the haze glossy
The limited edition only came with the etched glass so it wasn’t even an option for me, there was no way I’d was going to turn down that amazing design
got any dead pixels?
The reg 1tb oled also comes with it thats what i jus got to replace my 512 jus got 3 months ago fml lol sellin it to a friend tho so it's whatever also financed it so ye lol
if you're super concerned one good thing is for probably $100 you will probably be able to buy a replacement screen once Valve stocks ifixit with new parts
@tarkhan15 more like 150 at least.
@@PrecisionAccwaiting on mine to arrive tomorrow. My ass is so tight rn 😬
9:06 this softness on the OLED models might be from the slightly larger display, therefore less PPI and ever so slightly less sharp
I have just updated my 512gb LCD Steam Deck and the video convinced me I am good with that for now. I was actually surprised how well my model held up in comparison it obviously doesn't look as good as the Oleds but it's good enough to not feel the need to upgrade.
i just did the same and played a little with the colors and i think i am fine with the colors now. sense the oled version is not available in my country i was willing to overpay and buy it from ebay , but now i feel that i don't really need it anymore , because after all the games that you play are what makes the experience.
except you play at at least 30-40% worse input lag , no hdr and no oled. if I were you I would throw my lcd to the closest garbage can I see
@shhyeehaha stop, it's not that bad
@@AlexRubio 🤷🏼♀️
@@shhyeehaha if there are an input lag then i haven't noticed any and i never liked HDR because how dark and dull it makes the game look. i have device with good oled screen and in some games for e.g : gta vice city the colors are just too much and it looks unrealistic to me, so I'm actually prefer the lcd screen in those cases.
but i do appreciate the bigger screen and the refresh rate that oled offers and at some point i will get me the oled version but i don't feel rushed anymore.
Yeah, I just received the 1TB yesterday but seeing another YT comparison I noticed the 512GB is a bit sharper.
So I purchased the 512GB model Wednesday and put a return claim in on the 1TB model.
I'll only use it in a dark room, so refections wont be a concern.
However, I'll have to manage the storage better, or install a larger internal ssd in the near future.
I just wished Valve offered up both panels with 1TB options.
Both models have pros and cons obviously, its just a matter of preference.
That was a supetb comparison, btw!
Thank you 👍
Same here
Imao 512 looks better🎉🎉🎉
how do you like your 512 model?
@coreys6072 Absolutely love it! That glossy oled screen with hdr as well, is a game changer. I have the Legion Go and Ally as well, but I'm probably returning both as the SD Oled is near perfect. Unless I need either for pc ultimate gaming, then I'll keep one of those Windows handhelds as well.
@@poedottaviano6924 you just sold me on the 512 model then. I was thinking 1tb would be good but the screen is a major downside. I want glossy so colors pop. Thank you!
I loved this video but can’t agree with the matte/glossy screen take at all. I’m sitting in front of both and see no difference in normal or lower lighting conditions at all. I’ve been hunting for hours and just can’t find a scenario where one is better than the other. In brighter light the etched gets the advantage of some diffusion at the cost of a little vibrancy, making things playable without distraction. A nice bonus. But outside of the bright environment scenario, it almost feels like a disservice to tell people there is a noticeable difference. Unless there is just unit to unit variance and you got a mediocre etched unit, I can confidently say that these things are exactly the same in color, vibrancy, and black performance in normal lighting. And if you need a 10x macro to find subtle differences we’re wasting time.
I love your intro theme.
Im thankful for these videos. Happy thanksgiving to y'all
Not sure why people are making such a big deal about reflections on the glossy version. The Switch OLED screen is glossy and reflective as hell and everybody has just great things to say about the display and how the colors pop. Literally nobody cares about the reflections. Valve just introduced confusion by even adding an etched glass option.
Oh my god preach!!! I couldnt agree with you more. Glossy oled screens on all models wouldve been perfectly fine but they wanted to justify the price increase. It just created bs on youtube. I have the 512 non etched. Whats really messing with me mentally is le orange accents. I want it bad.
I want the glossy Steam Deck because I want to have a screen protector on it and You kinda ruin the etched glass one if you put a screen protector on it
Thank you so much, Russ!
I value your opinion so much more than that of a certain other big UA-cam channel with the three capital letters…
Once again you prove why that’s the case.
I am curious how easy a shell a swap will be now that they made the screen easier to replace, and re-work the whole design to be more repairable.
Ifixit did a video on it, battery is only difficult thing to swap mostly but it's also likely the front shell will need an update
Yeah, me too. I am definitely doing a shell swap since Valve shafted the EU with no limited edition option.
Man… at 8:03 you said that you are not seeing any difference with light turned off and at 13:59 you are saying that glossy panel really pops when playing at night.
it's because there isn't really a difference between the panels but glossy-ists have to say something.
One has to be blind to not see a difference@@h445
@@h445 truthnuke
happy thanksgiving retro game corps! what a pleasant surprise to wake up to
How do you feel about getting a 512GB and putting a matte screen protector on it?
Just got my 512 gb OLED in yesterday and finally got all my games moved over, now to spend the rest of today getting my emulation set back up
Great video, thank you for doing this comparison. It's such a bummer knowing that if you want the most crisp picture you have to get the 512GB OLED model. I'm about to pull the trigger on a purchase but really want 1TB of storage. Really wish they would give you a screen option because changing out the storage isn't something I am comfortable with.
Or just order the 512GB one and put a 2TB SSD in. (or 4TB with a tad of modding)
I'm glad you compared the LCD screen with boosted contrast vs the OLED. Now I have less FOMO. I may still end up getting the glossy OLED but now I don't feel rushed.
You took the words right out of my mouth I agree with you 100%
in fairness the LCD deck is amazing as it is, the fact valve just keep improving it is nuts, the software experience is still the best available on a handheld so i dont think anybody should feel like they need to upgrade... shit steam deck is so good i just decided to sell my ally and buy the OLED deck even though i already have the LCD deck to.
Yeah I just bought an lcd instead of the oled cause the oled is almost double the price and I don’t wanna spend an extra 300 for a better screen + extra battery
@@jinx20001 oh really? Sold the Ally? I've always wondered if that handheld was worth it. I never pulled the trigger bc I had my deck.
@@ninjason57 well dont get me wrong the ally is a good system, i have had it since day 1 and lived with it almost exclusively as a handheld since with my deck not getting a look in... but thats not for the reason most people would expect, power right... the power didnt really have a meaningful effect on me, AAA games still run poorly no matter what handheld you have, they are just not where they need to be for that in my opinion.
The main reason i chose to use ally was because i seen it as a better gaming experience when gaming, nicer display to look at, better speakers and it was just a new toy so i tried to love it like we all do with new things. Now that the deck has an OLED display i think it just offers that next step over LCD, i use a LG C1 oled on my pc so i know the benefits and that in a handheld... well excellent... but all the other things on top of that just sealed the deal for me, battery life, new analogue sticks, improvements to touch pads etc it just makes the deck really refined.
sorry know its a long one. On top of all that i have had issues with my ally, the sticks are quite bad, when rotating them they click now and then and i found that i needed to take them out and put tape around the step so the caps fit better. Then some games are just unplayable on ally like battlebit wheras on deck its pretty good even though it has no controller support because of the community made deck setups, so you get gyro etc. Everything is just nicer on deck ya know so power aside im struggling to see a downside to the deck besides outright game support outside of steam and ofcourse no VRR... really liked VRR but the decks Vsync setup is pretty special to.
This is EXACTLY the video I wanted! My personal preference is getting the glossy one and putting on an AR film, so it looks more like an LG OLED TV for example, keeping that glossy finish for colors and black levels but getting lower reflection levels than the stock etched model could ever achieve (all models have the same reflectivity, the etched one is just more diffused :P)
+ this video looks AMAZING, I wish you uploaded in 4K more often ;)
would you mind dropping a link to an AR film that you’d think work well with the glossy steam deck? im struggling to just decide on one 😭
Yess, I also looking for the most suitable screen guard. Please inform us the link if you found one
Finally a video where the newer device isn't just hyped again and everything new is awesome.
glad i got the anti glare honestly. in person it looks really amazing still, and i play in my car a lot
I am seeing reports on reddit of the Limited Edition having issues with dead pixels. I ordered one today, fingers crossed i dont run into that!
1 big thing that gets left out is if you get headaches easy having the bright light oh the glossy could be a deal breaker as why u dont want it. I get headaches easy nowadaya after a injury i had years ago so anti glare can be useful for me
I got the 512gb oled model which arrived today - super happy with it.
I don’t particularly mind the whole ‘diffusing the contrast of the blackness of OLED’ thing. My main issue with etched displays is that I don’t enjoy how they make pixels themselves look, and they create a very minor fuzziness that I personally despise. Glad to know that for the vast majority it’s a complete non-issue and that Valve has done a fantastic job here!
Guys the Steam Deck OLED is so awesome I don't regret getting it despite having the previous 512GB flagship Steam Deck LCD already.
This new OLED one is noticeably much lighter as soon as I picked it up. The joysticks and buttons also feels better also when gaming.
Don't pay too much attention to etched vs. glossy. They are both just as good. I got the Limited Edition not coz of the etched screen but coz of the overall look and 1TB SSD. I also have put a clear glossy screen protector on it not coz I specifically prefer glossy but coz I simply want to protect the screen from scratches.
Overall, the new OLED Steam Deck is definitely the definitive edition that should have been released back then. While minor, most things has been upgraded. This just gives me more confidence on Valve how great the future Steam Deck 2 would be! 😁
i think the positives outweigh the negatives of the etched glass, less reflection near a window or in sunlight is a plus, less fingerprint magnet prone another positive, The oled pixels still behave like oled pixels so blacks switch off, the pixels still change color at light speed so almost zero ghosting or smearing...
i will say however, im saying this because i ordered a 1tb and im now slightly pissed off, so take that into consideration :)
Im going with if valve says its better, its better... i would like to see somebody drop test them, i know thats a big ask but i wonder if the etched glass has other properties that bring other advantages, is it more scratch resistant for example, i guess i should ask jerryrig this one.
but what about screen protectors, i just got my 512 and i was wondering about this whole etched vs glossy thing... but when you think it's safer to put a screen protector anyway.. how it would work on etched? to keep the anti-glare you put another ant-glare protector? is that going to get the image worse? or in the case of glossy protectors, the etched underneath is going to influence the experience or not?
on the other side put a glossy protector on glossy screen should keep the glossy characteristics, and an etched one will be good enough as the 1TB etched screen?
I think the whole screen protector thing is a lot important and this video without this consideration loses something
Etched glass its much more prone to scratching due to the etching compromising the glass. Look up the durability test on the lcd model.
@@dezcancatch ah thanks for the heads up thats good to know... screen protector it is then haha.
@@Tonno7yeah if the 512gb w/ an anti glare protector is as good as the etched that really ends all debate 🤷
This 100%
If you play a lot of text heavy games or pixel graphics games then I recommend glossy. You'll never notice the clarity difference on 3D/AAA games, but if you play games like Divinity 2 or Octopath, etc., you're going to notice it and the clarity of the glossy screen will be beneficial.
That's why after using many gaming monitors I choose to stay with LG C3 GLOSSY OLED for now and the image is MINDOWING - the MOST THING THAT MATTERS when choosing a display no matter the size is 1. PPI. GLOSSY or NOT/ REFRESH, FEATURES !
The only time you will see the difference is not with a macro lens close up but when you look at it from further away with scenes with a lot of bright sections, the brighter and the more contrasty the better, meaning go HDR. You will see the bright spots will bloom noticeably more than the non etched one. Though i don’t think its a deal breaker either way.
Imo it’s cheaper to add the blurriness/ matte effect after the fact with a screen protector. You can always go blurrier but never sharper.
This is the comparison video I was searching for.
Thanks for this. I'm a matte finish guy, but I'll typically be in a controlled lighting situation like you discussed, and would rather have the pop -- especially on text as you mentioned as well. Thanks again.
This was extremely useful. Thanks for this!
Ive been wanting a steam deck since they were announced and my friend got me an oled for Christmas im so excited! Been chasing that high quality gaming on the go since the psp! Never even seen an oled screen before, those colors are gonna pop!
Thank you very much for this video. Great as usual, was waiting for it 🙂
Unfortunately, it didn't help with my decision. I do have an OG 512 etched and an upgraded 64 glossy (from the sale). When on the couch in the evening, I also prefer the glossy LCD one. It somehow, subjectively, looks better to me. When I'm on train (long business trips), sitting at the window, well... And I would like to have the double case. And having 1 TB already without having to open it, for just 100 more is also attractive. 🤔
So... I'll postpone the decision and stay with my LCD-ones for the time being.
These are exactly my thoughts too. I cannot decide which for the same reasons you say.
Happy Thanksgiving Russ from the Netherlands. Love your videos and also the podcasts on NerdNest
Awesome! Thank you!
Did you check if the screens are from BOE or samsung? I read that the samsung panels have a slightly different subpixel arrangement than the BOE panels, which makes the image slightly grainier.
Which panels are better then, the BOE panel?
So ... basically ... if you have to take macroshots in order to make slight differences visible ... than Valve did an awesome job and it's no longer a question if the glare or non-glare display is better or not 😎 It only comes down to price, storage and if you need a non-glare display or not. Thanks for this comparison! Helped me a lot.
To be fair, he said the macro shots didn't show him much, but the naked eye test was obvious (to him). Seeing them side by side he had a very clear and distinguishable preference that he noticed.
@@CosmicApe 👍
I think the difference is not huge and I could hardly see it. I went etched glass like I did last time and I am very happy with it. I have a switch OLED, but do not take it with me on the go or traveling as much because of how much I hate the glare. Going from a LCD 512 to the 1tb LE OLED and it was a massive upgrade display wise.
I bought the LE but didn't open it. I was afraid of how the etched screen would not work for me. Russ, I don't know how you got into my brain but your comment about sharpness of text was what pushed me over the edge. I thought Taki did a good job showing the differences but without seeing seeing your impression i still had questions. I ordered my 512 and waiting on customer service to send me a return label for the LE. I really, really appreciated this video. Thank you
@@itsdtxjd returned it? In the comments you posted in like TEN other videos you said you'd given it to "your girlfriend"; sounds like you're just a shill.
@@Freezorgium - looks like I’m not the only one you’re stalking too. #EXPOSED
@@CJP.-pq3kr By "stalking" do you mean "checking out different videos to find which Steam Deck to buy and seeing the same morons spamming about the glossy steamdeck in a creepy, cult-like fashion"?
@@Freezorgium - so embarrassing that I caught you doing what you claimed I was: spamming the same kind of comment. You weirdos are always guilty of what you accuse others 😂
@@CJP.-pq3kr "nooo you're not supposed to notice things!"
My phone is glossy, my iPad is glossy, the LCD on my Sony cameras are glossy, my OLED TV is glossy, my Switch is Glossy, my old Gameboy is glossy too and all my handhelds and all my iPhones I have ever had were glossy. I never had a problem with any of them so I am not sure why suddenly there is a problem with the Steam Deck.
Glossy for me...
Hey, thanks for the great video. I got the 512GB and wasn't sure if they had fixed the matte finish looking fuzzy (as I could also easily see the difference on the LCD model). I wish they would offer the LE at some point with a glossy screen, and like you said that anti-glare magic the ROG Ally has. Appreciate the hard work 👍
can you make a video about the severe mura effect the steam deck oled with a samsung panel has? if you need help noticing it, download the demo of the game Inside in oled deck and run it side by side with a device with a different panel. you would immediately notice how grainy and greenish the black sillouettes are on the oled deck. however, pure blacks are unaffected
once you notice it, it's impossible to not notice it anymore on other games. it's like having a perpetual film grain on the screen
@@arshtat Hey, I looked into this a good bit tonight. I do slightly see it, but it doesn't look as bad as what I've seen online. I'm thinking there are variations between even just the Samsung panels.
I loaded up Inside, as well as Skyrim and Deadspace. It was most noticeable in the game Inside. I really didn't see it at all in darker scenes in both Skyrim, Dead Space and other games I've played.
I wish I had an LE now to be able to test the panel differences. I also saw a guy that tested the touch sensitivity and the Samsung panel seems to be faster than the LE.
I am pretty picky with screens and didn't see this at all till you mentioned it. And even now it's so slight it won't bother me. But I do think there could be some serious variations in the panels themselves.
What if you just put a glossy screen protector on the 1tb model? I wanted the 512gb model but felt compelled to get the limited edition. Seems as though those slight differences would go away but then again the screen protector might just introduce new issues.
I did this in my previous OLED videos, and it was a lose-lose situation. The glossy screen protector retained the haze from an etched glass screen, but also made it reflective.
Ah, thanks.
Glossy is the way to go for me! My tv is a glossy LG GX, my Nintendo Switch OLED is glossy, my computer monitor is a glossy Alienware QD-OLED, and now I will have the glossy Steam Deck OLED!
Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family Russ!
I prefer the overall image of the Deck 1TB to my OLED Switch. Prefer less light refraction and not noticing the difference you state. Personal pref.
You're really making great videos. As one of the many Steam Deck OLED customers I wanted to know if there is really something about the displays between the 512 GB OLED and 1 TB OLED.
My feelings already told me to go for the 1 TB version and Ive ordered it.
Thank you for the video!
Honestly ill take the softer less aliased etched version anyday. I feel like every game i always have the antialiasing up a lot or even maxed and this just takes some of that burden off of processing
Happy Thanksgiving Russ from Retro Game Corps
Same to you!
@@RetroGameCorps don't feel bad, I have to work Thanksgiving day too. I go in at 7pm until 7am
I have been waiting for a comparison even though I really wanted to buy on the day of release. I wish I could see them in person and decide.
Pause at 7:59 look at the top 1TB oled and then look at the bottom 512gb oled, notice at the top center in between the blue triangle , you can see on the bottom a lot of extra detail that is completely gone on the top etched screen. Also look at the purple bug with legs on the top left and you can see how on the glossy screen it has more detail on it that is almost gone on the etched screen. Zoom in on your phone and you can see how much blurrier the 1TB looks compared to the 512gb glossy screen.
Its just because the camera have the focus on the middle of the screen. Look at the text-menu at the button on the glossy one, at the words "Steam" "Menu" "select" "back"
those words are much more blurry on the glossy one and on the 1TB model they are much more clear and sharp. Its just the camera focus.
Something I've noticed with my etched glass 512GB LCD and 1TB OLED Steam Decks, is that the diffused colors go away when I put on a glossy glass screen protector on them. They look identical to the glossy Steam Deck my friend has. It would be interesting if you could do that for future videos, and say your opinions on that experience.
Happy Thanksgiving and thanks for the video!
The original Deck pixel pattern is V-BGR (vertical, because it's a vertical panel turned sideways).
Can anyone confirm what is the OLED's pixel pattern? I'm having a bit of a hard time identifying it from the video footage.
Allegedly it is not sideway this time. Can pattern be deduced from makro shots? Edges from left to right are red - green. Or is that just mismatched settings
@@damianabregba7476 with a close enough macro yes, I've done it before.
Not being a tilted panel would be a first in these larger handhelds I believe. It's good news for my specific use case of CRT filters that rely on pixel structure (like CRT Royale or Guest).
It’s still a portrait display rotated to landscape if that’s what you mean
what about an anti-glare screen protector? Would you get the same results?
Are you able to put on an anti glare screen protector on the 512 and compare with the 1tb? Is it as effective at reducing reflections? I really wish Valve just let you choose what type of panel you get at each size 😕
That would increase cost since it would complicated production. Not worth it to me IMO
@@legostarwarsrulez True as a SSD upgrade is simple and quick to do.
Already bought the 512GB model but this solidifies my opinion. I've seen other creators saying that there is no difference at all in sharpness and that the etched one is just better but I simply couldn't believe it and have no way to confirm it myself so this really is the video I needed!
And yet Taki Udon, an extremely trusted YTer, didn’t have this opinion when comparing the two. What does that say? Subjective reality.
@@Inphenitee Probably. I cannot compare the 2 but I have dealt with etched screens before and I always noticed the lack of perfect sharpness and a slight but noticible difference in clarity I guess? Nitidity? Don't really know how to describe it but this review is the closest I've seen to my limited experience with etched glass so I'll gladly use it to reinforce my beliefs and be happier with my purchase lol
Not saying the difference would be huge but just that, for me, I'm sure glossy is the best choice even if by the slightest margin.
Are the pictures mixed up at 10:00 ? The bottom picture looks a little bit more washed out and I would expect that from the LCD model not the 512 OLED. maybe I'm seeing things or it's a camera angle difference?
Would be nice to see a ground-up re-review of the Steam Deck considering modern emulation capabilities and the OLED model.
Ordered since 16th and now got a shipping date on the 28 for it to arrive. Don’t know why some people already got it.
My 512GB is arriving Saturday and after much thought and viewing Taki Udon's comparison I placed an order for the LE today and will be sending one back. I have Samsung G9 Neo Dual 4K and I really appreciate the matte surface as I have a bright living room, wven though the matte is visible and degrades the image, before that I couldnt stand how reflective my Alienware M18x R2 glossy display was and eventually removed the protective outer layer altogether so it was just the unprotected LCD layer! Like you I mostly use my Deck in bed at night where I can control the light, but if I ever travel or want to play in my bright living room Im going to wish i opted for etched.
I decided the sharper image outweighs my want for a fancier case....I went for the glossy screen instead..
I was really looking forward to your video with this comparison. I made the decision to get the 512 GB model based on exactly the points you made and your video confirms this. Thank you! I just received my 512 GB model yesterday and absolutely love the display.
Thanks for the really detailed comparison. I travel a lot, so the 1TB may be better, especially so the screen doesn't scratch (i've heard the etched is more resistant to scratching). I rarely play at home, and play more often at work during downtime, in public spaces and transportation (airports, uber, trains, airplanes), so the 1TB is probably better for my usage.
I'm in love with switch OLED screen I want my SD with that screen too
Can you do a Grips video for Switch? I have a hard time holding the thin console while reclining outside. Wish Steam Deck focused on bigger better joysticks. Are those trackpads useful in more than 10 percent of the time? Love my Miyoo Mini Plus 2 and my Anbernic 53xx? Both so similar. Bernie is larger and easier to hold. Miyoo so pocketable, able to bring to formal functions and pop it out of the pocket, such a show stopper, don't even need to turn it on. Love your channel. Maybe reach out to the vr makers and get them to send you every one for free, then do a where is vr today video, as it seems it is still a very new and undeveloped thing. We have great hardware, but lets face it, if our favorite software is twenty years old, maybe we are missing some creativity in our corporate society at present.
Thanks for actually giving clear observations and admitting there are differences unlike that terrible waste of time taki udon video. You could tell he didn’t want to piss valve off and say either has an advantage because valve did just send him two free steamdecks. Only thing I didn’t like about this video was that a drink and snack were not permitted 😢
Hey Retro Game Corps, first off love the content it’s helped me both make my choices and be prepared for the best setup process for emulation etc.
I’ve scoured your videos and I’d like to see a recommended accessories for the steam OLED. Particularly I’m trying to find a screen protector for the 1TB model among other great recommended accessories.
I personaly would never play under a direct light source with or without an etched screen. I am getting the 512 GB OLED model. you can always upgrade to 1 TB for less than 100 bucks or even to 2 TB if you like or need to and for a few bucks you can always get a matte screen protector if you wish, that is removable. Happy gaming!
Great video!
I would still prefer the anti glare one.
I have a tablet that has very reflective display, and I really hate that part. I always have to think of how I will position it when I use it. will there be a light fixture that would show on the display, will there be a window...
and honestly those relaxions can bring headaches because of how they irritate the eyes.
so yeah, from the original models I went with the antireflective screen, and if i were to buy the oled model, i would still get the antireflective model. i'm not really sure if i'm gonna buy it, since i rarely justify buying a revision, but this one has so many bonuses, that i'm considering it. the only reason i haven't really decided yet, is because i don't have much time to play anyway and i don't use my original deck that much, so i won't be using the new one much as well.
This video is incredible, thanks for the close up shots. It is so well made that I'm questioning my decision to get the LE. I firstly ordered the 512GB, then cancel and order the Limited Edition, and now I'm questioning if I should have stick to 512GB :(
Bro, I got both limited edition one terabyte and the 512 GB OLED and yeah just as I thought the glossy one looks better and I’m keeping that one returning the etched screen one.
@@itsdtxjd 512 + matte screen protector is any different from regular limited edition?
There is such a limited difference, you’ll be fine with the LE.
🤦Taki Udon measured both a glossy and etched OLED as expected it made negligible difference. Yes in a bright reflective environment the etched will disperse the reflections more........but the glossy is so reflective, that at that point who cares. How many of us game in a studio with powerful lighting🤣🤣🤦
Get the 512gb, the LED charging light on the LE Oled is SUPER annoying
This is the video I was waiting for! Not to justify my 512 decision, but because I know that my preferences and reasoning often lines up with yours. I’m mainly a retro gaming enthusiast and at the end of the day this isn’t going to be the only handheld I use, so 512 will save me a bit of money and will look great. Very intrigued by the etched glass on an OLED though. I’d love to see on smaller handhelds that I take with me on the plane.
I had the same experience. I ordered a 1TB and 512GB. I'll be returning the 1TB next week.
Thank you for making this video. When watching Taki’s video I figured he would say the etched screen is better because he prefers the etched (he has said so in previous videos). I am in your camp with the non etched, and I appreciate your subjective review. (Cause yours is an opinion I trust)
Or rather it is an opinion that confirms your bias? At the end of the day, we will always look to the opinions that are similar to our own, it is human nature. Either way, it is SteamOS that I love most about the SteamDecks.
Yeah I haven’t watch Taki before but even watching only that one video it was very obvious he greatly preferred anti glare screens.
so you didn't like what taki said because it didn't confirm your wrong opinion on the matter? i have the LE screen and it's just great. the lesser screen on the 512 wouldn't be better. sorry.
The older you are, the sharpness of the glosssy version is going to matter less.
The more colorblind you are, the more good OLED matters. (On crappy screens, for me, some yelllows are white, and some purples and oranges are the same color).
As always, super interesting. Thanks for sharing !
“Especially if you can see your own face in the reflection. That’s one of my least favorite properties.” Same, dude. Same. 😢
I tested both the LE, with and without a screen protector, and 512gb OLED with a double blind test. Interesting results. I found the 512gb to be a bit more punchy and better looking, however, my wife couldn't tell the difference......until I pointed out the variations in colors when light hits the screen. She then noticed but didn't find it to be a big difference. BUT THEN, I put a screen protector on the LE and the difference I originally saw became MUCH less, and for my wife, it was also less. I also, through in the original 512gb with the etched screen and screen protector in the mix. My wife spotted the difference immediately as she was walking up to the screens. No surprise.
The next day, I laid out all three of the devices in front of my friend, who is a gamer but has zero experience with the steam deck, and he could not see the difference between the two OLED models. Furthermore, I didn't tell him about the etched screens and protectors, i just laid them in front of him and asked which is the best screen.
My verdict and the one I'm leaning towards keeping is the LE. I may be biased, bc I don't like etched screens, but I feel the 512gb OLED as a bit more punch and clarity vs the LE. Adding that screen protector really brought the two a lot closer together, but I still feel the 512gb wins. However, bc the difference is sooooo close with the screen protector on the LE, it's hard to give up the LE.
Which screen protector for the etched LE?
@@Kobforshort they both had the Jsaux screen protector.
The glossy version to me is a no brainer. You have control over which way you want to go then. By that I mean if you get the glossy and it’s too reflective, you can just buy an anti glare screen protector and you are set. No more reflection. On the other hand, if you aren’t sure which way to go, same thing, you get the glossy model, throw an anti glare screen protector on it, and you can then decide if you like the AG or Gloss look better. If you like the AG, then you simply leave the screen protector on. If you don’t like it, you just rip the screen protector off (and replace with a gloss one if you want a screen protector on like I do). You have both options at your disposal.
Once you get the etched glass, then you are locked into that look.
512gb gloss model for me all day.
i got the 512 and without thinking about it i ordered (and it arrived) a glossy protector too (a premium one also by spigen). I was thinking (yesterday that I was trying the device) the same things you wrote here and now I wish I would have ordered the anti-glare protectors just to try them 😅. With amazon I could return the glossy protector but I would have to pay the delivery fees i think.
It's not the first time i read or heard impressions on favor of glossy like in this video, so maybe I could just stick to glossy. Once in game reflections are way less noticable unless of sudden black screens
@@Tonno7 if it makes you feel any better, I think you made the right choice getting the glossy protectors, unless you play in a lot of high/bright light environments (I.E. middle of the day, outside). If you are playing in reasonably light controlled environments such as indoors etc, then the glossy screen protector is the way to go IMO.
Worse comes to worse, you could order an anti glare down the track if it is really playing on your mind and for the cost of less that $10 USD (if you just get a Jsaux one, which IMO are great), you’ll have your answer at to what you like better.
Any recommendations for screen protectors? I’m leaning towards getting the glossy model and putting an anti-reflective protector, thoughts?
I got the glossy 512 GB model and I plan to put the tempered glass screen protector from Dbrand. I mainly play indoors, so I hope I’ll enjoy mine.