Valve has made an exciting development for gamers by adding the Steam Deck OLED to its certified refurbished lineup. This means enthusiasts now have the opportunity to purchase the OLED version at a significantly reduced price directly from Valve. The refurbished models are being offered at a 20% discount compared to buying them new.
Both the 1TB and 512GB OLED models are currently available through this refurbished program. The 1TB model is attractively priced at $519, while the 512GB version comes in at $439. To put it in perspective, you’d typically pay $649 for a brand-new 1TB model and $549 for a new 512GB version, so the refurbished options offer a savings of $120 and $110, respectively. Notably, this means you can snag the 1TB OLED model refurbished for $30 less than the cost of a new 512GB OLED.
When looking at alternatives, the only new Steam Deck variant that offers a lower price point than these refurbished OLEDs is the 256GB LCD model, currently retailing at $399. Although Valve offers refurbished versions of the LCD models, which include the 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB, all these options are currently out of stock. Additionally, the 512GB and 64GB LCD models are no longer available as new items.
It’s worth highlighting that the Steam Deck OLED isn’t just a simple screen upgrade. This model boasts a transition from an LCD to an OLED display, paired with enhancements like a 90Hz refresh rate and a larger 7.4-inch screen with HDR support. It has a brightness capability of up to 400 nits, spiking to 1000 nits in HDR mode. In contrast, the previous LCD version featured a 7-inch screen without HDR and maxed out at a 60Hz refresh rate.
There are also internal improvements worth mentioning. The battery life sees a boost with an upgrade from a 40Whr to a 50Whr battery, promising a range of 3 to 12 hours of gameplay, which is a step up from the 2-8 hours stated for the LCD version. The OLED variant also benefits from faster RAM, moving from 5500MT/s LPDDR5 to 6400 MT/s LPDDR5, alongside a more refined AMD APU that shrinks the process node from 7nm to 6nm.
You can find these refurbished Steam Deck OLEDs in selected regions, including Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. They come with the same one-year warranty that new units enjoy, though this might be extended depending on local consumer laws in your area.
