Valve has expanded its certified refurbished offerings to include the Steam Deck OLED, presenting gamers with the chance to snag this enhanced device at a marked-down rate. Opting for a refurbished OLED model means saving a hefty 20% off the price of a brand-new one.
The refurbished lineup includes the 1TB and 512GB OLED models. The 1TB version can be yours for just $519, while the 512GB comes at $439. When you stack these prices against their fresh alternatives, where a new 1TB demands $649 and a 512GB goes for $549, you’re looking at substantial savings—$120 off the 1TB and $110 for the 512GB. Interestingly, snatching up a refurbished 1TB OLED sets you back $30 less than buying the brand-new 512GB variant.
Comparing options, the only brand-new Steam Deck version that’s cheaper than the refurbished OLEDs is the older 256GB LCD model at $399. Though Valve also offers refurbished LCD variants—the 64GB, 256GB, and 512GB—they’re all currently out of stock, and you can’t buy new 512GB or 64GB LCD models anymore.
Despite its straightforward moniker, the Steam Deck OLED boasts more than just a snazzy screen upgrade. It’s not just about swapping LCD for OLED; the display now supports a 90Hz refresh rate, stretches to 7.4 inches, includes HDR capabilities, and reaches brightness levels of 400 nits, climbing to 1000 nits with HDR. It’s a notable leap from the earlier 7-inch, 60Hz LCD that maxed out at 400 nits and didn’t support HDR.
Beneath the surface, there are also significant advancements. The battery has jumped from 40Whr to 50Whr, letting gamers play anywhere from 3 to 12 hours, depending on what game they dive into, compared to the old 2-8 hours on the LCD. Plus, the RAM has been upgraded from 5500MT/s LPDDR5 to the higher-speed 6400 MT/s LPDDR5, alongside a refined AMD APU slimming down from a 7nm to a 6nm process node.
Right now, the refurbished OLED Steam Decks are available in select regions: Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US. Rest assured, these pre-owned units come with the same one-year warranty you’d expect with a new one, with a potential extension based on your location.
