Best daily deals

Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission. Learn more.

What is a Steam Deck? Everything you need to know about Valve's console

It's a portable gaming station, a mobile Linux computer, and a tinkerer's delight.
By
July 21, 2023
steam deck
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

Gamers have plenty of choices when it comes to picking a new console. While the Nintendo Switch ruled the portable gaming roost for quite some time, it’s now facing new challengers. The Valve Steam Deck is one such device. But what is a Steam Deck, and which should you get if you’re interested? We cover the portable console in more detail below.

What is a Steam Deck, and how does it work?

The Steam Deck is a portable, handheld gaming console developed by Valve. In short, the console allows users to access titles from the popular gaming storefront Steam while on the go. But this isn’t its only use case. Valve’s console is far more versatile and user-customizable vs the Nintendo Switch.

Although the console runs a Linux-based distribution by default, it can also run Windows if desired, with Valve making the necessary tools and drivers freely available. Beyond gaming, the console doubles as a portable PC replacement. It supports external controllers, mice, keyboards, monitors, and external displays when connected to a Steam Deck dock.

What games can you play on a Steam Deck?

Steam Deck Portal in hand
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

Users can play some of the best Steam games on the Deck, including Counter-Strike: Global Offensive, Elden Ring, The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt, and more. Steam’s content library is constantly expanding, too. Blizzard is bringing several titles to Steam in the months ahead, starting with Overwatch 2. This title will be available to play on the Steam Deck without any workarounds beginning in August.

Installing games from other game launchers on the Steam Deck is also possible. Open source game launchers let users access titles from Battle.net, GOG, and the Epic Games Store.

What about other games? If you’re a Fortnite or Minecraft player, you must jump through a few hoops to play your preferred title on Steam Deck. However, they can run on the device with a bit of tinkering. Some popular games, like Destiny 2, Genshin Impact, and Call of Duty: MW2, require the installation of Windows.

For a better idea of the titles supported by the Steam Deck, check out SteamDB’s verified and playable game lists.

Steam Deck specs

Find a table detailing the core Steam Deck specs below.

Steam Deck 64GBSteam Deck 256GBSteam Deck 512GB
Operating System
Steam Deck 64GB
SteamOS
Steam Deck 256GB
SteamOS
Steam Deck 512GB
SteamOS
Dimensions
Steam Deck 64GB
298 x 117 x 49mm
669 grams
Steam Deck 256GB
298 x 117 x 49mm
669 grams
Steam Deck 512GB
298 x 117 x 49mm
669 grams
Chipset
Steam Deck 64GB
AMD Aerith APU system-on-chip

Steam Deck 256GB
AMD Aerith APU system-on-chip
Steam Deck 512GB
AMD Aerith APU system-on-chip
Memory
Steam Deck 64GB
16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
Steam Deck 256GB
16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
Steam Deck 512GB
16GB of LPDDR5 RAM
Storage
Steam Deck 64GB
64GB eMMC
microSD
Steam Deck 256GB
256GB NVMe SSD
microSD
Steam Deck 512GB
512GB NVMe SSD
microSD
Power
Steam Deck 64GB
45W charging via USB-C
40Whr battery (estimated 2-8 hours of gameplay)
Steam Deck 256GB
45W charging via USB-C
40Whr battery (estimated 2-8 hours of gameplay)
Steam Deck 512GB
45W charging via USB-C
40Whr battery (estimated 2-8 hours of gameplay)
Display
Steam Deck 64GB
7-inch 1280x800 IPS LCD touchscreen
Steam Deck 256GB
7-inch 1280x800 IPS LCD touchscreen
Steam Deck 512GB
7-inch 1280x800 IPS LCD touchscreen
Connectivity
Steam Deck 64GB
Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Steam Deck 256GB
Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Steam Deck 512GB
Bluetooth 5.0, 802.11ac Wi-Fi, 1x USB-C 3.2 Gen 2, 1x 3.5mm headphone jack
Extra features
Steam Deck 64GB
Carrying case
Steam Deck 256GB
Carrying case
Steam Community profile bundle
Steam Deck 512GB
Anti-glare etched glass coating
Exclusive carrying case
Exclusive Steam Community profile bundle
Exclusive virtual keyboard theme
Price
Steam Deck 64GB
$399
Steam Deck 256GB
$529
Steam Deck 512GB
$649

Steam Deck performance

Steam Deck controls
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

The Steam Deck is a powerful system for its size. It’s not the most powerful in its category, but its balanced specs sheet ensures a solid experience across multiple games and use cases. However, users must choose the optimum graphics settings for best performance. Valve has included several settings to help users customize their gaming experience on the Steam Deck. This includes a frame rate limit toggle, a TDP limit toggle, and the inclusion of AMD’s FSR (FidelityFX Super Resolution) tech, which aims to upscale game details without tanking the frame rate.

Regarding raw processing numbers, the Steam Deck packs a GPU capable of 1.6 teraflops — more computing power than the original Xbox One but slightly less than the PS4. That’s plenty of power to run most titles on the Steam library. When it comes to more demanding PC games, the device may struggle. Eurogamer found that Hogwarts Legacy, Returnal, and The Last of Us Part 1 are newer titles that aren’t well suited to the Deck’s hardware cocktail. Notably, these are heavy titles even for capable PC hardware.

How much does a Steam Deck cost?

  • Steam Deck (64GB eMMC): $399
  • Steam Deck (256GB NVMe): $529
  • Steam Deck (512GB NVMe): $649

Valve offers consumers three Steam Deck configurations, the only difference being their storage types and amounts. The cheapest version, packing 64GB of eMMC storage, starts at $399, while the most expensive 512GB NVMe variant asks for $649.

Where can you buy the Steam Deck?

Steam Deck Valve logo
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority

The Steam Deck has been around for a while, but you may still have difficulty finding one beyond Valve’s channels. The company says the only official way to buy the Deck is through Steam in Canada, the EU, the UK, and the US.

FAQs

The Steam Deck battery can last between two to eight hours, but performance heavily depends on the game you are playing.

The Steam Deck is available to purchase through Steam; however, it rarely (if ever) fluctuates from its launch pricing scheme.

Yes, the Steam Deck has a built-in microphone.

Yes, the Steam Deck has a microSD card slot for quick storage upgrades. However, you can also replace the Steam Deck’s 2230 SSD.

There are several ways to connect the Steam Deck to a computer to transfer files, chief of which is KDE Connect.

Yes, you can take a screenshot on the Steam Deck by pressing the STEAM and R1 buttons simultaneously.