Steam Deck LCDPC Handheld
PC HandheldAvailable now
Steam Deck LCD
Valve · Released Feb 2022 · 1st Gen
The original Steam Deck, still sold as the budget entry point — the full SteamOS experience and PC library for $399.
8.8
out of 10
$399
Launch price $399
Pros
- +The most affordable way into the Steam Deck ecosystem
- +Same open SteamOS and huge PC library
- +Dual trackpads for desktop and precision input
- +Excellent value at $399
Cons
- −Dimmer 60Hz LCD versus the OLED model
- −Heavier with a smaller battery than the OLED
- −Slower Wi-Fi 5 and storage than the OLED
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full speedPlayableLimitedNot supported
PlayStation 2Full speed
GameCubeFull speed
WiiFull speed
PlayStation 3Playable
Nintendo SwitchPlayable
PlayStation 4Not supported
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- AMD Aerith (custom APU)
- CPU
- Quad-core Zen 2, 8 threads, up to 3.5GHz
- GPU
- AMD RDNA 2, 8 CUs
- RAM
- 16GB LPDDR5 (5500 MT/s)
- Storage
- 256GB NVMe SSD
- Weight
- 669 g
- Dimensions
- 298 x 117 x 49 mm
- Cooling
- Active (fan)
Display
- Size
- 7″
- Resolution
- 1280x800
- Panel
- IPS LCD
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- Yes
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 5313 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~3.5 hours
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 5.0
- Ports
- USB-C (DisplayPort 1.4), 3.5mm headphone, microSD
- Expandable storage
- Yes (microSD)
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 2
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- Yes
- Gyroscope
- Yes
- Hall effect sticks
- No
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: SteamOS 3 (Arch Linux)
Also plays natively: Steam, PC games (Proton), Emulators (EmuDeck)
Custom firmware
Our verdict
Value9.5
Build8.6
Screen7.5
Performance8.3
The LCD Steam Deck remains an outstanding value at $399, delivering the same open SteamOS, the entire Steam and PC library, and superb emulation as the pricier OLED. You give up the OLED's brighter HDR screen, lighter weight, bigger battery, and faster Wi-Fi, but the core experience — including the handy trackpads — is intact. For newcomers on a budget it is still one of the easiest recommendations in handheld gaming.