Steam Deck has been updated for October 2024.

Important points

• Steam Deck's latest SteamOS 3.6.19 firmware update has been released.
• SteamOS 3.6.19 includes several additions and fixes that help extend battery life. Steam Deck's graphics drivers, display colors (LCD models), and overall system performance
• Valve has also addressed stability issues surrounding the Steam Deck's microSD card support, Bluetooth connectivity, desktop mode, and more.

Valve has released a major firmware update due to its huge popularity. Steam deck Mobile Gaming PC The SteamOS 3.6.19 update is touted to bring many improvements to Steam Deck, such as increased battery life. Upgraded graphics drivers Bluetooth enhancements and more

The Steam Deck is one of the most popular portable gaming PCs today. While competing mobile devices use Windows as their operating system, Steam Deck sets itself apart with a smooth Linux-based interface (called SteamOS) that mirrors the traditional console user experience. Many Steam Deck users Many praised the user-friendly software, and Valve has even confirmed that it will make SteamOS available to competitors in the future. For now, however, the company is focused on Steam Deck users, who can already download SteamOS 3.6.19.

One of the main topics of SteamOS 3.6.19 is New Mesa 24.1 graphics driverThis improves game performance and overall system responsiveness. The operating system has been upgraded to the new Arch Linux base with an upgraded Linux kernel (6.5), which increases security, stability, and compatibility across the system. Valve has also adjusted brightness uniformity and Steam Deck color balance in display settings This will result in a more pleasing image. especially in low light conditions

The most notable additions in Steam Deck's SteamOS 3.6.19 update

general

• Updated to the latest Arch Linux base and updated the Linux kernel to version 6.5.
  • These updates improve hardware compatibility. System performance, safety, and overall system stability
• Improves the speed of subsequent OS updates.
• Improves the reliability of certain microSD card usage situations.
• Fixed incorrect detection of some SanDisk microSD cards
• Fixed some connection failures with access points that support WPA3 security.
• Fixed an issue where Steam Deck was unable to connect to some Wi-Fi 7 access points.

Graphics and performance

• Updated graphics driver to Mesa 24.1 with many other performance and improvements.
• Improved Steam UI responsiveness
• Improves performance and stability in memory-pressured situations.
• Slightly improved cold boot times.

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• Improved display consistency under certain conditions (Mura Compensation)
• Improved display color balance (reduces green tint) at lower brightness levels Under certain conditions
• Improved gamma uniformity (yellow tint) under certain conditions
• Addresses an issue where the internal display may remain blank after disconnecting an external display.

external display

• Addresses multiple issues where external displays may go blank after resuming.
• Addresses an issue where the system may crash upon waking if an external DisplayPort monitor is connected.
• Fixed a system error when plugging in a second display in desktop mode

Bluetooth

• Improves the Bluetooth pairing experience with Apple AirPods.
• Enable support for Bluetooth HFP and BAP profiles.
• Added a mechanism to configure the Bluetooth device categories that are allowed to wake the system from pause.
• Improves the connection speed of some Bluetooth devices.

Desktop mode

• Updated to KDE Plasma 5.27.10
• Addresses an issue with desktop usage that could cause subsequent microSD card auto-installation to fail.

Battery life

• Steam Deck OLED only
  • Added support for Windows Bluetooth drivers (LCD models already support Windows Bluetooth)
• Steam Deck LCD only
  • Improves battery life by up to 10% in low-load situations.
  • Added overclocking controls

Battery life improvements are another notable addition in SteamOS 3.6.19, thanks to a memory leak fix. Steam Deck OLED users should notice improved battery life while gaming. While Steam Deck LCD users will see approximately 10% more battery performance under “light load” conditions, this is ideal for low-demand tasks like downloading games. This should now drain the Steam Deck's battery less. Steam Deck LCD users will also have access to overclocking controls in the BIOS, a feature previously only available on OLED models.

Valve has fixed many stability issues as well, such as a black screen bug that occurred when switching between Steam Deck desktop mode and game mode. Reliability issues for microSD cards have been fixed. Helps reduce the chance of crashes when using certain SanDisk cards. The official patch notes for SteamOS 3.6.19 cover the update's remaining additions and fixes. Therefore, those interested should definitely check out the list.

While the Steam Deck may not be the most powerful portable gaming PC, But many believe Valve's extraordinarily strong software support helps make up for the deficit, even though the Steam Deck is now entering its third year. Rumors about a potential successor have also begun to spread. Valve also confirmed plans for Steam Deck 2 recently, but the company isn't interested in accelerating the development of any successor and is waiting for “over-the-top” optimizations. “Generation” without compromising battery life