New Steam Deck Update Gives Millions Of Users A Crucial Battery Fix

Forbes - Feb 15th, 2025
Open on Forbes

Valve has released a new update for the Steam Deck, enhancing its battery life by up to 6% when running games at 30fps in low-power mode. This improvement comes via a change in the Steam Deck Beta Client, where the polling rate is reduced while the Steam Frame Limiter is active. The Frame Limiter, accessible from the Quick Access menu, allows users to cap the game's maximum frame rate, effectively reducing CPU usage and power consumption. This update is particularly beneficial for Steam Deck OLED users due to their more power-efficient hardware.

Since its launch in February 2022, Valve has consistently improved the Steam Deck's performance through a series of firmware and software updates. These enhancements have included optimized power efficiency during sleep/wake modes, refined fan curves, and the introduction of customizable TDP levels and GPU clocks. These continual updates reflect Valve's commitment to elevating the handheld gaming experience, making the Steam Deck a more efficient and user-friendly device over its three-year lifespan.

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RATING

6.2
Moderately Fair
Read with skepticism

The article provides a clear and timely update on the Steam Deck's software improvements, focusing on battery life enhancements. It effectively communicates the technical aspects of the update, making it accessible to readers with varying levels of expertise. However, the lack of source attribution and transparency regarding the basis of specific claims, such as the 6% battery life improvement, reduces its accuracy and credibility. The article is somewhat unbalanced, as it predominantly highlights positive aspects without addressing potential downsides or alternative perspectives. While it engages a niche audience interested in gaming technology, its impact and potential for sparking broader discussions are limited. Overall, the article serves its purpose of informing Steam Deck users about recent updates but could benefit from more comprehensive coverage and source transparency.

RATING DETAILS

7
Accuracy

The article accurately describes the Steam Deck's ongoing updates and improvements, specifically highlighting the recent update aimed at enhancing battery life. The claim that the update reduces the polling rate while the Steam Frame Limiter is active to save additional power is consistent with typical practices in software optimization. However, the specific claim of a 6% battery life improvement when running at 30 FPS in a low-power game like Half-Life 2 requires further verification through real-world testing and data analysis. The article's reference to the utility of the Frame Limiter and its accessibility through the Quick Access menu is accurate and verifiable by users familiar with the Steam Deck interface. While the overall narrative aligns with Valve's history of iterative updates, the specific quantitative claims need more evidence for full accuracy.

6
Balance

The article primarily focuses on the positive aspects of the Steam Deck's updates, highlighting the improvements in battery life and user experience. There is a noticeable lack of critical perspectives or potential downsides to the updates, such as any negative impacts on performance or user feedback on the beta features. By not addressing these aspects, the article may seem somewhat unbalanced, as it does not provide a comprehensive view of the updates' implications. Including viewpoints from users or experts who might have differing opinions on the effectiveness of these updates could enhance the article's balance.

8
Clarity

The article is well-structured and uses clear language to convey information about the Steam Deck updates. It logically explains the purpose and function of the Frame Limiter and polling rate adjustments, making it accessible to readers with varying levels of technical knowledge. The tone is neutral and informative, focusing on the technical aspects without unnecessary jargon. However, the inclusion of unrelated headlines about other tech products and services could distract readers from the main topic, slightly affecting clarity.

5
Source quality

The article does not explicitly cite any sources or provide references for the claims made about the Steam Deck updates. This lack of source attribution makes it difficult to assess the credibility and reliability of the information presented. While the updates and features discussed are consistent with known practices in gaming hardware and software, the absence of direct quotes from Valve representatives or expert analysis weakens the source quality. Including authoritative sources or technical documentation from Valve would improve the article's credibility.

5
Transparency

The article lacks transparency regarding the basis of its claims, particularly the specific data supporting the 6% battery life improvement. There is no disclosure of the methodology used to arrive at this figure, such as testing conditions or comparison benchmarks. The article would benefit from greater transparency by explaining how these improvements were measured or providing links to Valve's official announcements or technical notes. Additionally, acknowledging any potential conflicts of interest, such as affiliations with Valve, would enhance transparency.

Sources

  1. https://www.techtimes.com/articles/263341/20210725/valve-steam-deck-battery-life.htm
  2. https://forums.tomshardware.com/threads/would-capping-your-framerate-to-60-save-energy.3088298/
  3. https://beamstart.com/news/new-steam-deck-update-gives-17396345278470
  4. https://steamdeckhq.com/news/steam-deck-beta-client-improves-battery-life/
  5. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g6cd6I2hDKo