Key Takeaways
- The Steam Deck‘s latest SteamOS 3.6.19 firmware update has been released.
- SteamOS 3.6.19 includes several additions and fixes that enhance the Steam Deck’s battery life, graphics drivers, display colors (LCD model), and overall system performance.
- Valve has also addressed stability issues surrounding the Steam Deck’s microSD card support, Bluetooth connectivity, Desktop mode, and more.
As a seasoned gamer with years of handheld gaming under my belt, I can confidently say that Valve has once again outdone themselves with the latest SteamOS 3.6.19 firmware update for the Steam Deck. This update is nothing short of a game-changer, improving everything from battery life to graphics performance and overall system stability.
Valve has rolled out an extensive software upgrade for its widely acclaimed handheld gaming PC, the Steam Deck. Named SteamOS 3.6.19, this update introduces a wide array of enhancements to the Steam Deck, including extended battery life, revamped graphics drivers, optimized Bluetooth functionality, and numerous other improvements.
The Steam Deck stands out among handheld gaming PCs due to its distinctive Linux-based interface, known as SteamOS, which resembles a conventional console’s user experience, setting it apart from competitors that run on Windows. Users of the Steam Deck have praised the user-friendly software, and Valve has hinted at making SteamOS accessible to rival companies eventually. Currently, however, their primary concern is catering to Steam Deck users, who can now download the latest update, SteamOS 3.6.19.
As a gamer, I’m super excited about the latest update to SteamOS 3.6.19! One of the main attractions is the brand new Mesa 24.1 graphics driver. This bad boy boosts game performance and makes the system overall more responsive.
Most Notable Additions in Steam Deck’s SteamOS 3.6.19 Update
General
- Updated to a more recent Arch Linux base, and updated Linux kernel to version 6.5
- These updates improve hardware compatibility, system performance, security, and overall system stability
- Improved speed of subsequent OS updates
- Improved reliability of certain microSD card usage scenarios
- Worked around misdetection of some SanDisk microSD cards
- Fixed some connectivity failures with access points supporting WPA3 security
- Fixed a problem where Steam Deck would be unable to connect to certain Wi-Fi 7 access points
Graphics and Performance
- Updated graphics driver to Mesa 24.1, with many performance and other improvements
- Improved responsiveness of the Steam UI
- Improved performance and stability in memory pressure situations
- Slightly improved cold boot time
Display
- Improved display uniformity, under some conditions (Mura Compensation)
- Improved display color balance (reduced green tint) at lower brightness levels, under some conditions
- Improved gamma uniformity (yellow tint), under some conditions
- Fixed an issue where the internal display could remain blank after disconnecting an external display
External Display
- Fixed several issues where an external display could remain blank after resuming
- Fixed an issue where the system could crash on wakeup if an external DisplayPort monitor was connected
- Fixed a system crash when hotplugging a second display in Desktop mode
Bluetooth
- Improved Bluetooth pairing experience with Apple AirPods
- Enabled support for Bluetooth HFP and BAP profiles
- Added mechanism to configure which Bluetooth device categories are allowed to wake the system from suspend
- Improved connection speed of some Bluetooth devices
Desktop Mode
- Updated to KDE Plasma 5.27.10
- Fixed an issue with desktop use that could cause subsequent microSD card auto-mount to fail
Battery Life
- Steam Deck OLED only
- Added support for the Windows Bluetooth driver (LCD models already have Windows Bluetooth support)
- Steam Deck LCD only
- Improved battery life by up to 10% in light load situations
- Added overclocking controls
In the latest SteamOS 3.6.19 update, there’s an impressive enhancement: extended battery life. This is mainly due to a memory leak fix, which means Steam Deck OLED users will experience improved battery life during gaming sessions, while Steam Deck LCD users can anticipate a approximately 10% boost in battery performance under light load conditions. This change makes the Steam Deck more efficient when performing less power-intensive tasks such as downloading games, reducing strain on the device’s battery. Moreover, an exciting new feature for Steam Deck LCD users is the availability of overclocking controls within the BIOS, a functionality that was previously exclusive to OLED models.
In the latest update, SteamOS 3.6.19, Valve has tackled various stability problems, including a bug that caused a black screen when transitioning between Desktop Mode and Game Mode on the Steam Deck. Moreover, they’ve improved the performance of microSD cards, minimizing potential issues with specific SanDisk cards. For a comprehensive look at all the changes and fixes in this update, be sure to review the official patch notes.
Despite not being the most powerful portable gaming PC on the market, many people feel that Valve’s robust software support effectively compensates for this shortcoming. As the Steam Deck enters its third year, speculation about a potential successor has started to grow. In fact, Valve recently announced their plans for a Steam Deck 2. However, they are in no hurry to develop the sequel and prefer to wait for a significant leap in performance that won’t compromise battery life.
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2024-10-25 21:13