Valve is utilizing the beta version of Steam Deck to scrutinize an 80% battery cap during testing.
Hopping onto the Steam Deck Revolution
Valve's Steam Deck has sparked a wave in the portable PC gaming world. This change has brought about adjustments to Steam, transforming it into a thriving platform in the Switch-like form factor, welcoming a new generation of portable gaming powerhouses like the Steam Deck OLED. With new competitors looming, Valve remains steadfast in updating the firmware that keeps the Steam Deck running smoothly in this competitive landscape. One such recent update is now available on the preview build, introducing a feature that could potentially enhance the long-term battery health of your Steam Deck.
Batteries wear out over time and usage, with degradation being a common concern in today's technology. This decline in battery life is often among the first signs of aging in most portable tech you own[1]. To combat this, new devices are increasingly featuring battery-limiting features, much like the one introduced in the May 8th Steam Deck Beta Client update.
users with that update installed can navigate to the Settings on their Steam Deck to find a new Battery Charge Limit control in the Power section. Here, they can limit a full charge on their unit to only charge up to 80% battery[2]. Naturally, this means a reduction of 20% in battery life on a single charge. However, the overall longevity of the battery might benefit from this limitation.
The 80% charging limit is especially recommended for users who don't frequently remove their Steam Deck from charge or don't often deplete the battery completely[3]. It could help mitigate potential battery issues caused by sustained charging. If you seldom drain your battery down to 20%, this setting is likely a smart choice and easy to forget once activated.
Conversely, users can always turn off these settings if they find they require that extra bit of battery life to get them through the day. If you're someone who uses a combination of both battery-limited and full charge settings depending on your usage, that could also be an effective solution. It may also depend on the accessories you opt for[1].
At present, the battery limit is exclusive to the test preview build for Steam. So, it seems Valve is observing the impact of this 80% charging limit before implementing it as a standard feature. The enthusiastic, somewhat niche portable PC gaming community serves as a robust test group for beta testers[4]. It'll be interesting to see if this charging limit improves the overall battery life in the long term and ultimately rolls out to the main software build.
*Best Handheld Gaming PC:*: Finding the perfect travel companion.Steam Deck OLED review:: Our verdict on Valve's portable powerhouse.**Best Steam Deck accessories:: Accessorize your Steam Deck.
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Hope CorriganHope's been penning about games for roughly a decade, starting out on the Australian Nintendo fan site Vooks.net. Since then, she's chattered excessively about games and tech for publications such as Techlife, Byteside, IGN, and GameSpot. Of course, there's also here at PC Gamer, where she gets to indulge her inner hardware geek with news and reviews[5]. Usually, you'll find Hope swooning over some art, tech, or a fantastic fusion of both, which she enthusiastically shares here. When she's not writing about others' creations, she's working on her own, which you can find in her fictional, ambient, sci-fi radio show/album/listening experience podcast right here[6]. No, she's not joking.
- The Steam Deck OLED, a portable gaming powerhouse, is one of the new generation of devices that have emerged in the wake of Valve's Steam Deck.
- The 80% charging limit, introduced in the May 8th Steam Deck Beta Client update, could potentially enhance the long-term battery health of your Steam Deck.
- If you seldom drain your Steam Deck's battery down to 20%, the 80% charging limit setting is likely a smart choice and easy to forget once activated.
- Gadgets like the Steam Deck are subject to technology's degradation, with battery life being one of the first signs of aging in most portable tech.
- Hope Corrigan, a writer at PC Gamer, is also the creator of a fictional, ambient, sci-fi radio show/album/listening experience podcast.
- The competitive landscape of portable PC gaming is benefiting from the steam deck revolution, with Steam transforming into a thriving platform.
