Valve continues to refine the Steam Deck, even three years after its launch, with regular updates that improve performance and usability.
The latest Steam Deck Beta Client update introduces a battery-saving tweak that could extend playtime, especially for users playing less demanding games.
A Small Change with a Big Impact
The update reduces the polling rate when the Steam Frame Limiter is active, which can lead to up to a 6% improvement in battery life when running games at 30fps.
This means players enjoying games like Half-Life 2, Vampire Survivors, or Balatro can get a bit more playtime before needing a recharge.
The Frame Limiter, accessible from the Steam Deck’s Performance tab, allows players to cap their game’s maximum frame rate.
Lower frame rates naturally reduce power consumption, and by optimizing how often SteamOS checks for frame limit enforcement, Valve has further minimized CPU workload and energy drain.
Steam Deck OLED Users Benefit the Most
While all Steam Deck users will see an improvement, those with the Steam Deck OLED will get the most out of this update. The more efficient processor and OLED display already help conserve power, and this latest update enhances those advantages even further.
More Battery-Saving Features on the Way
Valve has consistently worked to improve the Steam Deck’s power efficiency since its release in 2022. Previous updates introduced optimized fan curves, improved sleep/wake performance, and per-game GPU clock controls to help users maximize battery life.
Currently, this battery-saving update is only available for Beta channel users, but it will roll out to all Steam Deck owners in the coming weeks. Valve’s commitment to refining the Steam Deck experience proves once again why this handheld gaming PC remains a favorite among gamers.
