Steam Deck: Cutting-Edge Gaming Technology Powered by SteamOS 3.5

16 Jul Steam Deck: Cutting-Edge Gaming Technology Powered by SteamOS 3.5

Valve has released the beta version of SteamOS 3.5, the operating system behind the Steam Deck. Among the changes users will find on the handheld device are performance improvements, display adjustments, and optimizations for games like Starfield.

To start with, the Steam Deck now boasts an improved display. Through the console’s settings, users will find a new option to adjust screen colors. Specifically, it’s now possible to tweak both the intensity and temperature of the color, with selectable color profiles such as Native, sRGB, and Enhanced.

If black bars on certain Steam Deck games have been bothering you, this update offers a fix. SteamOS 3.5 introduces a new scaling feature that allows games not running in full-screen mode to be stretched to fit the display—though this may slightly distort the image. HDR and VRR can also be enabled, provided your external monitor and USB-C adapter support them.

Graphics drivers have been updated as well, leading to notable performance improvements in titles like Starfield.

The system’s Linux ARCH base has been upgraded, along with the Plasma desktop interface. Users will now see a refreshed app store, new widgets, and a window tiling system designed to enhance desktop usability.

SteamOS 3.5 goes even deeper, offering new BIOS-level settings for the Steam Deck. A new voltage adjustment option allows users to fine-tune power consumption and performance, giving more control over how the console behaves during demanding sessions.