The Steam Deck now has a low-power, display off download mode, a feature that’s been dearly sought after by users for a good while.
This will allow Steam Deck users to complete all active downloads without chugging through battery life, entering sleep mode once the downloads are finished. This can be accessed by users by pressing the power button during a download and selecting the new low-power download option, or it can occur automatically during an idle timeout.
During this low-power download mode, pressing the power button or moving the Steam Deck will cause a new status screen to pop up showing the progress of the download. The Steam Deck will automatically enter sleep mode during this new low-power download if the battery life falls below 20%.
If this sounds like a feature you’d be interested in trying out, you can do so now via the Beta or Preview channels. If you’ve not actually got a Steam Deck to place into this new low-power mode, you could always read our Steam Deck review for an idea of what the handheld is like.
Alternatively, if you’re feeling especially fancy or are looking for a nice present idea for the holidays, why not read our Steam Deck OLED review too! In it, the reviewer Rich Leadbetter writes: “Across its lifespan, Steam Deck has outstripped expectations – and with Steam Deck OLED, Valve is set to do it again. This is an exceptional piece of kit.”
