SteamOS 3.3 for Steam Deck: Valve optimizes handheld PC performance and 5GHz Wi-Fi

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With the release of SteamOS 3.3, the latest version of the Linux operating system adapted to the Steam Deck based on Arch Linux, Valve is now optimizing the performance of its Zen 2 RDNA engine, among other things. 2 handheld gaming PCs and their Wi-Fi reception via the 5 GHz network. The release notes are extensive this time.

SteamOS 3.3 is a big facelift for the Steam Deck

In addition to new device drivers and an updated firmware, which should ensure higher compatibility and more performance as well as improved Wi-Fi stability, Valve also improves audio and Bluetooth as well as input devices, among other things, and now supports new and upcoming revisions of known controllers. The desktop mode is also being updated.

Valve optimizes almost all areas

The official release notes of SteamOS 3.3 and the latest Steam Deck Client update that comes with it also list several improvements for installing and updating apps via Flatpak – for example Firefox – and the Discover Software Center from KDE Plasma.

< p class="p text-width">Also new are the KDE Plasma Classic Theme (“VGUI2”) and improved support for 32-bit games that use the open Advanced Linux Sound Architecture (ALSA).

General

  • Added Achievements page to overlay (while in-game press Steam button)
  • Added Guides page to overlay (while in-game press Steam button)
  • Added notification when Steam Deck temperature goes outside the safe operating range
  • Added a scheduled night mode feature, allowing players to choose if and when they'd like night mode to automatically turn on
  • Added a button to clear entered text in search bar
  • Adaptive Brightness toggle is now active again
  • Fixed notification for claiming digital rewards firing endlessly for some customers
  • Fixed issue with medium length game names in the Main Menu Overlay not properly scrolling
  • Fixed some issues with claiming Steam Deck digital rewards
  • Fixed sound playing for achievement progress notifications
  • < li>Fixed washed-out colors in the Remote Play client when playing with specific hosts

  • Fixed Xbox login window for Flight Simulator and Halo Infinite not rendering certain characters properly
Steam Input

  • Added missing Deck buttons for Gyro Enable and Button Chord options
  • Added support for game-bundled Virtual Menu icons in the in-game Deck UI
  • Miscellaneous performance improvements
Keyboards < ul class="text-ul">

  • Added support for Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Japanese, and Korean keyboard. We are still refining these keyboards, please provide feedback in the forums.
  • Added initial IBus IME input support on the desktop for Chinese, Japanese, and Korean keyboards
  • Fixed desktop mode keyboard sometimes failing to show or dismiss
  • Fixed on-screen keyboard showing up under the Steam or Quick Access menu
  • Updated keyboard behavior for improved fast typing on trackpad and touchscreen. (pressing a key while holding another key will now commit the held key instead of waiting for first to release)
  • Fixed some touch styling issues with the virtual keyboard
  • Performance/Stability

    • Fixed some performance problems for users with many screenshots
    • Fixed several crashes related to managing screenshots
    • Fixed several crashes related to non-Steam shortcuts
    • Fixed some native Linux games not exiting when force-quit through Steam
    • Fixed flatpak Chrome closing improperly when quit through Steam
    • Fixed a bug where some flatpak applications (like Edge) couldn't successfully quit
    • Fixed a performance issue with some games when the backlight changes intensity
    Desktop Mode

    • Updated Firefox to be installed as a Flatpak, rather than from the OS repositories, to ensure timely updates
    • First-time launches of Firefox from the desktop will now prompt for installation via the Discover Software Center, which will handle updates as they are published.
    • Updated network connections created/edited on the desktop to default to system-wide, ensuring they are available in gaming mode
    • Added VGUI2 Classic Plasma Desktop theme
    • Resized virtual keyboard in Desktop mode to the appropriate dimensions
    • Added support for the Qanba Obsidian and Qanba Dragon arcade sticks in Desktop mode
    Docked Mode

    • Added an option to scale the Steam Deck user interface for external displays
    • Added a toggle for automatic scaling of the Steam Deck user interface for external displays
    • Added ability to adjust image display settings for external displays that have overscan issues
    • Fixed the panel staying off when disconnecting from dock shortly after resuming from sleep
    • Fixed the panel backlight staying on while docked
    Audio/Bluetooth

    • Fixed Bluetooth profile selection not being saved when switching away from Desktop fashion
    • Fixed echo cancellation CPU overhead when the microphone isn't being used, improving power usage in idle or near-idle scenarios
    • Fixed multi-channel audio on external displays
    • Fixed audio out on some capture cards
    • Fixed some instances of corrupt audio after resuming from sleep
    • Fixed audio output with some 32-bit games that use ALSA
    Drivers/Firmware

    • Updated graphics driver with compatibility and performance fixes
    • Updated wireless driver with fixes for WiFi disconnection issues on 5Ghz
    • Updated controller firmware utilities to support future controller hardware revisions

    SteamOS 3.3 – Release Notes

    < h2 class="text-width text-h2" id="section_free_choice_in_den_development_branches">Free choice for the development branches

    Also new is the so-called “Update Channel Selector”, which now allows the user to choose between the three development branches “Stable”, “Beta” and “Preview” of the SteamOS operating system.

    System Updates

    • Added a new Steam Deck software update channel selector – there are now three options:
      • Stable: Recommended experience for most users. This option will install the latest stable Steam Client and SteamOS.
      • Beta:Testing for new Steam features. Updates frequently. This option will install Steam Client Beta and the latest stable SteamOS.
      • Preview: Testing for new Steam and system-level features. Updates frequently. You may encounter issues. This option will install Steam Client Beta and the SteamOS Beta.
    • You will only see patch notes for the update channel you've selected.

    SteamOS 3.3 – Update Channel Selector

    SteamOS 3.3 is already being distributed

    The rollout of SteamOS 3.3 and the included Steam Client update over The Stable Channel has already started and is happening in waves as usual.

    In terms of compatible games, things are also progressing quickly: Valve has tested around 2,000 games on the Steam Deck and Of these, 662 were classified as “Steam Deck Verified” and an additional 587 as “Steam Deck Playable”.

    • Tested games: 2,000
      • Games that are Steam Deck Verified: 662
      • Games that are playable with Steam Deck: 587
      • Games that are currently not playable are: 751
      • More details about the games

    How exactly are the criteria for the certificate Putting together “Steam Deck Verified” and how these are weighted the editors examined in more detail in October last year.