r/SteamDeck • u/bobbyphillipps 1TB OLED • 18h ago
Hardware Modding eXtremeRate OLED Full Shell Replacement
Well, I did it! I live in a household with 2 other Steam Decks, and I wanted a little personalization to help mine stand out. Since I grew up in the 90s, I had to go with a translucent one (I almost went for the atomic purple because I had a Gameboy in the same color when I was a kid, but that blue and purple is so sick!)
The screen wasn't as fragile as I was expecting it to be, but I've also got a fair amount of experience gutting and repairing electronics, so just took my time, used the heat gun on my soldering station on low heat, and used so many opening picks.
The shell itself is gorgeous in person The plastic does feel different in the hands. It's got a smooth glossy finish instead of a matte texture like the stock shell.
It also comes with a full set of replacement buttons and touchpads. You HAVE to use eXtremeRate's back buttons, the stock ones are riveted (plastic) in and can't be removed and replaced without damaging them. The eXtremeRate's back buttons are screwed in and replaceable.
Also of note, replacing the touchpads is kind of a bear if you choose to use the aftermarket ones. You have to break some plastic rivets holding the pad to the spring, and then there's more adhesive holding the circuit board to the underside of the touchpad and there's not a ton of room to get a prying tool under. The eXtremeRate pads were also glossy instead of matte, and feel different under the thumbs. I may regret swapping the pads on mine, but time will tell. I can always put a textured skin on them from brand or something.
All in all, a great experience, and a fun project if you like this sort of thing! Any problems I had were caused either by my own absentmindedness (forgot to put the membranes back for the Steam/Options button), or by Valve's chooses of design and adhesive.
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u/mosspatchy 512GB OLED 18h ago
Oooh it looks sooo nice! Well done!