Valve is currently testing a new feature for the Steam Deck that allows for low-power downloads without keeping the handheld’s display on. This feature is part of a recent update available on the Steam Deck’s Beta and Preview channels. According to Valve, the device can now complete all ongoing downloads in a low-power mode while the screen is off, right before entering sleep mode.
Previously, there were concerns regarding the power usage associated with downloading. Yazan Aldehayyat, a Valve hardware engineer, highlighted that downloading games consumes a significant amount of power, which could lead to overheating if the device was mistakenly left on in a bag. The newly announced solution appears to address these issues.
With this update, users can press the power button during an active download and receive a prompt asking if they wish to continue downloading while the screen is turned off. If the user opts to continue, the Steam Deck will enter this low-power mode. In this mode, any button press or movement of the Steam Deck will display a status screen showing the download progress, allowing users to either wake the device fully or let it continue downloading with the screen off.
This feature is enabled by default when the Steam Deck is plugged into a power source. Users also have the option to activate it while operating on battery, but if the battery charge falls below 20%, the device will automatically switch to full sleep mode.
This development may help improve the user experience for those who frequently download large files on their Steam Deck devices.
Source: https://www.theverge.com/news/813864/valve-steam-deck-screen-download-games-low-power-screen-off