eXtremeRate Replacement Full Set Shell with Buttons for Steam Deck OLED - White

Case looks really awesome in person compared to the pictures. Fitment is mostly there, but the one I got has a slight gap where the top vent is. Gap is not noticeable to anyone else upon first glance, but since I know it’s there, it bothers me a bit. Also, it seems the tolerances for the screen gap is not as precise and tight as Valve’s, so there is a slight gap along the bottom of my deck screen. And maybe it’s user error, but my screen is slightly raised at all 4 corners. I cleaned all the old adhesive off and applied the included new adhesive strips. Overall, a solid shell and it looks awesome.

Before doing a full shell swap on my OLED steam deck, I was nervous. Seeing stories on reddit where people broke their screens or took them 6-8 hours to do it made me very apprehensive and almost regretted buying it. I also play on it often, so I knew any time I was working on it, I wouldn't be able to play it. If I did damage it, that would be more time without it waiting on spare parts.

2 weeks after getting it in the mail, I decided it's time. I wanted my white shell with gold buttons. I'm going to put the time aside to work on it. I had the thought in my head that it would take 6+ hours so I made sure I had enough time to finish it in 1 day.

I had replaced my SSD so I was familiar with opening it up and had no fear as I got to work. I got to the screen removal part and that's when I was most nervous. It was surprisingly easy. It took patience and the video tells you to start on the bottom left corner, but I couldn't for the life of me get a pick under that corner. I went to the bottom right corner and it was loose, I was able to slide a pick under the corner easily. Using multiple picks, I slid around the edges carefully and left picks in on each side. I finally had all the edges up and it came off. That probably took 30-45 minutes including the heat gun. Everything else was very smooth and easy. The video guide was excellent but (to my knowledge) left out 1 step. Putting in the clear plastic dot that covers the LED light next to the power button wasn't in the video. By the time I realized it, I had my deck about 90% back together. I wish I didn't forget it, but it's not THAT important. So I have a little hole in that spot. I also did a little different order than the guide suggests, I installed the screen almost at the very end. I wanted to test it and make sure it turned on before I used the adhesive to secure the screen back in place, so I did everything else, plugged the screen ribbon in without adhesive and used some masking tape to secure it to the front. Powered up and it worked, so then I used the adhesive strips and stuck it on.

Overall, it took about 4 hours including clean up. Much less time than anticipated. Now that I'm more familiar with it and the confidence I have, if I did it again, I could definitely do it in 2-3 hours. Totally worth it! The sense of accomplishment alone was a great feeling. I also have a very unique and 1 of a kind steam deck (as far as I know).

Also - I didn't swap the TouchPads. That probably would have added another 30-60 minutes. I kept the original black ones cause I have a black case and black joysticks. I think it looks great this way. I considered it, but I think it would have been too much gold and that part seemed like a pain in the butt.

Overall very satisfied with the purchase. I definitely wish I put that little clear dot it, I'm 99% sure nobody else would even notice it missing, but I know it's not there and it bothers me. One day I'll open it up again and put it in! Just definitely not now!! Lol