Steam Deck and Switch 2 performance compared in Cyberpunk 2077, with one handheld thriving when docked

Before the Switch 2 release date, leaks showed how Nintendo's console handled Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition. With one of the more demanding Switch 2 games, videos suggested superior performance compared to the Steam Deck. Still, it wasn't until recently that benchmarkers could run head-to-head tests. In a new analysis, Digital Foundry found that one handheld has some clear advantages.

Since the Steam Deck and Switch 2 specs have notable differences, the site levels the playing field as best as possible. The tests included the official Cyberpunk benchmark, the Kabuki streaming run, and The Beast in Me sequence. Digital Foundry also notes that the Switch 2 is intended for hybrid home use, while Valve sells the Steam Deck dock separately.

Docked mode is where Nintendo's handheld outshines its rival. In quality mode in Cyberpunk 2077, the Switch 2 is generally able to maintain 30 fps. Also, with the help of DLSS, the console exhibits more stable frame rates at higher resolutions than the Steam Deck. In some benchmarks, the docked Valve machine struggles to match Switch 2 performance, even aided by FSR3 or XeSS. Performance mode generates similar results, although the Nintendo console often runs below 40 fps.

When used as a handheld, the Steam Deck more than holds its own against the Switch 2. In the Kabuki streaming run, the Nintendo console often falls well below 30 fps. Meanwhile, the Steam Deck is more consistent, leading the testers to suspect that its CPU is better suited for some challenges.

Efficiency is another area where the Switch 2 specs enable it to outperform the Steam Deck. Drawing less current, the Nintendo system matches or exceeds the performance of Valve's handheld during Cyberpunk 2077. On the other hand, the Steam Deck has a significantly larger battery to compensate for its higher power consumption.

Especially with more third-party AAA Switch 2 games arriving, Nintendo may offer a better candidate for home use. Still, benchmarks can't account for the appeal of the upgraded Steam Deck's OLED screen. Even at a lower resolution, gamers may find its overall image quality and HDR implementation a cut above.