SteamOS 3.7.8 adds support for Legion Go S & ROG Ally handhelds and better battery control
Valve’s SteamOS 3.7.8 brings a substantial set of platform updates for Steam Deck and other handheld gaming devices. This version adopts Linux kernel 6.11 and a newer Arch Linux base, expanding compatibility and laying the groundwork for future enhancements. The desktop mode moves to KDE Plasma 6.2.5, providing a refreshed graphical user interface.
Alongside these core changes, SteamOS 3.7.8 officially supports the Lenovo Legion Go S and improves compatibility with handhelds powered by AMD chips, such as the ROG Ally and original Legion Go. Users also benefit from updates to the Mesa graphics driver, the addition of frame limiting on variable refresh rate displays, and the introduction of battery charge limit controls within the power settings — features aimed at improving gaming experience and device longevity.
SteamOS 3.7.8 enhances Bluetooth by enabling headset microphone profiles (HFP/HSP), displaying battery levels for compatible wireless devices, fixing a known issue with AirPods using the AAC codec, and allowing Bluetooth controllers to wake LCD units from sleep. The update further enables AMD P-State CPU frequency management, adds support for the Proteus Byowave controller, and updates the SteamOS recovery image for easier repairs on supported hardware. Additional improvements cover desktop surround sound, display compatibility, and a range of smaller fixes and optimizations.
- Linux Distro
- Free • Open Source
Related news
External links
- SteamOS 3.7.8: Go CountrySteam • Official source
- SteamOS 3.7 Stable Rolls Out With Updated Linux Kernel, Expanding AMD Handheld SupportPhoronix
- Valve releases SteamOS 3.7.8 with new features for Steam Deck and Lenovo Legion Go S supportNeowin
- SteamOS 3.7.8 update brings battery 80% limit, SteamOS for ROG Ally and Legion GogHacks
- Steam Deck gets a big upgrade with SteamOS 3.7 and you can now install it on other AMD handheldsGamingOnLinux
- Arch Linux-based SteamOS 3.7.8 update brings Plasma 6, better battery controls, and Legion Go S supportBetaNews
Comments
This is great news. Valve single handedly made Arch more accessible for your average consumer and made it game friendly out of the box. Now they are supporting other third party devices.
Hopefully, they will eventually have better support for ARM and x86 chips for PC users so it can be a serious competitor to Windows when it comes to video games.
Competing with Windows is not on their plans for now as stated in an interview from SteamOS devs.
I don't think neither that Valve has any incentive to compete with Windows (given how much Windows is used to run Stream), but StreamOS could impose itself by being free (the Linux-based Legion Go S (lowest-end version) was introduced at $500, when the Windows version was $100, so 20%, more expensive). And given how Chinese manufacturers (so Lenovo, not Asus, well yet) may loose the right for Windows licenses (as Huawei), this could certainly help StreamOS to be installed by default on more devices.