Our mini review of the RC0106 RGB Transparent Backplate from Jsaux
What are the features?
The Jsaux RGB Back Plate enhances your Steam Deck with Unicorn Puke RGB lighting.
You're able to choose from five vibrant colors—red, green, blue, purple, and the fantastic RGB cycling mode— While the RGB lights themselves are not customizable beyond these options, they undoubtedly add some flare and character to your Steam Deck whilst also being effortless to install and operate.
Beyond its visual appeal, the back plate is intelligently designed for optimal cooling. Its heat dissipation ventilation hole improves airflow, effectively dissipating heat during intense gaming sessions and with a thermally conductive silicone pad and a heat-dissipation aluminum sheet, overheating and excess fan noise become a thing of the past.
An impressive feature is the built-in battery, seamlessly installed without requiring any soldering. This ensures the RGB lights function independently, without draining your Steam Deck's battery life and makes the installation itself a breeze.
Moreover, the inclusion of interchangeable "back buttons" with different lengths allows you to customize your Steam Deck to achieve your desired button feel, putting complete control in your hands. There are 3 included styles or lengths (Stock, Medium and Long) so there should be something to suit your preferences, we're a big fan of the largest/longest option as it makes the buttons a lot easier to press, without being so easy that missclicks happen.
What about those grips?
The Jsaux Steam Deck Replacement Back Plate comes with an impressive addition that significantly enhances the overall ergonomics of the Steam Deck - comfortable rubber grips. These grips offer excellent comfort, providing players with a secure and pleasant feel during extended gaming sessions.
The soft and durable material ensures a reliable grip, allowing gamers to maintain precise control over their gameplay. The thoughtful inclusion of these grips improves comfort, making it easier to handle the Steam Deck for extended periods, they really do feel great in the hands.
However, it's essential to consider that the rubber grips slightly reduce the vibrancy and visual impact of the RGB lights. While they enhance comfort, there is a trade-off between ultimate ergonomic support and the RGB's bright aesthetics, however this is subjective and you may actually prefer the aesthetics of the rubber grips, in our case, we did not (especially from the front of the device). Luckily using them is completely optional, and without them the feel of the injection moulded housing is identical to OEM.
The included tools?
The Jsaux Steam Deck Replacement Back Plate kit comes packed with an array of high-quality accessories to ensure a seamless and hassle-free installation process. Notably, the metal screwdriver stands out as a standout tool, as I actually prefered this over the professional "iFixIt" screw driver I usually use. Infact I really don't understand how Jsaux include such high quality accessories at their price points but hey, let's not ask questions.
Included in the package are the following accessories:
Metal screwdriver: Featuring exceptional build quality, this tool is a pleasure to use and adds convenience to the installation process. No other tools are needed.
Spudger Stick: A plastic pry tool that won't damage the plastics on your Steam Deck.
Thermal pad (pre-attached to the backplate): Ensures optimal heat dissipation, contributing to a smooth gaming experience.
OEM style buttons: Replaceable back buttons that mimic the default Steam Decks buttons.
Mid height buttons: Additional set of buttons with a medium height level, offering a balance between the original buttons and something with a little more tactile feedback
Maximum height buttons: Another set of buttons with maxium height, these offer a significant amount of leverage that make the rear buttons much easier to press (We prefer these!)
Spare screws: A complete set of spare screws in the rare event one is lost or damaged during installation.
Anti-static finger gloves: Ensures safe handling and assembly, protecting the delicate electronics of the Steam Deck from static discharge whilst also keeping the transparent plastic finger print free.
Were there any negatives?
While we were delighted with the overall quality of the Jsaux RGB Back Plate. After installation we observed a potential concern with the USB-C charging port. While the back plate's quality is commendable, the charging port appears to be of slightly lower quality and the weakest link of this device. When connecting a USB cable to our unit, there is a faint buzzing sound for a few seconds, and the cables don't sit entirely flush in the port. Additionally, the port's placement restricts the Steam Deck from lying flat on its back while charging with most cables (including the cable that the backplate itself ships with). We'll be sure the update this review if any long term issues arise.
Final Verdict and Recommendation
In conclusion, the Jsaux RGB Back Plate for the Steam Deck is an exceptional product that enhances your Steam Decks aesthetics and elevates your gaming experience. Its mesmerizing RGB lighting, combined with its efficient cooling capabilities, makes it an ideal choice for enthusiasts seeking to customize and optimize their Steam Deck.
The added comfort from the rubber grips enhances ergonomics, though it may slightly dim the RGB lights. However, this small compromise is well worth it, considering the overall comfort it provides during gameplay. Infact, the diffusion that the rubber grips offer show a more smooth "RGB Strobe" without the indivial lights being visible at all.
And Jsaux's commitment to quality is evident in the premium accessories included, making installation a breeze.
In the end, we recommend the Jsaux RGB Back Plate. It's an interesting product that unlocks both exceptional aesthetics and a nice cooling boost too, and it is the best way we've seen to spice up your Steam Deck.
If you're interested in purchasing one of these for yourself, you can visit the Jsaux product page at https://www.jsaux.com/HandheldSpace and use the discount code "HandheldSpace" for 5% off with free global shipping. Our installation services for these products are also available HERE