I normally don’t have an issue with opening up the device to replace parts etc. But when opening up this new oled model the pull tab on the battery cable separated from the plastic head and the head is really stiff/stuck in there. So unfortunately rather than risk it with a new device that can be returned, I contacted valve to try and start an rma. We’ll see, it’s unfortunate since the screen doesn’t have any of the dead pixel problems that some other people are reporting, if it wasn’t for this one thing I’m on the fence on, I’d probably keep it.

I can push the dpad around laterally within the cutout, but this is pretty normal for devices/controllers as far as I know. My analogue pocket, for example, does it quite a bit with no issues. My old lcd steam deck does it as well, but to a lesser degree.

When you have the clicking sound when the dpad is further laterally downwards, do you also sometimes get the half press with it not registering? I don’t get the half press symptom with any other direction, can’t even do a half press.
I’m debating whether to send it back about this issue or not. I’d rather just open it up and fix it, but don’t want to mess things up when it’s new and still has the option of rma’ing it.