The Nintendo Switch OLED has a sleeker design than the original LCD version, a larger, more vibrant display, enhanced audio and double the internal storage – though still no 4K.
for
- large 7 inch screen
- Perfect Black; exact color
- the speakers sound great
against
- no upgrade to tv mode
- Interior specs remain the same
- Still worried about stability
The most recent Nintendo Switch is on par with the OLED version in terms of performance, screen resolution, and battery life. But you miss out on a bigger screen and a more immersive experience.
for
- cheaper than OLED
- bright, crisp, colorful screen
- the same performance
against
- Display is not that vibrant
- large bezel
- seems a bit old now
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED Hybrid is an important conversation to be conducted by console fanatics. Both consoles showcase home and handheld capabilities, but as the Nintendo Switch begins to show its age, OLED steps up. But is it worth spending a little extra money for a beautiful display?
The launch of the original Nintendo Switch console in 2017 was pretty revolutionary, and it still manages to display some pretty impressive graphics in today’s digital environment. Although it doesn’t offer much when placed next to the PS5, it still has its quirks. So even though the Nintendo Switch doesn’t improve on OLED performance but focuses on graphical fidelity and looks, the pair still have a lot of fighting to do when compared.
However, these are not the only two options. The Switch Lite also launched back in 2019 as a handheld-only option that lacked the regular Switch’s removable Joy-Con controllers. For some wanting the hybrid design of the original Switch, this is a major deal-breaker. For those only interested in playing remotely or playing handheld games, this is an affordable option. In 2019, Nintendo also released a refreshed version of the original Nintendo Switch, which featured an improved battery life.
In this guide, we’ll look at why the Switch OLED is a better choice than the original LCD version, and what other upgrades you get if you choose the Nintendo Switch OLED. That doesn’t mean the original Switch isn’t right for you, though. Read on to find out more.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Price
The Nintendo Switch OLED is priced at $350 / £309 / AU$539, and was released on October 8, 2021. That’s $50 / £30 / AU$90 more than the original Nintendo Switch, which at launch cost $300 / £279 / AU$449. , However, since the launch of OLED, the base model has seen a slight drop in price, now retailing for £259.99 / $259.99 / AU$435 instead.
Given their popularity, we rarely see any model enjoying a discount. That applies for most current-gen consoles these days, but below, you’ll find a roundup of any Nintendo Switch deals that Huh Live now
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Design
The Nintendo Switch OLED looks very similar to the original Switch after its 2019 refresh. It features removable Joy-Con controllers, the same button layout, and even offers the familiar bright neon blue and red color scheme.
However, the version you’ve seen online for the Switch OLED is the new White version. This more sober, enhanced color scheme is the kind of outfit we’ve come to expect to see from the rumored Nintendo Switch Pro. The Switch OLED may not be the Switch Pro, but it’s the closest we’ve come so far. Several leaks previously hinting at the Pro were found in this redesign.
You will also find some other significant changes in the design. The thick bezels on the original Switch’s display have been reduced significantly, and the 6.2-inch LCD panel has been replaced with a 7-inch OLED panel.
This gives the new Switch a less dated look and means there isn’t a significant difference in the size of the new model, despite the use of a larger screen. It’s 0.1 inch taller, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H).
Because of that, any Joy-Con controller you’ve bought before will work just fine with the Nintendo Switch OLED. assuming they had not previously suffered from the notorious joy-con drift, he is. The new console uses the same ‘rail’ system for such stuff.
Nintendo has also reworked the Switch’s kickstand to make it less fragile. It now runs across the back of the console, which we found keeps it upright more securely. The stand is also adjustable as well, allowing for different display angles when playing in tabletop mode.
You wouldn’t know it from a glance but Nintendo also redesigned the speaker of the Switch OLED. They still sit below the handheld, one on each side, and provide enhanced audio over the original speakers. They’re far more punchy, more punchy, and don’t distort at max volume.
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As before, the OLED Switch comes with a dock so you can play games on your TV. However, it doesn’t offer the 4K output expected in the Nintendo Switch Pro console. Docked and 1080p remains the maximum output resolution, and the display is 720p when playing in handheld mode.
An Ethernet (LAN) port is the only extra we get. Get a cable from your home Internet router and plug it into the dock for a more reliable signal than the Switch’s own Wi-Fi connection. You can still get a wired internet connection when docked to the original Switch, but that requires a separate purchase lan adapter (opens in new tab),
Nintendo has doubled the internal storage of the Switch OLED from 32GB to 64GB. As before, you can also add a microSD card to the Nintendo Switch if you need more space, supporting up to 2TB of additional storage. Battery life remains the same as the refreshed Nintendo Switch at 4.5 to nine hours. That’s better than the Launch Switch’s 2.5 to 6.5 hours, but the OLED Switch doesn’t bring any real improvement here.
There are tons of accessories you can find to upgrade your experience with all versions of the Nintendo Switch console, but we particularly like the ZenGrip Pro OLED. It adds handles to the console in handheld mode, making it easier and more comfortable to hold because it’s otherwise completely flat.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Display
Here’s the interesting part: The new Nintendo Switch has an OLED screen. These display panels have emissive pixels, which means that the dark parts of the screen image will appear completely inky black, even when you play under the covers in complete darkness.
With a standard Nintendo Switch, blacks look a bit gray in these situations. The OLED Switch is much better suited for bed-time gaming than older models, which helps differentiate Nintendo’s already colorful art style even more. It’s also the biggest screen ever put on a Switch console. That’s 6.2 inches across for the original Nintendo Switch and 5.5 inches for the Switch Lite for 7 inches across.
Just keep in mind that there is no change in resolution. The Nintendo Switch OLED 1280 x 720 pixel display remains. Many expected a bump to 1080p (and there were even rumors of a 4K offering) in this “next generation” design, but that never materialized.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Power
While the OLED screen makes games richer, bolder and more immersive than before, the new Switch console doesn’t boost performance in any way. The Switch OLED has the same Nvidia custom Tegra processor and RAM as the standard Switch model, so there’s no performance upgrade under the hood.
That means it won’t unlock any new potential for developers to bring a more comprehensive range of games to the new console. As such, it can’t really be compared to previous mid-generation console upgrades, such as the New Nintendo 3DS, PS4 Pro, or Xbox One X. What this means though, is the Switch OLED will be able to play all the same games as the Switch – and vice versa.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Verdict
If you were hoping for a Nintendo Switch Pro with a 1080p screen and 4K output on your living room TV, the Nintendo Switch OLED won’t quite meet that demand. The games will feel similar, but at least they look prettier when playing in handheld mode and tabletop mode, which is the main draw.
So, if you’re mostly playing dock, the Switch OLED doesn’t offer much new. The Ethernet port on the dock is welcome, as is the increase in storage to 64GB, but ultimately, we’d say the Nintendo Switch is a clear case of evolution over the OLED revolution.