The Nintendo Switch OLED has a more flattering design than the original LCD version, with a larger, more vibrant screen, improved sound, and double the internal storage — it’s still not 4K though.
to
- 7 inch larger screen
- Perfect blacks, accurate colors
- The speakers sound great
against
- No upgrades in TV mode
- The internal specifications remain the same
- Durability concerns remain
The latest Nintendo Switch equals the OLED version in terms of equal performance, screen resolution, and battery life. But you’re missing out on a bigger screen and a more immersive experience.
to
- Cheaper than OLED
- Bright and clear color screen
- Same performance
against
- The screen is not vibrant
- larger edges
- It looks a bit outdated now
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED is a lively conversation that hybrid console fanatics are having. Both consoles display home and portable capabilities, but as the Nintendo Switch starts to show its age, OLED steps in. But is it worth spending a little extra money for a nicer screen?
The launch of the original Nintendo Switch console in 2017 was pretty revolutionary, and it still manages to display some reasonably impressive graphics in today’s digital climate. While it doesn’t offer much when placed next to the PS5, it still has its quirks. So, even though the Nintendo Switch OLED does not improve on performance but rather focuses on resolution and graphical appearances, the pair still has a lot to contend with when comparing.
However, these are not the only two options. The Switch Lite also launched in 2019 as a handheld-only option, lacking the regular removable Joy-Con controllers. For some folks keen on the original Switch’s hybrid design, this is a huge deal breaker. For those who are only interested in remote gaming or mobile gaming, it’s a cheaper option. In 2019, Nintendo also released an updated version of the original Nintendo Switch, which featured improved battery life.
In this guide, we’ll look at why the Switch OLED is a better option than the original LCD version and what other upgrades you get if you choose the Nintendo Switch OLED. Although this does not necessarily mean that the original key is not suitable for you. Read on to find out more.
Comparison of Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Price
The Nintendo Switch OLED costs $350 / £309 / AU$539 and was released on October 8, 2021. That’s $50 / £30 / AU$90 more than the original Nintendo Switch at launch, which instead cost $300 / £279 / AU$449. However, since the launch of OLED, the original model has seen a slight price drop, now retailing at £259.99 / $259.99 / AU$435 instead.
Due to their popularity, we rarely see either model with discounts. This applies to most current-gen consoles these days, but below, you’ll find a roundup of any of the Nintendo Switch deals you’ve got. We are Live now.
Comparison of Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch: Design
The Nintendo Switch OLED looks similar to the original Switch after its 2019 update. It has removable Joy-Con controllers, the same button layout, and even offers the familiar neon blue and red color scheme.
However, the version you’ve likely seen online for the Switch OLED is the new white one. The more sober and adult 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 this is the closest we’ll get right now. Numerous leaks previously thought to refer to the Pro have been found in this redesign.
You’ll find some other significant changes in the design, too. The original Switch display’s thick bezels have been significantly reduced, and the 6.2-inch LCD panel has been replaced by a vibrant 7-inch OLED panel.
This gives the new Switch a less dated look and means there isn’t much difference in size with the new model, despite using a larger screen. It is 0.1″ taller, 9.5″ x 0.55″ x 4″ (W x D x H).
For this reason, any Joy-Con controllers you previously purchased will work just fine with the Nintendo Switch OLED. Assuming they hadn’t had a bad reputation previously Joy Con Drift, it’s a. The new console uses the same “rail” system for such accessories.
Nintendo reworked the Switch’s kickstand to make it less fragile, too. It now extends across much of the back of the console, which we found keeps it in a more secure position. The stand is also adjustable, allowing for different viewing angles when playing in tabletop mode.
You wouldn’t know it at a glance but Nintendo also redesigned the Switch OLED speakers. They still sit on the bottom of the mobile device, one on each side, and deliver enhanced sound over the original speakers. It is more powerful, impactful and does not distort at maximum volume.
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As before, the OLED Switch comes with a dock that lets you play games on your TV. However, it does not offer the 4K output that many would hope for in a Nintendo Switch Pro console. Playback in docked mode and 1080p remains the maximum output resolution, and the screen is 720p when playing in handheld mode.
An ethernet (LAN) port is the extra thing we get. Grab a cable from your home internet router and plug it into the dock to get a more reliable signal than what you see from the Switch’s Wi-Fi connection. You can still get a wired Internet connection when playing on the original Switch, but this requires the purchase of a separate device LAN adapter (Opens in a new tab).
Nintendo has doubled the Switch OLED’s internal storage from 32GB to 64GB. As before, you can also add a microSD card for Nintendo Switch if you need more space that supports up to 2TB of additional storage. Battery life remains the same as on the updated Nintendo Switch, from 4.5 to 9 hours. That’s better than the 2.5- to 6.5-hour startup time, but the OLED Switch doesn’t make any real improvement here.
There are many accessories you can get to upgrade your experience with all versions of the Nintendo Switch console, but we especially like the ZenGrip Pro OLED. This adds grips to the controller while in handheld mode, making it easier and more comfortable to hold because it otherwise lays completely flat.
Comparison of Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: Display
Here’s the interesting part: The new Nintendo Switch has an OLED display. These display panels have emissive pixels, which means the black portions of the screen image will look completely grainy black even if you’re playing under the covers in complete darkness.
With a standard Nintendo Switch, the blacks end up looking a bit gray in these conditions. The OLED Switch is much better for old-fashioned bedtime gaming, which helps highlight Nintendo’s already colorful art style even more. This is also the largest screen that’s been placed on a Switch console to date. It measures 7 inches, up from 6.2 inches for the original Nintendo Switch and 5.5 inches for the Switch Lite.
Just be aware that there is no change in accuracy. The Nintendo Switch OLED remains at 1280 x 720 pixels. Many were hoping for a bump to 1080p (and there were rumors of a 4K display) in this “next-gen” design, but it never materialized.
Comparison of Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch: Power
While the OLED display makes games look 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.
This means that it will not open any new possibilities for developers to bring more comprehensive games to the new console. As such, it can’t really compare to previous mid-generation console upgrades, such as the New Nintendo 3DS, PS4 Pro, or Xbox One X. What it does mean, however, is that the Switch OLED will be able to play the same games as the Switch — and vice versa.
Comparison of Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch: Verdict
If you were hoping for a Nintendo Switch Pro with a 1080p display and 4K output for your living room TV, the Nintendo Switch OLED won’t meet that demand. Games will feel the same, but at least they’ll look nicer when played in handheld mode and tabletop mode, which is the main draw.
So if you mostly play in docked mode, the Switch OLED doesn’t offer a ton of new features. We welcome the Ethernet port on the dock, as well as the storage increase to 64GB, but in the end, we’d say the Nintendo Switch OLED is a clear case of evolution over revolution.