Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch - what's different?

Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED is worth looking into for fans of the handheld console who're looking to upgrade to the fancier model. Both showcase their docked and handheld capabilities well, but with the Nintendo Switch starting to show its age, the OLED has since stepped up with newer features, extended storage and better panel technology.

The original Nintendo Switch console was refreshing back in 2017, and it still manages to present impressive visuals despite its aging Tegra X1 processor. And while the Nintendo Switch OLED doesn’t improve performance, it stands out thanks to its gorgeous OLED display and doubled storage capacity.

These aren’t the only two options, though. The Nintendo Switch Lite also launched back in 2019 as a handheld-only option, lacking the regular Switch’s removable Joy-Con controllers. For some people keen on the hybrid design of the original Switch, that’s a major deal-breaker, but a solid option if you're mostly keen on handheld play. In the same year, Nintendo also released a refreshed version of the original Nintendo Switch, boasting an improved battery life.

In this guide, we’ll look at why the Nintendo Switch OLED is a better option when compared to the original LCD version, and the other upgrades you get if you choose the updated flagship. We're going through everything here to help you make an informed purchasing decision.

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 was at launch, which instead costs $300 / £279 / AU$449. However, since the OLED's launch, the original model saw a small price reduction, now retailing for £259.99 / $259.99 / AU$435 instead.

Given their popularity, we rarely see either model enjoy discounts. That applies for most current-gen consoles these days, but below, you'll find a roundup of any Nintendo Switch deals that are live right now. 

Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch - design

The Nintendo Switch OLED looks similar to the original Switch after its 2019 refresh. It has removable Joy-Con controllers, the same button layout, and even offers that familiar bright Neon Blue and Red color scheme. 

However, the version you’ve likely seen online for the Switch OLED is the new White version. This more sedate, grown-up color scheme is the sort of garb we expected 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 for now. Many of the leaks previously believed to point to the Pro are found in this redesign.

You’ll find some other important design changes, too. The thick bezels of the original Switch's display have been significantly trimmed down, and the 6.2-inch LCD panel has been replaced with a vibrant 7-inch OLED panel.

This gives the new Switch a less-dated appearance and means there's no significant difference in size with the new model, despite the use of a larger screen. It's 0.1 inches longer, at 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H).

Because of that, any Joy-Con controllers you previously bought will work just fine with the Nintendo Switch OLED. Assuming they weren’t previously suffering from notorious Joy-Con drift, that is. The new console uses the same 'rail' system for such accessories. 

Nintendo has reworked the Switch's kickstand to make it much less fragile, too. It now runs across much of the console's back, 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 Switch OLED's speakers. They still sit on the bottom of the handheld, one to each side, and offer enhanced audio over the original speakers. They're far punchier, more impactful, and don't distort at maximum volume.

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As before, the OLED Switch comes with a dock to let you play games on your TV. However, it does not offer the 4K output many hoped for in a Nintendo Switch Pro console. Playing docked and 1080p remains the max output resolution, and the display is 720p when playing in handheld mode.

An Ethernet (LAN) port is the extra we do get. tgake a cable from your home internet router and plug it into the dock for a more reliable signal than you'd see from the Switch's own Wi-Fi connection. You can still get a wired internet connection when playing docked on the original Switch, but this requires buying a separate LAN Adapter.

Nintendo has doubled Switch OLED's internal storage from 32GB to 64GB. Like before, you can also add a microSD card for Nintendo Switch if you need more room, supporting up to 2TB of extra storage. Battery life remains the same as the refreshed Nintendo Switch at 4.5 to nine hours. This is better than the launch Switch's 2.5 to 6.5 hours, but the OLED Switch brings no real improvement here.

There's numerous accessories you can get to upgrade your experience with all versions of the Nintendo Switch console, but we particularly like the ZenGrip Pro OLED. This adds handles to the console while in handheld mode, making it easier and more comfortable to hold since 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 black parts of the screen image will look perfectly inky black even if you play under the covers in perfect darkness. 

With a standard Nintendo Switch, blacks end up looking slightly gray in these conditions. The OLED Switch is much better for bed-time gaming than the old model, helping Nintendo's already colorful art style stand out even more. This is also the largest screen put into a Switch console yet. It measures 7 inches across, up from the 6.2 inches of the original Nintendo Switch and the 5.5 inches of the Switch Lite.

Just be aware that there is no change in resolution. The Nintendo Switch OLED remains a 1280 x 720 pixel display. Many had hoped for 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 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. 

That means it won't unlock any new potential for developers to bring more comprehensive games to the new console. As such, it can’t really be compared to previous mid-generation console upgrades, like the New Nintendo 3DS, PS4 Pro, or Xbox One X. What it does mean 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 to your living room TV, the Nintendo Switch OLED won't meet that demand. Games will feel the same, 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 docked, 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 OLED is a clear case of evolution over revolution.

Looking to improve your Nintendo Switch experience? Consider browsing our guides to the best Nintendo Switch games and best Nintendo Switch controllers for all the best hardware and software recommendations.