AdminThe Nintendo Switch OLED is finally here and we’re excited about the new switch in the block. With a larger screen and a vibrant OLED display, there’s plenty to get excited about. Nintendo’s latest model comes with some much-needed quality-of-life improvements over the original model.
But how Nintendo Switch OLED compare to Nintendo Switch Lite, Nintendo’s portable device that was released in 2019? In this head-to-head comparison, we take a closer look at the Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch Lite. We hope this helps you decide which switch is right for you and what the significant differences are.
There’s more to consider when it comes to the Nintendo Switch OLED than just the price. Both consoles respond to different consumer needs. It doesn’t make the purchase decision any harder, though, so let’s compare and contrast the two models, shall we?
Whatever decision you make, it’s important to keep Black Friday 2022 in mind November 25. Hopefully we’ll be able to find some great Nintendo Switch OLED Black Friday deals this year.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch Lite: price and release date
The Nintendo Switch OLED costs $349.99 / £309 / AU$539 and launched on October 8, 2021. Technically, this is the fourth iteration of the Nintendo Switch console, as Nintendo refreshed the original model in 2019 with improved battery life and a more powerful processor, and also with the launch of the Nintendo Switch Lite.
Speaking of the Switch Lite, Nintendo’s portable model costs $199.99 / £199.99 / AU$329.95 and was released in 2019. This makes the Switch OLED model $150 more expensive than the Switch Lite, which is a significant saving for some.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch Lite: looks and features
The Nintendo Switch OLED looks almost identical to the original Switch console, with removable Joy-Con controllers, the same button layout, and the same available Neon Blue and Red color schemes – though it also has the classic White option. The biggest difference is the console’s beefy OLED screen, which is 7 inches compared to the original’s 6.2-inch display, with thinner bezels that give it a more modern look.
The Nintendo Switch OLED stand has also received an overhaul. It’s wider, more flexible, and allows you to set the console at a greater angle in tabletop mode. The OLED Switch also comes with better speakers and 64GB of internal storage – twice as much as the original. All this with a slight increase in the size and weight of the console.
Those who buy the Nintendo Switch OLED get access to a nicer dock than the original, which has rounded edges and a built-in Ethernet port for a more robust connection when playing online. Here’s what’s inside the Nintendo Switch OLED:
- Size: 9.5 x 0.55 x 4 inches (W x D x H)
- Libra: Approx. 0.71 lb / 0.93 lb with Joy-Con controllers attached
- Screen: Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 7 inch OLED screen
- Resolution: 1280×720 (720p)
- Processor/GPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra processor
- Storage: 64 GB (expandable with microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2 TB)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
- Video Output: Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode, 720p in handheld mode
- audio output: 5.1 Linear PCM
- Loudspeakers: stereo
- USB connector: USB Type-C for charging
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery life: about 4.5-9 hours
- Charging time: about 3 hours
Nintendo Switch Lite is a different proposition. It forgoes the hybrid nature of the Joy Con Switch OLED in favor of being portable, giving it the enviable advantage of being the only Switch with a dedicated D-Pad. However, you can’t play games on your TV or pop out Joy-Cons.
Its portable focus means it’s smaller and has a 5.5-inch display that’s 1.5 inches shorter than the Switch OLED. A wider choice of housing colors is also available on the new Switch, including grey, turquoise, yellow, coral and blue.
From a technical point of view, the Switch Lite is on par with the Nintendo Switch OLED. However, it doesn’t have that impressive battery life – an average of three to seven hours, as opposed to 4.5 to 9 hours.
Here’s what’s inside the Nintendo Switch Lite:
- Size: 8.2 x 0.55 x 3.6 inches (W x D x H)
- Libra: Approx. 0.61 lbs
- Screen: Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 5.5 inch LCD screen
- Resolution: 1280×720 (720p)
- Processor/GPU: Nvidia Custom Tegra processor
- Storage: 32 GB (can be extended with microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2 TB)
- Wireless: Wi-Fi (802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant)
- Loudspeakers: Stereo
- USB connector: USB Type-C for charging
- 3.5mm headphone jack
- Battery life: about 3-7 hours
- Charging time: about 3 hours
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch Lite: Games
The good news is that the Switch OLED and Switch Lite can play all the best Nintendo Switch games available. Nintendo noted that the experience with the Nintendo Labo series Toy-Con accessories may vary due to the larger Switch OLED screen, but that seems to be the only issue.
However, keep in mind that the Nintendo Switch Lite will not allow you to play games on the big screen as it is a portable device only. You also can’t detach the Joy-Con to play multiplayer or use motion controls, and its LCD screen won’t look as pleasing to the eye as the new OLED display. However, the Switch Lite is much cheaper and still a great way to play the latest Switch games.
Another area where the Nintendo Switch OLED has a distinct advantage over the Nintendo Switch Lite when it comes to gaming is that it has 64GB of internal storage as opposed to 32GB. This means you’ll have more room to play if you want to download your games digitally from the Nintendo Switch online store.
That said, you can expand the storage of both Switch consoles thanks to the microSD card slot that supports compatible cards up to 2TB. They tend to be cheap, especially during events like Amazon Prime Day and Black Friday, so it’s a negligible difference.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch Lite: Verdict
The updated Nintendo Switch OLED model is sure to appeal to newcomers who want the best Switch experience available. But the Nintendo Switch Lite is still an attractive proposition due to its lower price and more portable form factor.
While you can’t go wrong with either model, the Switch OLED gives you more flexibility as you can play on the go or on your TV when docked. However, it won’t look any different than the original Switch when played on the big screen, as Nintendo has opted for 4K output. However, it shines in handheld mode thanks to its vibrant and larger OLED display.
Choosing between the two consoles will come down to how you expect to use your Switch. If you can’t imagine gaming any other way than in handheld mode and want a more compact form factor, the Nintendo Switch Lite might be the way to go. If you want to enjoy everything the Switch has to offer, including TV mode, portable mode, and tabletop mode, we recommend the more expensive Nintendo Switch OLED console.
