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The Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, revolutionized handheld gaming. The ability to play games on the go and then swap into docked mode to play on the TV felt like one of those “why didn’t someone invent this years ago” moments.
It continued to maintain momentum as the go-to handheld console for years, with many key games being released on the device. This marked a huge shift for Nintendo, which is no slouch, but it failed to capitalize on third-party games in quite the same way before the Switch. The day Bethesda released Skyrim on the Switch, you knew it had truly cemented its spot in the console pantheon.
Then, in October 2021, Nintendo released the Switch OLED. This version took the completely opposite direction to their previous 2019 iteration on the console: the Switch Lite, which is a smaller, more compact version of the Switch with one major catch – it can’t be docked with a TV. It’s a smaller, entirely handheld version of the console.
The Switch OLED strikes a balance between handheld and docked play. Its main feature is its larger, better screen which makes handheld play more satisfying, but it can still dock with a TV for stationary gaming.
However, it’s worth getting into the specific differences between the original Nintendo Switch and the Switch OLED, because a larger screen isn’t the only thing that differentiates the consoles.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch price
The price will naturally be a huge factor in any large purchase decision like a games console. The Switch OLED is, as you’d expect, more expensive than the original Switch, and is more expensive than the Switch was at launch. The original Switch has also had a small price drop since the launch of the OLED, increasing the price difference between the two options.
Most big box retailers like Walmart, Target, and Best Buy, as well as Amazon and other online stores, currently have a bundle with a console and a copy of Mario Kart 8. The exact price will vary depending on the store and whether you buy the console with or without a bundled game or accessories, but the OLED version will usually come in at around $50 more than the original version.
- Nintendo Switch original version with Mario Kart 8 – $299
- Nintendo Switch OLED version with Mario Kart 8 – $349
Nintendo Switch Original vs Switch OLED features
Design/layout
The OLED Switch looks extremely similar to the regular Switch – they even both come with red and blue JoyCons by default, though you can get both devices in other colors. The JoyCons are actually completely interchangeable so if you’ve got a favorite color combination, you can swap them in and out as needed.
They have the same button layouts too, with the controversial YXAB layout that snags every single PlayStation or Xbox player.
Switch Original vs Switch OLED Screen/display
Here's how much better the Switch OLED looks compared to the original Nintendo Switch. That and more in our ultimate Switch comparison, including battery life and speaker test!
WATCH: https://t.co/S601N1RvRd pic.twitter.com/Rt7MEEqvbN— GameXplain (@GameXplain) October 6, 2021
The main difference in design is of course the screen. The original Switch has a 6.2-inch LCD panel screen; absolutely no slouch when it comes to portable gaming displays, but the OLED version has it beat with its 7-inch variant.
The console isn’t actually too much larger because the screen claws back some real estate by cutting down the thick black bezels around the edge – it’s just 0.13 inches longer.
OLED screens are more vibrant than LED ones – particularly when it comes to darker colors like black. Blacks on an LED often look washed out and more like grey, whereas OLEDs can provide a much deeper black. There are some good comparison videos online, but you will see even more of a difference in person.
Despite the better screen, the OLED and the original Switch both have the same 1280 x 720 pixel display resolution.
Stand
Another area where the OLED Switch has a huge improvement over the original Switch is the new and improved stand. While this is only really important for people who play undocked but not handheld, it’s crucial to playing that way.
The stand on the original Switch is functional – barely. It will prop the console up, but you will have to make sure nobody bumps into the table you’re using.
The OLED stand is much more robust, spanning the entire width of the console. This makes it much more sturdy without having a noticeable effect on the size and weight of the console. It’s also somewhat adjustable, allowing for multiple different angles of display.
Speakers
The OLED Switch does have revamped speakers, making it louder and richer sounding. It definitely sounds better than an original Switch, but frankly, it isn’t a huge amount and if you care a lot about sound quality, you’re better off using a good set of headphones to listen.
Other variations
- The OLED Switch comes with a very similar dock as the original so you can use them interchangeably, but if you do get the OLED dock it comes with a dedicated LAN port for an Ethernet cable, allowing for more consistent, faster internet connections.
- The OLED’s internal storage is twice what the original Switch has (the OLED has 64 GB whereas the original Switch has just 32 GB), but both can accept a microSD card to expand the storage.
- Battery life is extremely similar on both devices and depends on what you’re using it for. From a full charge, the OLED and the original will both provide between around five and nine hours of continuous playtime.
- The inner machinery is the same, so the OLED isn’t ‘more powerful’ and can’t support bigger and more demanding games than the original.
Conclusion
Given the differences between the consoles, the OLED is definitely worthwhile if you play handheld a lot and can tolerate the slightly larger size. However, if you mainly play docked, you might not really see enough difference in the consoles to justify the price difference.
Before you make up your mind on the Switch Original vs Switch OLED, it might be worth considering that the Switch 2 will probably be announced soon, and when it is, there’s a chance both the original Switch and the OLED could see a price drop in anticipation.
