The Nintendo Switch 2 is here, but unlike when the original launched in 2017, this time it has some pretty stiff competition in the handheld market. With that in mind, we've put together this Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Steam Deck OLED guide, pitting the two consoles against each other to help you decide which to go for next.
To get an even better idea of what to expect from both consoles, be sure to check out our Switch 2 review and Steam Deck OLED review while you're here. Or, if you want even more options for portable gaming, check out our list of the best handheld consoles, where you can find everything from cheaper Android devices to super-powered Steam Deck rivals.
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Specs
Here are the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED's specs:
Display
The big difference between the Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED's displays is that the Nintendo console has a 7.9-inch LCD screen while the Valve hardware has a 7.4-inch OLED. Given that OLED displays generally offer more vivid colors and deeper blacks than LCD screens, you'd think this is an easy point for the Steam Deck. However, it's a bit more complicated.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has a higher resolution of 1080p, compared to the Steam Deck's 800p. Honestly, it's not all that noticeable in most games, but it's a big leap from the original Switch's 720p display. The new Nintendo console also has 120Hz refresh rates, beating the Steam Deck OLED's 90Hz, which should make for a slightly smoother gameplay experience. Ultimately, the choice between the two comes down to whether you want velvety visuals or the most accurate colors.
Design
In terms of design, the Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED are pretty similar, but with a few notable differences. For a start, the Steam Deck OLED is both wider and chunkier than the Switch 2, despite having a smaller display. That's because the trackpads on the Steam Deck take up a fair bit of space, whereas the Joy-Con 2 controllers are pretty slim. The Nintendo option is also more lightweight, weighing in at 542g with the controllers attached, whereas the Steam Deck OLED is around 640g.
Another difference between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED is that the Switch 2 has two USB-C ports while the Steam Deck only has one. However, you can plug your Steam Deck into a dock that offers extra USB-C ports, so the Valve console isn't strictly limited to a single USB-C port, provided you're happy hooking it up to a monitor. While you can only use the Switch 2's bottom port for docking, either is fine for plugging your charger in, which is ideal for those playing in handheld mode.
Storage
Although the Nintendo Switch 2 might offer more storage than the original, upgrading from 32 GB to 256 GB, it still pales in comparison to the Steam Deck OLED, which comes in 512 GB and 1 TB variations. You'd think that would make this an easy point for the Steam Deck, but there's a bit of a caveat.
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A lot of the best Steam Deck games have massive file sizes, whereas Nintendo Switch 2 games seem more reasonable. For example, Baldur's Gate 3 on the Valve handheld requires at least 150GB of storage space, whereas Mario Kart World for Switch 2 needs just 23.4 GB.
Both handhelds also offer the option to upgrade your storage. With the Steam Deck OLED, you can either opt to pick up a new SSD and install it yourself or use a microSD card, but you're going to get quicker load times with the SSD. With the Switch 2, you can only use microSD Express cards, but as the name suggests, these tiny memory cards offer rapid read times, so your games should load quickly.
Performance
For most gamers, especially those not counting frame rates, there isn't all that much difference between the Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED in terms of performance. Both are capable of running some demanding games, including Cyberpunk 2077 and Yakuza 0. You're not going to get the quality of gameplay you would from a high-end gaming PC or a PS5 Pro, but for a handheld device, it's still pretty impressive.
Software
The Nintendo Switch 2 and the Steam Deck OLED both sit at the top of the tree in terms of handheld gaming software. The Valve console uses the gaming giant's own SteamOS software, based on Linux, which offers a lot of ease of use, especially if you've dabbled in PC gaming on Steam before. The Switch 2's operating system is a marked improvement from the original, especially when it comes to the eShop, with a bunch of icons on the home menu that indicate features such as GameChat and GameShare, as well as your screenshots and settings.
For me, the Switch 2 software is a little more user-friendly, which makes sense, considering the console's demographic is much more wide-ranging than the Steam Deck's. However, SteamOS offers more depth for those looking for it, and even after improvements, Steam's storefront still feels a little more intuitive than Nintendo's eShop.
Controllers
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a pair of Joy-Con 2 controllers that magnetically attach to the console. With the Joy-Con 2s, you can either attach them to the display, hold one in each hand, or use the grip that comes in the box to combine them into something that feels more like an Xbox or PlayStation controller. With the Steam Deck OLED, it's all one unit, but you can use a Bluetooth controller if you plug the device into a docking station.
Battery life
Unfortunately for the Nintendo Switch 2, this section has one clear winner. The Nintendo console only offers 2 to 6.5 hours of battery, depending on the demands of the game you're playing. That's what Nintendo says, anyway, but in our experience, you're rarely getting more than three hours, no matter what you're playing.
The Steam Deck OLED offers 6 to 12 hours, though, in my experience, you're only getting close to 12 hours if you're playing an indie game that doesn't ask much of the processor. In short, you're less likely to travel with a power bank if you pick up the Steam Deck OLED instead of the Switch 2.
Price
The Nintendo Switch 2's $449 / £395 retail price is significantly cheaper than both the 512GB and 1TB versions of the Steam Deck OLED, which go for $549 / £479 and $649 / £569, respectively. Whichever you go for, you're also getting a charger in the box, so you don't have to worry about shelling out any more cash for that.
Both options might seem quite expensive, but considering some of the big-name Steam Deck alternatives out there, such as the Lenovo Legion Go and the Asus ROG Ally, cost upwards of $600, they're actually two of the more moderately priced options on the market.
Verdict
If you want to play Mario, Zelda, and other Nintendo games, don't want to have to shop around for a dock to connect to a monitor, and like the idea of mouse functionality with the Joy-Con 2 controllers, then the Nintendo Switch 2 is the one for you. It also helps that it's $100 cheaper than the Steam Deck OLED, so you can spend some of that spare cash on some of the picks from our guide to the best Nintendo Switch games.
On the other hand, if you've already got a massive collection of Steam Deck games, prefer an OLED screen, and want reliable battery life, the Steam Deck OLED might be the better call. You've also got the option to upgrade your storage by installing a new SSD or just using a microSD card with the Steam Deck, so if you're a hardware tinkerer, it's a better fit.
All in all, I can't say if the Nintendo Switch 2 is better than the Steam Deck OLED or vice versa. It's down to your wants and needs from a handheld console, but hopefully, this guide has given you a better idea of what they are, and if in doubt, hey, why not save up and buy both? As far as we're concerned, you can never have too many game consoles in your life.
There you have it, our Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck OLED comparison guide. While you're here, be sure to also check out our Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch OLED guide. Or, if you're looking for some of the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories, check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 cameras and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers.