With the Nintendo Switch 2 finally here, you might be weighing up whether it's worth picking up the follow-up console or sticking with your Switch OLED. With that in mind, we've put together this Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch OLED guide, pitting the two handheld consoles against each other to compare their displays, storage, controller capabilities, and more.
If you've already picked up the new hybrid device, be sure to check out our guides to the best Nintendo Switch 2 accessories and the best Nintendo Switch 2 controllers while you're here. Or, if after reading this comparison piece, you're still debating it, see if our Nintendo Switch 2 review can help you decide.
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Specs
Here are the Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch OLED's specs:
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch OLED | |
| Display | 7.9-inch LCD (1080p) | 7-inch OLED (720p) |
| Video output | 4K | 1080p |
| Storage | 256 GB | 64 GB |
| RAM | TBA | 4GB |
| GPU | Custom Nvidia processor | Custom Nvidia Tegra processor |
| Battery | 5,220 mAh (2-6.5 hours battery life) | 4,310 mAh (4.5-9 hours battery life) |
| USB-C ports | Two ports | One port |
| Size | 272 × 116 × 13.9mm with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached | 242 x 102 x 13.9mm with Joy-Con controllers attached |
| Controller features | Motion controls, gyroscope, and mouse functionality | Motion controls and gyroscope |
| Weight | 401g (542g with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached) | 320g (420g with Joy-Con controllers attached) |
| Price | $449 / £395 | $349 / £309 |
Display
The most obvious difference between the Switch 2 and the Switch OLED's displays, before you even turn either console on, is the size. The Switch OLED has a 7-inch screen, whereas the Switch 2 bumps up to 7.9 inches. That's a pretty big upgrade, making the Switch 2's display bigger than a lot of its competitors, including the Steam Deck OLED and the Asus ROG Ally.
In terms of the screen technology, there's another big differentiating factor between the Switch 2 and the OLED. The latter, as the name suggests, has an OLED display, whereas the Switch 2 has an LCD screen. Normally, I'd say this is a point for the OLED, as LCD screens often struggle with deep blacks and vivid color, but in my experience, the Switch 2's 1080p display looks just as lovely as the 720p OLED, or at least there's very little to separate the two. The Switch 2 also offers up to 120 fps in certain games, which is a big win for the successor console.
If you prefer to play in docked mode, the Switch 2 offers 4K visuals with up to 60 fps. That's a big upgrade on the Switch OLED, which is only capable of 1080p visuals when docked. The new Switch 2 dock also has a built-in fan, which should help keep your device cool while you're playing some of the more demanding games from our guide to the best Switch games on your TV or monitor.
Design
Given that the Switch 2 has a bigger display than the Switch OLED, it shouldn't come as a shock to learn that the console itself feels considerably larger in the hands than the OLED. Fortunately, it's not uncomfortably big, and despite the increase in size, the console isn't any thicker, so it doesn't feel like it weighs that much more than the original, even if it does.
Outside of the larger build, another design change for the Switch 2 is the improved kickstand on the back of the device. Not only is the kickstand more sturdy, but it's more flexible, allowing for more viewing angles. You might not feel the benefit of this change if you play almost exclusively in docked or handheld mode, but it's a nice feature to have if you ever want to snap off the Joy-Con 2 controllers and play a bit of Mario Kart World multiplayer without using a monitor.
Before moving on, it's also worth mentioning that the Switch 2 has two USB-C ports, while the OLED just has one, and a built-in microphone for GameChat. As far as we can tell, the reason the Switch 2 has two ports is so you can plug in the Switch 2 camera while the device is docked, which wouldn't be possible with the original or OLED model. We're also hoping that this means that Nintendo has some more exciting accessories in the works that make the most of the Switch 2's two ports.
Storage
When it comes to storage, the Switch 2 is pretty generous, offering 256 GB of space compared to the Switch OLED's 64 GB. However, it's worth pointing out that Switch 2 game file sizes are a bit bigger. For example, Mario Kart World is a 23.4 GB file, whereas Mario Kart 8 Deluxe for the original Switch is 11.3 GB. With that in mind, as well as the fact that the Switch 2 is the home of some big games such as Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition, the upgrade to storage space makes sense.
Unfortunately, if you were planning on using the same microSD card from your Switch OLED in the Switch 2, that won't be possible. The Switch 2 is only compatible with microSD Express cards, which are slightly more expensive than even some of the best microSD cards. Still, given the 256 GB of storage space, you might not have to use a microSD Express card, so long as you only keep a few games in rotation and delete them once you're done.
Performance
From our experience, the Switch 2 offers some pretty noticeable upgrades compared to the Switch OLED. Nowhere is this performance boost more obvious than in comparing gameplay footage of both consoles running The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, which the Switch 2 handles with ease. It doesn't run all that badly on the OLED, but in certain areas, there's a noticeable dip in frame rates. That doesn't seem to be the case with the Switch 2 Edition version of the game.
Surprisingly, it's not just games with official Switch 2 Edition launches that have seen improved performance following the launch of the console. The best example of the gulf between the two, in my opinion, is in Pokémon Scarlet and Violet's mass outbreak feature. On the original Switch version, the game would struggle to load as many as ten wild Pokémon, but on the Switch 2, it really feels like a swarm, and I counted as many as 15 Gyarados on a single screen, with more visible in the distance.
Software
Following a software update for the original Switch on the eve of the Nintendo Switch 2's launch, there isn't much to separate the software of both consoles outside of the Switch 2's revamped eShop and GameChat. GameChat is fantastic feature for social gamers, enabling you to chat with up to 12 friends while you play, so if you're keen on multiplayer or hanging out in lobbies with your pals, the Switch 2 is the better call.
Controllers
The Switch 2's Joy-Con 2 controllers might look pretty similar to the Switch OLED's at a glance, but there's a lot that separates them. For a start, the original Joy-Cons attach via a rail system, whereas the Joy-Con 2s are magnetized and click onto the side of the console. If you want to remove the Joy-Con 2s, there's a button on the back of the device, and with a simple press on each side, you can remove the controllers.
When it comes to functionality, the Joy-Con 2s still offer gyro and motion controls, but you can also use both the left and right controllers as mice. These mouse controls are fantastic for point-and-click, strategy, and FPS games, but they're also a little impractical if you're not a fan of gaming at a desk.
Battery life
So far, our Nintendo Switch 2 v. Nintendo Switch OLED guide has been all about how much better the Switch 2 is compared to its predecessor, but in terms of battery life, it's a different story. The Switch OLED offers 4.5 to 9 hours of charge, whereas the Switch 2 can only go for 2 to 6.5 hours, depending on the game you're playing. As we pointed out in our review of the console, the Switch 2's battery is the console's weakest feature, and it wouldn't be a surprise to see an OLED upgrade arrive with a longer-lasting battery in the coming years.
Price
The Nintendo Switch 2 is $100 more expensive than the Nintendo Switch OLED, coming in at $449 compared to the OLED's $349 price point. There's a pretty similar gap in the UK, with the Switch 2 costing £395 against the Switch OLED at £309. There's a chance we could see a Switch OLED price drop after the launch of the Switch 2, but it's not something we've encountered just yet.
Verdict
If you want a bigger screen, better performance, and mouse functionality controllers, then upgrading to the Nintendo Switch 2 is the right call for you. Yes, it's more expensive, but having spent time with both the Switch 2 and the OLED, the Switch 2 feels like a proper upgrade, and as far as I'm concerned, it's worth it for the $449 / £395 price point.
However, if you're perfectly happy with the battery life of the original, and you're not particularly bothered about upgraded versions of games such as Mario Party Jamboree and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, you might be better off holding out on the Switch 2 for now. Given that Nintendo is releasing Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokémon Legends: Z-A on both platforms, you're still getting some fresh triple-A games without upgrading to the new console.
That's all we've got for our Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch OLED comparison guide. If you want to check out some more hardware before deciding what to buy next, be sure to check out our Asus ROG Ally X review and Steam Deck OLED review while you're here. Or, if you feel like picking up something a little more nostalgia-inducing, see our picks for the best retro handhelds.