After seemingly endless rumors and leaks, the next version of the Nintendo Switch is finally here. The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) was released on October 8, 2021, following its surprise announcement on July 6, 2021.
Is the Switch OLED the same as the “Switch Pro” we heard so much about? Is it more powerful than the current Switch? Can it play all your Switch games in 4K? And most importantly, how much does it cost? Keep reading to find out.
What is the Nintendo Switch OLED Model?
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model is the latest iteration of Nintendo’s popular Switch game system. It features a few noteworthy upgrades, such as a larger 7” OLED display, improved stereo speakers, twice the internal storage, and an upgraded kickstand that allows you to play at almost any angle when in tabletop mode.
Aside from these minor quality-of-life improvements, the new model is essentially the same as the standard Nintendo Switch we know and love — and most importantly, the Switch OLED plays the exact same games.
Nintendo Switch OLED vs Nintendo Switch: What’s different?
As its name implies, the primary difference between the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED Model is the new 7” OLED screen. Not only is it nearly a full inch bigger diagonally, but it is also brighter and more vibrant because it uses OLED panel technology rather than an LED-backlit LCD.
Here’s how the Nintendo Switch OLED stacks up against the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite:
| Nintendo Switch OLED | Original Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch Lite | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 7” OLED touchscreen | 6.2” LCD touchscreen | 5.5” LCD touchscreen |
| Resolution | 1080p docked, 720p handheld | 1080p docked, 720p handheld | 720p handheld only |
| Processor | NVIDIA Tegra X1 | NVIDIA Tegra X1 | NVIDIA Tegra X1 |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 | 4GB LPDDR4 |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable) | 32GB (expandable) | 32GB (expandable) |
| Battery Life | 4.5 – 9 hours | 4.5 – 9 hours | 3 – 7 hours |
| Connectivity | 3.5mm headphones, microSD, LAN, USB-C | 3.5mm headphones, microSD, USB-C | 3.5mm headphones, microSD, USB-C |
| Size | 9.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches | 9.4 x 4 x 0.55 inches | 8.2 x 3.6 x 0.55 inches |
| Weight | 0.93 lbs | 0.88 lbs | 0.61 lbs |
| Price | $349.99 MSRP | Starting at $235 | Starting at $135 |
Aside from the upgraded screen, you’d be hard-pressed to spot the differences between the Switch OLED and the standard model. All Nintendo Switch models are powered by NVIDIA’s Tegra X1 chip and have the same 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM.
In other words, the Switch OLED and the current Switch have the same raw performance, play the same games, and deliver the same frame rates. The Switch OLED and the standard Switch also support the same 1080p output resolution when docked to your TV, and neither variant is capable of 4K video output.
Simply put, if you’re playing on your TV, the Switch OLED Model offers no advantages over the standard Switch.
Is the Switch OLED the Switch Pro?
Over the past few months, there have been dozens of rumors regarding an updated version of the popular Nintendo Switch game console. Many people believed this so-called “Nintendo Switch Pro” or “Nintendo Switch 2” would bring a larger OLED screen, an updated NVIDIA Tegra processor, and support for 4K resolution, courtesy of NVIDIA’s DLSS temporal upscaling technology.
This rumored Nintendo Switch Pro never came. In other words, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model is not the same as the rumored “Switch Pro.” However, the Switch OLED has a few key improvements over the standard Switch.
The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) features a larger 7″ OLED display, 64GB internal storage (twice as much as the standard Switch and Switch Lite), improved speakers, and a better kickstand for tabletop mode.
How much does the Nintendo Switch OLED Model cost?
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model came out on October 8, 2021, with a suggested retail price of $349.99. This is $50 more than the standard Nintendo Switch, which has a $299.99 MSRP — and $150 more than the $199.99 Nintendo Switch Lite. However, it’s practically impossible to find a Switch OLED model in retail stores today unless you’re camping out.
But smart shoppers don’t pay retail. Looking beyond MSRP, the price difference grows substantially. Currently, you can pick up the Nintendo Switch for as little as $239 on Swappa, making it substantially cheaper than the Switch OLED. And if you only care about handheld mode, you can pick up a gently used Switch Lite for just $150!
Since you’re playing all the same games at the same resolutions and frame rates, save money and get the original Nintendo Switch instead — especially if you’re mainly looking to play on your TV in docked mode. And if you’re looking to game on the go, the smaller and lighter Switch Lite is still the best (and cheapest) option!
Should I get the new Nintendo Switch OLED?
If you want a Nintendo Switch with an amazing screen that can also connect to your TV, the new Nintendo Switch OLED Model is worth considering. It retails for just $50 more than the original Switch — yet you get a larger and more vibrant display, twice the internal storage, and a much better kickstand for tabletop play.
However, the Switch OLED is next to impossible to find at retail. Fortunately, there are plenty of Nintendo Switch OLED models available on Swappa!
Whether you’re splurging on a Switch OLED or picking up a gently used Switch or Switch Lite, make sure to sell your existing game console on Swappa to help fund your upgrade.
Selling on Swappa gets you twice as much money as you’d get at GameStop or Amazon Trade-In.
The new Nintendo Switch OLED isn’t for everyone. In fact, we’d argue that the vast majority of buyers are better served by the original Switch or the Switch Lite. That’s because if you mainly play on your TV, the new Switch OLED offers no real advantages over the standard Nintendo Switch. They play the same games at the same frame rates at the same resolution. And if you’re gaming on the go, the smaller and lighter (and cheaper!) Switch Lite is the better option.
Then, there’s the price. Right now, you can pick up the original Nintendo Switch on Swappa for as little as $239. This means you save hundreds of dollars compared to buying the Switch OLED, leaving you with tons of extra cash for games and accessories. Or if all you want is a portable console, you can get a gently used Switch Lite for about a third of the price of the Switch OLED and still play the same games.
No matter which Switch model you pick, you’ll find the best deals on Swappa. Buy with confidence, knowing that items are hand screened by our expert moderation team before they go live. So what are you waiting for? Get the best deals on game consoles and accessories by clicking below.
