The original
Nintendo Switch 2
$499
Search on Amazon ↗The Nintendo Switch 2 ($499) is the newer console: a 7.9-inch 1080p screen, up to 4K on a TV, 256 GB of storage, and it plays both Switch 2 games and compatible Switch games. The Nintendo Switch OLED Model ($399) costs $100 less and has a 7-inch OLED screen and a longer rated battery life, but Nintendo says Switch 2 games can't be played on it, apart from the base game of Switch 2 Edition titles.
The original
$499
Search on Amazon ↗Same brand
Nintendo
$399Save $100 (20%)
Search on Amazon ↗| Spec | Nintendo Switch 2 | Switch OLED |
|---|---|---|
| Typical price | $499 | $399 |
| Screen | 7.9-inch LCD, 1920x1080, HDR10, up to 120 Hz | 7.0-inch OLED, 1280x720 |
| TV output | Up to 4K at 60 fps; 120 fps at 1080p or 1440p | Up to 1080p |
| Games it plays | Switch 2 games and compatible Switch games | Switch games; not Switch 2 games |
| Built-in storage | 256 GB | 64 GB |
| Memory cards for games | microSD Express, up to 2 TB | microSDHC or microSDXC, up to 2 TB |
| Battery life | About 2 to 6.5 hours (5220 mAh) | About 4.5 to 9 hours (4310 mAh) |
| Charging time | About 3 hours in sleep mode | About 3 hours in sleep mode |
| Weight with controllers | About 1.18 lb | About 0.93 lb |
| Size with controllers | About 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 in | About 4 x 9.5 x 0.55 in |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth | Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.1 |
| USB-C ports | Two (top and bottom) | One |
It can't play Switch 2 games, and TV output tops out at 1080p.
Nintendo Switch 2: You want Switch 2 games such as Mario Kart World, you play on a 4K TV, or you download a lot of games and want the 256 GB of storage.
Switch OLED: You mainly want the existing Switch library, play mostly handheld, and care more about battery life and OLED contrast than about new Switch 2 releases.
No. Nintendo's support site says Switch 2 games can't be played on Nintendo Switch, and it lists the OLED Model among those consoles. The exception is Nintendo Switch 2 Edition games: the main game runs on a Switch, without the enhancements or extra content added for Switch 2.
Mostly. Nintendo says Switch 2 can play compatible physical and digital Switch games, but some may not be supported or fully compatible, and some need original Joy-Con controllers. Each game's page lists its Switch 2 compatibility.
The Switch OLED. Nintendo rates it at about 4.5 to 9 hours, against about 2 to 6.5 hours for the Switch 2, even though the Switch 2's battery is larger (5220 mAh against 4310 mAh). Both take about 3 hours to charge in sleep mode.
Not for games. Nintendo says Switch 2 supports microSD Express cards up to 2 TB, and standard microSD cards can only be used to copy screenshots and videos from a Switch.
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