Comparison of the three Nintendo Switch models
| Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch Lite | Nintendo Switch OLED | |
| Dimensions | 102 mm x 239 mm x 139.mm (with Joy-Con) | 91.1 mm x 208 mm x 13.9 mm | 102mm x 242 mm x 13.9mm (with Joy-Con) |
| Weight | 398 g (with Joy-Con) | 275 g | 420 g (with Joy-Con) |
| Screen size | 6.2 inches | 5.5 inches | 7 inches |
| Screen technology | LCD | LCD | OLED |
| Screen resolution | 720p | 720p | 720p |
| Autonomy | 4.5 at 9 o'clock | 3 to 7 hours | 4.5 at 9 o'clock |
| Internal storage | 32 GB | 32 GB | 64 GB |
| Micro SD port | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| TV compatible? | Yes | No | Yes |
| TV mode resolution | 1080p | – | 1080p |
| Detachable Joy-Con? | Yes | No | Yes |
| Ethernet port? | No | No | Yes (on the dock) |
| Official Nintendo Price | 299.99€ | 219.99€ | 349.99€ |
| Average reseller price | 270€ | 200€ | 310€ |
First of all, let's take a look at the technical specifications of each Nintendo Switch model: the standard, the Lite and the OLED. If this raw data, visible above, doesn't mean anything to you, it can nevertheless be useful to you throughout the reading of our guide, to check the data that interests you the most.
It is still important to know that some things do not change between the Nintendo Switch models, such as the resolution of the console screen which is common between the three. The Switch Lite is not affected, but the maximum resolution is also the same on TV between the standard and OLED models. Finally, the power is strictly the same between the three machines; none will offer better graphics than another.
Nintendo Switch (standard model)
Contrary to popular belief, the standard model of the Nintendo Switch is not quite the first one released in 2017. In 2019, a little over two years after the console was released, Nintendo quietly launched the “V2” model on the market. The only difference is on the processor side, which is less greedy and therefore allows the autonomy to increase.
But apart from that, it is indeed the console as we know it. Its main advantage is undoubtedly to be affordable for a console usable both as a TV and as a portable. But its drawbacks are the slightly dated screen, the too light storage and the foot at the back of the console, which does not hold it very well.
Nintendo Switch Lite
Released in 2019 after weeks of rumors, some of which turned out to be true despite the public's reluctance, the Nintendo Switch Lite has one goal: to satisfy female and male players gamers who only want to play the Switch in handheld mode. With this in mind, Nintendo has made the Lite incompatible with televisions, since it can’t connect to a dock (and even if you try, the console has no video output). All of this is offered at a lower price, around €200 in 2024.
But the Lite is not really the best model: a small screen making some text difficult to read, non-detachable Joy-Con and too little storage are the main negative points.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The latest model released in 2021 is rightly considered to be what the console should have been when it was released. The OLED screen makes Nintendo Switch games look even better than they could have before, especially with the 7″ diagonal (compared to 6.2 for the standard model). The foot at the back of the console has been revised and has become very good, and the internal storage has been doubled to 64 GB; still quite light, after all. Finally, the dock sold with the console is easier to use for connections and has an Ethernet port.
On the negative side, the OLED model is necessarily more expensive, namely around €310 at retailers in 2024. But that's more or less all that's negative, compared to the other models.
Which Switch model for which use?
This is where this whole story gets more difficult. While one might think that the most expensive and most recent model is necessarily the one to choose, this is ultimately not the case. And that is precisely why Nintendo is keeping all three models on sale, without replacing the standard one with the OLED. To help you see things more clearly, here are some examples of use that could make your choice easier.
For 100% TV – the standard Nintendo Switch
If you plan to play only on your television, or with a very small part of your playing time in portable mode, it is better to go for the standard model. The OLED developments will not be useful to you, since the console screen will be little or not used on your side. The only thing that might be missing if you are used to playing online is the Ethernet port of the Switch OLED dock.
It is entirely possible to connect a standard Switch to this dock, but in this case you will have to get it in addition to the console; knowing that it costs around €80, it is not very profitable. The 32 GB of storage of the standard model can be quickly forgotten by buying a 128 GB micro SD for example, for around €15.
For 100% portable – the Nintendo Switch Lite
This is the very purpose of the Nintendo Switch Lite. If you only plan on playing in portable mode and are convinced that you will never need to play on your television, then the Switch Lite is for you. Sure, its slightly small screen and its too light internal storage make it a console sometimes considered “cheap”. But it costs less, is also compatible with micro SD and can be transported much more easily than other models.
Nevertheless, if your budget allows it and you like beautiful and big screens, the Nintendo Switch OLED can also be a solution for 100% portable gaming. However, you will need to understand that you will be financing a dock that you will not use.
For a mix of the two – the Nintendo Switch OLED
Finally, if you think that you will enjoy both TV mode and portable mode, it is clear that the Nintendo Switch OLED is the best model in this case. More expensive than the others, it will have the advantage of sporting a very beautiful OLED screen, larger than the others and more comfortable. The rear foot of the console allows it to be placed very stably, unlike the standard Switch, and the 64 GB of storage is certainly not very generous, but has the advantage of leaving a little more slack before buying a micro SD.
Finally, the dock is practical to use and has, as we said above, an Ethernet port. And like the standard model, it has a battery life of 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the game used, two hours more than the Lite model.
Or even the standard Nintendo Switch, finally
Of course, the standard Nintendo Switch model can meet your needs, especially if you have a tighter budget or, quite simply, an OLED screen does not appeal to you more than that. However, you will have to count on lower storage and a less bright screen, which can be less practical outdoors. Be careful, OLED also has brightness problems outdoors, like many screens these days; but the observation remains a little better there.
Is it useful to buy one when the Nintendo Switch 2 is coming out?
As we write these lines, in April 2024 to be precise, the Nintendo Switch 2 has never been officially announced or mentioned by Nintendo. Of course, we suspect it: the age of the Nintendo Switch continues to increase and it would be unthinkable not to replace it in a few months. Likewise, the hybrid concept should be present again on the next console, since on the one hand the success of the Switch does not really allow us to go back, and on the other hand the old “portable console” and “home console” teams were merged several years ago.
The rumors that we have been able to read so far (those of sources considered reliable, who have already revealed information that turned out to be made official later) mention a backward compatibility of the Switch 2 with the games of the first. So this is what we will have to play on: if this turns out to be made official when the next console is announced, the price of the current Switch should drop. But we do not yet know when it will be announced or when it will be released, even if the sources seem to converge towards 2025.
So it's up to you to decide whether you can wait several more months without even knowing if the Switch 2 will really interest you, or if you want to buy it now! If your finances aren't too tight, you can always sell your Nintendo Switch to get the new model.
And why not a console other than the Switch?
There are other consoles on the market besides the Nintendo Switch. We can obviously mention the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, but let's not forget the Steam Deck which has made its place in the hearts of gamers and which offers an experience closer to the Switch, although it is heavier and more imposing.
But then, with all this choice, why necessarily go for a Nintendo console? The two main answers are clear: only Nintendo offers Nintendo games (where PlayStation and Microsoft release them on PC) and, for the time being, the Nintendo Switch is the cheapest machine on the market for video games. Obviously, if you are not looking for Nintendo licenses (The Legend of Zelda, Mario, Metroid, Super Smash Bros., Splatoon, Astral Chain, Bayonetta, Pikmin, etc.) or a more affordable price, the Switch is probably not for you.
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