Should You Buy the Nintendo Switch OLED?
BY Jeffrey October 6, 2021
Nintendo’s record-breaking hybrid console is on the verge of turning half a decade old. Five years of incredible games, indie hits, and ruined friendships (looking at you, Mario Kart). At this point in a console’s lifetime we’ve usually seen a mid-generation upgrade. PS4 had its Pro, Xbox had its One S and One X. Nintendo is also giving us an upgrade. Well, kind of.
Releasing October 8th is the Big N’s new Switch OLED. New screen, new speakers, and uh…new kickstand? The question on most gamer’s minds right now: Is there enough of a reason to buy one? Let’s take a look at some of the Pros and Cons of the Nintendo Switch OLED.
Pros
Screen
The screen on Nintendo’s OLED model is *slightly* larger than previous versions of the Switch. 0.8 inches, to be exact. Resolution of both models remains at 720p in handheld and 1080p while docked. The biggest difference you’ll see with the OLED’s screen is how bright and crisp your games will look. In a nutshell, LED screens use a backlight while the pixels in an OLED screen each produce their own light. What you get is brighter whites and darker blacks, making all your colors pop quite a bit more than their LED counterparts.
Audio
Nintendo hasn’t given too many details about the specific upgrades on the OLED, but they did proudly announce the new unit has upgraded audio. This is excellent news for those of us who like to play Switch on the go. While the original console had passable sound, it often left players wanting a better audio experience. Those players can find that experience with the Switch OLED.
Kickstand
If you saw the announcement trailer for the new Switch, you might have chuckled a bit when Nintendo made a big deal about the new kickstand. However, if you own an older version of the console, you know the kickstand is absolute garbage. Flimsy, weak, and prone to topple, the old kickstand was laughable. The newer model looks to have solved that problem by adding a larger, wider, and more stable leg to keep your Switch up while you play.
Storage
The Nintendo Switch is notorious for having limited storage space. Launch versions of the console came with a measly 32GB. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild easily ate up half that space. And some games, such as the NBA2K series, could use the space entirely. The Switch OLED solves that problem. Somewhat. Ok, not really. But it does come with twice the storage capacity. You’ll still need additional space with 64GB, but at least you won’t need it as quickly.
Wired Lan Connection
The original Switch makes you jump through all sorts of hoops if you want a wired internet connection. The console needs to be docked and you need a USB to Ethernet connector. It was a major hassle that left most players opting for a wireless connection. The OLED model (thankfully) solves that issue by including a LAN connection built into the dock itself. If you prefer low-latency gaming, the OLED might be a good option for you.
Cons
Price
While not a huge increase, the Switch OLED will be a bit more expensive than the original model, with an MSRP of $350. As a comparison, the original Switch costs $300, with the Switch Lite coming in at $200. The increase is expected as the OLED model does have a number of minor, but solid upgrades.
Same Battery Life
A new Switch means a better battery! Right? Right…? Unfortunately, no. The Switch OLED will come with the same battery life as the old model. While certainly nothing huge to complain about (the battery will get you 5-9 hours of playtime, depending on games and settings), you’d think a newer model would come with an upgraded battery. Not so.
Not a True Upgrade
For those hoping for a Switch+ or a Super Switch, you’ll have to keep waiting. Major upgrade this is not. Some argue it’s not even an upgrade at all, as all the internal parts (aside from speakers) remain relatively the same. Same chip, same processing power. This means your dreams of 4K gaming on a Nintendo console are still dreams at best.
Final Thoughts
So the question remains, should you buy the Nintendo Switch OLED? That’s a tough question to answer. If you’re already the proud owner of a working and functional LED model, probably not. Even with trade-in values being what they are, the extra cost of essentially a brighter screen might not be worth it. However, if your Switch is on its last legs or you’re a first-time Switch buyer, absolutely. The OLED is the obvious choice. In the end, though, it’s completely up to you. As the OLED model becomes the primary version of the Switch, you’ll see older models dropping in price—an easy pickup for someone looking for a cheap(er) way to play Nintendo games on the go. Even if you do own an older model that works fine, new and fancy tech is always enticing! Whatever model you end up getting, here’s to happy gaming and we’ll see you on Rainbow Road.
Jeffrey