Those who are planning to buy a Nintendo Switch as their next game console but are unaware of what has been going on in the gaming community will be confronted with an important question: What is the difference between the original Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED? This article lists down and discusses the major differences between these two Switch models.
Understanding the Difference Between Nintendo Switch OLED and Nintendo Switch Original: What Are the Major Differences?
Nintendo released the original Switch on the market in March 2017. More than four years after, the company released in September 2021 a newer model that has the same hardware capabilities albeit with a larger and better display based on OLED technology.
The following are the differences between the original Switch and the OLED model:
• Display Panel and Screen Size: Of course, as its name suggests, the difference between the newer Switch and the older one is that it uses an organic LED or OLED display. The original Switch uses an in-plane switching or IPS LCD. Furthermore, the OLED model has a 7-inch screen while the original has a 6.2-inch screen.
• Kickstand for Tabletop Play: Another major difference between the Nintendo Switch OLED and the original Nintendo Switch is the kickstand. The OLED model has a sturdier and more solid kickstand that can be adjusted at different angles while the original has a relatively less stable one that has a fixed angle.
• Available Internal Storage: The original model comes with 32GB of base internal storage based on a solid-state drive and the specific eMMC standard. The usable space is about 25.9GB. The OLED model also uses an eMMC solid-state storage but it comes with 64GB of base storage with 54.9GB of usable space.
• Wired Connectivity: Note that the dock is almost the same between the two models. The only difference is that the OLED model comes with a port for wired connectivity via a direct Ethernet connection. However, this dock only has 2 USB 2.0 ports to accommodate the LAN port. The original dock retains 3 USB 2.0 ports.
• Difference in Retail Price: Another difference between the two is price. The OLED model is about USD 5.00 more expensive than the original Switch with a price tag of USD 349.99 at its introduction. Nintendo had to slash the price of the original model down to USD 299.00 to differentiate it better from the OLED model.
Choosing Between the OLED Model and the Original Nintendo Switch: Which One is Better? Which One Should You Buy?
The display remains the major difference between the Nintendo Switch OLED and the original Switch. Of course, because it is a superior display technology to an IPS LCD, the OLED model provides deeper blacks, a better contrast ratio, a wider viewing angle, and more vibrant colors. Furthermore, note that the OLED model has a larger screen and thinner bezels.
The improved kickstand and Ethernet port are also welcome improvements over the original. However, considering the higher price of the OLED model, those who are planning to get a Nintendo Switch might be better off purchasing the original or even the Switch Lite, especially if budget is an issue. The extra money could be used for purchasing game titles.
In a nutshell, there are no drastic improvements when comparing the Nintendo Switch OLED against the original Switch, especially when it comes to hardware capabilities. Both can run game titles without performance discrepancies. For those who already own one, there is no strong reason to upgrade to the OLED model as long as their device works fine.
