What this article will do for you.
In short, this article will explain what the New Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is, what changes were made compared to the original, why these hardware changes matter and how they will actually affect your overall gaming experience which may improve in some ways and get much worse in other ways.
Let's quickly get the big questions out of the way.
Is this Switch console the Switch Pro we wanted?
No. Nintendo fans have anticipated a new iteration of the popular Switch consoles ever since the release of the Nintendo Switch Lite.
However, recent supposedly leaks from Bloomberg and other sources have reinforced some of the community’s belief that this new Switch would include more RAM and a more powerful GPU/CPU combo to allow games to be played in 4K resolution. Unfortunately, not only did this not happen, but it’s unlikely that Nintendo will be releasing another version of the Nintendo Switch for quite some time.
So what exactly did Nintendo change on their newest version that sets it apart from the standard Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch lite? Well… not too much.
What is the new Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)?
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Nintendo’s newest console release is called the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) which will:
cost $349.99 USD
now comes in a white or the standard neon blue/red color
and will be released on the same day as Metroid Dread, October 8, 2021.
Did they finally fix "Stick-drift"?
No. Despite public outcry and even lawsuits, Nintendo seems to have made no changes to the joy-cons aside from a new color. The phenomenon known as “stick-drift” will probably continue to be the original dread of Metroid players this October.
What is the biggest change?
As its name suggests, the largest improvement by far is the upgrade from a 6.2 inch LED screen to a refreshed 7 inch OLED screen. OLED screens are not only more color accurate and vibrant, but they have the added benefit of producing darker blacks and more vivid whites. This is made possible because their pixels are individually backlit unlike regular LED screens which provide backlit zones that span hundreds of pixels at a time.
What else did Nintendo change or add compared to the original Nintendo Switch console?
A brand new kick stand!
(Image credit: Nintendo)
On the bright side, Nintendo has actually listened to the community and completely revamped the Nintendo Switch’s stand which has been widely disliked because of its flimsiness and unreliability.
Unlike the tiny old stand which was shifted to one side, the new stand takes up the entirety of the lower half on the back of this new OLED Switch. This new stand has been compared by many to the stand attached to Microsoft Surface computers which also allow for multiple angled positions. This will definitely improve the overall user experience when playing the new Nintendo Switch is table-top mode.
Double the onboard storage for games.
The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) also now has 64 GB of internal storage—double the internal storage of the original Switch. Although this is a welcomed upgrade, it’s probably still a good idea to invest in a micro SD card for expanded storage and inevitable game launches down-the-line.
A new dock with a new look and new ports.
(Image credit: Nintendo)
Lastly, this new Switch also includes an upgraded dock with a slightly newer design that has rounded corners and a different rear cover. This dock comes in a white or black color, both of which, now include a built-in Ethernet port in the very back. This added port comes at the expense of losing the rear USB port—but don’t worry—the two USB ports on the left side of the dock will still be there for you to use.
The missing rear USB port was usually used by Switch owners to plug-in their Ethernet cable adapter anyways. So if you ever wanted a more reliable internet-connected experience in docked mode, you won’t need to worry about buying and keeping track of yet another Switch accessory now that the Ethernet port is just built-in.
What these changes mean for gamers.
With all of these specifics out of the way, what are you really getting with the New Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) compared to the standard Nintendo Switch?
Like I said before, not very much…
Other than the changes we discussed above, everything else has stayed exactly the same including the battery, the size (although 1 mm wider), the joy-cons (now in white), the performance of games, etc.
Main take-aways and things to seriously consider.
That being said, here are some vital details about the new OLED Switch to consider:
NO 4K TV output
OLED Screen but still UP TO 720p in handheld mode and 0.8 inches bigger, meaning...
Possible “Screen burn-in” (damaged OLED pixels over time and limited brightness, too)
Worse battery life (as most games are bright and not dark which are not advantageous for OLED energy consumption)
And worse pixel density (larger pixels).
But also consider that this new OLED Switch has a...
Much better stand
Much smaller screen bezels without reducing console size
Built-in Ethernet port (but 2 USB ports instead of 3)
64 GB of storage (double the original internal storage)
And a new white color and rounded dock.
Final Thoughts:
General Recommendations: Should you upgrade?
It seems that while these upgrades may improve the gaming experience for those who mostly play in handheld mode, they do virtually nothing to improve the gaming experience for those who prefer to play in docked mode on a TV or monitor.
On top of this, the resolution of the Switch’s screen has not changed and is still up to 720p in handheld mode. With the new OLED screen being 7 inches (an increase of 0.8 inches), the pixel density will decrease and the larger pixel size will be more noticeable.
This could actually have a negative effect on the viewing experience as the rough edges (aliasing) that some Switch games are notorious for in handheld mode will become even more apparent alongside text which becomes more difficult to read. This pixilation may be too small to notice but time will only tell once test models become available for pre-launch reviews.
Reasons to buy the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model).
This isn’t to say that the new Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is a huge waste of time and money—quite the opposite. If you’re currently in the market to purchase a fantastic portable gaming system with dashing good looks and a winning personality, then the new Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) may be perfect for you!
Reasons you should NOT buy the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model).
But on the other hand, if you’re only looking for the most mobile and travel-friendly handheld to play all your favorite Nintendo games without breaking the bank for unnecessary features, then you’re probably better off purchasing the Nintendo Switch Lite which costs $150 less at $200.
If white joy-cons and a new white dock get you excited, it’s likely that Nintendo will actually be making them available for purchase separately but no further details have officially been announced as of yet.
If you already own a Nintendo Switch and you mostly play in docked mode.
And on the back of that other hand, if you already own the current Nintendo Switch, there’s very little reason to fork over another $350 just to have…
A better stand you may hardly use
An Ethernet port which replaces a $25 adapter
More internal storage when you likely already expanded your storage
And a mildly bigger, OLED screen which may have worse battery life and worse pixel density (bigger pixels).
If you mostly play on your TV, especially if your family shares one console, this newer Switch will do absolutely nothing for you and will not improve your gaming experience whatsoever. You’re better off saving your money for the massive amount of Nintendo Switch games that are expected to release this year like The Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword HD, WarioWare: Get It Together!, and of course, Metroid Dread.
If you do plan on purchasing the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model), you can find the links to some retailers down below:
Nintendo: https://tinyurl.com/czj32kf6
Amazon: https://tinyurl.com/4xjxbpp6
GameStop: https://tinyurl.com/3rhjbtm6
Best Buy: https://tinyurl.com/2k86wcnr
Walmart: https://tinyurl.com/ym3vy9hn
Target: https://tinyurl.com/veym5w82
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