The Nintendo Switch 2 promises to be the future of Nintendo consoles with tons of upcoming Switch 2 games, new features, and better hardware. However, how different is this system from the newest and most expensive Switch model, the Switch OLED? The two don’t look very different from the outside, and the new console is not going to be cheap, either. We already compared the Switch 2 vs. Switch and Switch 2 vs. Steam Deck to see how these systems stack up, but what about your precious OLED? There are a lot more factors than specs and screen types to consider when choosing between two systems so we have broken down all the important things you need to know to decide if the Switch 2 is a worthy upgrade.
Switch 2 OLED specs.
| Nintendo Switch OLED | Nintendo Switch 2 | |
| Size | Approximately 4 inches high, 9.4 inches long, and .55 inches deep (with Joy-Con attached) | 3.9mm thick |
| Weight | Approximately .71 pounds (.93 pounds with Joy-Con controllers attached) | TBD |
| Screen | Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 7-inch OLED Screen / 1280 x 720 | 7.9-inches, 1080p HDR, 120Hz. |
| CPU/GPU | NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | TBD |
| Storage | 64 GB (microSD card expandable) | 256GB |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant) | Yes |
| Video output | Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode and up to 720p via built-in screen in tabletop mode and handheld mode | 4K docked via HDMI, 1080p handheld |
| Audio output | Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output with output via HDMI | 3D audio |
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo |
| USB connector | USB Type-C | 2 USB Type-C ports |
| Headphone/mic jack | 3.5mm 4-pole stereo (CTIA standard) | Built-in mic with noise-cancelling tech, but an audio jack is included in the new Pro Controller |
| Game card slot | Nintendo Switch game cards | Nintendo Switch game cards |
| microSD card slot | Compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC memory cards | Supports microSD Express |
| Internal battery | Lithium-ion battery/4310mAh | Lithium-ion battery/522mAh or ~20Whr |
| Battery life | Approximately 4.5 to 9 hours | 2 – 6.5 hours |
| Charging time | Approximately 3 hours | TBD |
| Availability | Available now | Launching on June 5 |
The unfortunate thing about the Switch OLED is that it has nearly identical specs as the regular Switch, save for two important features. First is obviously the screen since it is right there in the name. Both the original Switch and Switch 2 use an LCD screen, while the OLED uses, well, OLED. If those letters don’t mean anything to you, the basic idea is that OLED screens are able to display better color contrast, especially with blacks, that make games appear more vibrant without actually improving the graphical quality. The reason the OLED model is its own version and not standard is because these screens cost quite a bit more than LCD.
For the Switch 2, while it does not have an OLED screen, it does have far better graphical power than the OLED. It can support up to 4K visuals while docked and 1080p in handheld mode, plus it has HDR and ray tracing support. These won’t yield the exact same visual depth as an OLED screen, but it is more than a worthy tradeoff in the grand scheme of things. The last point on screens is that the Switch 2 has a bigger screen at 7.9 inches compared to 7.
The other minor improvement the OLED has over the base Switch is in storage space, but even this pales in comparison to what the Switch 2 is packing. Your OLED has 64 GB of internal space, while the Switch 2 crushes that number with 256 GB. Granted, both are easily expanded with SD cards.
One area where the OLED does come out on top is battery life. The OLED can run for anywhere between 4.5 to 9 hours, depending on how demanding the game is, while the Switch 2 can run out of juice in as little as 2 hours and maxes out at around 6.5.
Besides the difference in size, you’re not going to see a major difference between these consoles. Both have the exact same design and form factor, though the Switch 2 does feel a bit heftier.
The only benefit the OLED has over the Switch 2 is that there are a few limited edition models for specific games, while there is only the default Switch 2 for now.
Since there’s no difference between the OLED controllers and the default Joy-cons, you know exactly what you’re getting here. Every other controller, like the Pro Controller, also works on the Switch OLED, so there’s no shortage of great options.
Meanwhile, the Switch 2 comes with new and improved Joy-cons that could be a game changer. Not only are they a bit bigger and more comfortable, but they have a couple of new tricks. The first is the ability to be used like a computer mouse and slid along a surface for more precise aiming. This was shown off in Metroid Prime 4: Beyondas an alternative control scheme, but that is just scratching the surface of this feature’s potential.
The other new addition is a C button for GameChat. Now, voice and video chatting will be a breeze on the Switch 2, thanks to a built-in microphone.
While there is also a new version of the Pro Controller with back paddles as well, all your existing Switch controllers will also work on the Switch 2.
The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom upgrade packs are expected to be $10 each, according to an IGN interview with a top Nintendo executive. $20 for both is a pleasant surprise given gamer’s concerns over the rest of the current Nintendo Switch 2 pricing structure.
IGN interviewed Bill Trinen, Nintendo of America’s Vice President of Product and Player Experience, to get his insights into the Nintendo Switch 2 announcement and some more details on what to expect. In the interview, Trinen revealed the pricing of several games (including the Switch 2 Welcome Tour: $9.99, digital only.)
He also gave details on how the pricing was determined. “What I would say is that we just look at each individual game and we look at the content and the value of that game, and then we say, ‘what is the right price for the value of this entertainment?’” Trinen said. “For somebody who has bought Tears of the Kingdom or Breath of the Wild, the upgrade packs for those are $9.99. And if you happen to be a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack member, both of the Zelda upgrade packs are inclusive within that membership. So there’s no additional charge for those. But I think overall, our general approach is really just focus on what’s the content, what’s the value, and what’s an appropriate price based on that.”
The inclusion of the upgrade packs in the Nintendo Switch Online membership raises the value proposition for the service, especially if you’re a die-hard Legend of Zelda fan. However, the base price for both games has gone up. If you don’t already own Breath of the Wild or Tears of the Kingdom, the Nintendo Switch 2 editions are $70 and $80, respectively.
The price is determined by the original cost of the game plus the upgrade pack price. If you’ve been interested in playing these two classic Switch titles but haven’t taken the plunge yet — and you’re a Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscriber — now’s the time. You’ll be able to save $10 per title if you already own it, but there doesn’t seem to be any discount for NSO subscribers if you’re buying the games new.
All of the best Switch games are even better on the OLED, but the same can be said about the Switch 2. While there are a handful of original Switch games that are getting paid Switch 2 Editions with massive improvements and extra content, almost all of the current Switch library will be playable on the new hardware thanks to backwards compatibility.
On top of that, we will begin to see more and more Switch 2 exclusive games going forward and fewer cross-generational games.
Last up, there’s the price tag. Nintendo consoles have not gone down in price since release outside of rare sales or bundles, so expect these prices to hold (or possibly go up in the case of the Switch 2).
You can get a new Switch OLED for $350, while the Switch 2 is currently priced $100 more at $450. However, that price may not be final given the uncertain nature of tariffs impacting the market.
Will the Switch 2 work with my Switch Dock?
Rather than reinvent the wheel with the Switch 2, Nintendo has stuck to the winning formula of the Switch and created what is essentially a more powerful version of its hybrid console. While there are plenty of differences between the Switch vs. Switch 2, it is still meant to serve as a handheld and home console when placed in the dock. A new Switch 2 will come with a dock like you would expect, but current Switch owners may have one or more docks already that you may want to use with your Switch 2. We’ve already talked about whether or not the Switch 2 is backwards compatible with the best Switch games, but what about hardware like the dock or controllers? Let’s see if your old docks will be able to handle the Switch 2’s power.
Sadly, you cannot use your old Switch dock with the Switch 2. This is for a few reasons, but the big one is, well, how big the Switch 2 is. The new console is not that much larger than the old one, but big enough that it won’t even fit within your dock if you try.
The bigger reason is that the Switch 2 is far more powerful than the Switch and the old dock wouldn’t be able to output Switch 2 games. This new dock is capable of running upcoming Switch 2 games at up to 4K graphics or 120fps, which is far more than what the Switch could do. The Switch 2 will come with a dock so there’s no need to worry about making an extra purchase unless you really need two docks, in which case you will need to buy two consoles or purchase another dock second-hand.
