The Nintendo Switch has been one of the most popular gaming consoles since its release in 2017 and with The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom already receiving votes for Game of the Year, we thought it would be best to look at the current Nintendo Switch lineup and help you decide which is best for you to pick up.
In this article, we’ll compare the Nintendo Switch, Switch Lite, and Switch OLED to help you make an informed decision. So let’s check out the features, pros, cons, and reasons why you’d pick either of the three.
Table of Contents
Similarities
First, let’s talk about what’s common among the Nintendo Switch lineup.
The first is that no matter which you get, you’ll be able to play the same games that are available on the Nintendo Switch platform whether by physical cards or on the digital store. The only difference being that the Switch Lite only supports games on Handheld mode.
Next is that all of them have the same Nvidia Tegra X1 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and also a microSD card slot for extra storage of any screenshots or recordings. However, the Switch Lite does come with a slightly modified Nvidia Tegra X1+ chip, which helps it be more efficient for a smaller console.
All of them also use the same OS when navigating between games or buying on Nintendo’s eShop. They all also feature WiFi, Bluetooth, and use USB-C for charging while also having the same button layouts.
Nintendo Switch
The original Nintendo Switch is a versatile gaming console that can be played in handheld, tabletop, and TV modes with its included dock.
It comes with detachable Joy-Con controllers that can be used by two players for local multiplayer games. It also has a kickstand that can be used to prop the console up on a table.
It has a 6.2-inch LCD touchscreen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels and a battery life of approximately 4.5 to 9 hours, depending on the game and usage.
Pros:
- Versatile gaming console that can be played in multiple modes
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers allow for local multiplayer
- Can be connected to a TV for a larger screen experience
Cons:
- Shorter battery life when compared to the Switch OLED
- Flimsier kickstand when compared to the Switch OLED
- Display isn’t as sharp or vibrant with thick, black bezels surrounding it
Our recommendation is that it’s best used for those who find themselves playing on the TV mostly when it’s docked.
Since getting the Switch OLED would serve no added benefit if docked primarily, and with the Switch Lite, you wouldn’t be able to dock it either way.
Nonetheless, the original Nintendo Switch is great for anyone who wants a versatile gaming console that can be played both at home and on the go. The Nintendo Switch costs PHP 13,995 as of writing.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a smaller and more affordable version of the Nintendo Switch. It’s designed for handheld use only, so it doesn’t come with detachable Joy-Con controllers or a dock with the ability to connect to a TV.
This means that users can only play games labeled for Handheld mode and can’t enjoy the same experience of using the Joy-Cons when playing multiplayer games or playing on a bigger TV.
Although Nintendo does say that players can wirelessly connect compatible controllers to the Switch Lite if they wish to play with others, but without a built-in kickstand, that could prove to be a hassle.
The Nintendo Switch Lite has a smaller 5.5-inch LCD touchscreen with the same resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which sounds inferior to the other Switch consoles.
But the fact that it’s smaller with the same resolution, means that it’s more pixel-dense with a 267 ppi compared to about 236 ppi on the original switch, making it a little bit sharper in person. There are also no thick, black bezels surrounding the display of the Switch Lite as to the ones seen on the original Switch, making it more aesthetically pleasing.
It also has a decent battery life, lasting approximately 3 to 7 hours depending on the game and usage. Moreover, a small yet nice benefit of the Switch Lite is that it has an actual D-Pad on the left rather than four individual buttons.
Pros:
- More affordable than the original Nintendo Switch and Switch OLED
- Smaller and lighter than other Switch consoles, making it more portable and easier to use on Handheld mode
- D-pad on the left side instead of four individual buttons
- No thick, black bezels surrounding the display
Cons:
- Can’t be used with a TV and dock
- No detachable Joy-Con controllers
- Only ideal when playing games on Handheld mode
- Shorter battery life
The Nintendo Switch Lite with its smaller screen and decent battery life is a great option for anyone who wants a more affordable and portable Switch for gaming on the go when at school, work, or when traveling a lot.
But if your primary use of a Switch is on the TV or playing with friends, then maybe look at the original Switch or Switch OLED. The Nintendo Switch Lite costs PHP 9,750 as of writing.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the most recent addition to the Nintendo Switch family launched back in 2021.
It also comes with a dock that now has an added Ethernet port. The Switch OLED is similar to the original Switch in terms of functionality and design, but with an improved screen and other enhancements.
The Nintendo Switch OLED features a larger 7-inch OLED touchscreen with a resolution of 1280 x 720 pixels, which in fact is less pixel-dense than the other two, but it being an OLED display gives a far sharper and more vibrant viewing experience, making the original Switch and Switch Lite seem pretty dated.
Although it’s rated for the same 4.5 to 9 hours of battery life as the original Switch, most users have reported that the Switch OLED actually gets the best battery life of all the Switch consoles due to its more power-efficient OLED screen.
Another advantage of getting the Switch OLED is that it comes with double the storage at 64GB, a much sturdier and wider kickstand at the back, better speakers, as well as that added Ethernet port in its dock.
It’s also worth noting that the Joy-Con controllers remain the same as the original Switch, with no significant upgrades in design or functionality.
Pros:
- Larger and better-quality screen than the original Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite
- Longer battery life than the original Nintendo Switch
- Comes with an Ethernet port and enhanced speakers
- Double the storage at 64GB compared to only 32GB on the original Switch and Switch Lite
Cons:
- More expensive than the original Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite
- No significant upgrades to the Joy-Con controllers
- May be too bulky for some users
The Nintendo Switch OLED is hands down the best Switch out there but it’s also the most expensive. So if you got the budget for it, we’d say it’s worth it , most especially with its larger and higher-quality display.
It’s ideal for individuals who play games both in handheld mode and on a TV and want the best of both worlds. The Nintendo Switch OLED costs PHP 16,295 as of writing.
Conclusion
So which one should you get? Well, it depends on what your needs are and what your prefer.
If you simply want the best experience and have the budget for it, then getting the Nintendo Switch OLED is simply the clear winner.
Its bigger, clearer, and more vibrant display when compared to the original Siwtch and Switch Lite is simply night and day with it being significantly better.
Then you also get the added benefits of double the storage, a better kickstand, better speakers, and an Ethernet port on the dock.
The original Nintendo Switch is also still a great option, but we recommend this if you find yourself playing on TV mode and hooked up to the Dock most of the time.
Since if you do so, there isn’t really a point in spending more to get the Switch OLED if you mostly play on the TV.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is the best if you find yourself traveling a lot, chucking it in the bag a ton, or if you’re simply looking for a primarily handheld Switch console.
It’s also arguably the best experience for handheld mode with its lighter design, more pixel-dense display, and no ugly, thick bezels surrounding it.
But there’s also another option. With it being 2 years since Nintendo released the latest Switch OLED, seeing a new Switch come out sometime this year could in fact be a very real possibility. So if you got a bit of patience, you could enjoy the newest Switch to be released.
Nonetheless, you can’t go wrong with any one of them. Do let us know which Switch is your favorite and why down in the comments!
