After years of rumours and speculation, Nintendo finally lifted the lid on its revised and upgraded Switch system in June 2021 and the Nintendo Switch OLED Model launched on October 8th (the same day as Metroid Dread).

The newer system features a larger 7-inch OLED screen (the standard console has a 6.2-inch LCD screen), a wider kickstand, enhanced audio through new in-built speakers, a LAN port in the dock, and 64GB of internal storage (double the 32GB of the standard model). The Joy-Con and the dock also come in a fetching new colour variant, as you can see above.

However, it seems to have fallen short of the hype surrounding the rumoured Switch Pro, offering a 720p image on its screen and a 1080p image when docked and played on your TV. Nintendo has confirmed that the CPU and RAM remain unchanged when compared to the original Switch model.

Look, let's dive into all these questions and more...

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - The Details

Here are the full details from Nintendo's official PR:

Nintendo Switch (OLED model) has a similar overall size to the Nintendo Switch system, but with a larger, vibrant 7-inch OLED screen with vivid colors and crisp contrast. Nintendo Switch (OLED model) also features a wide adjustable stand for tabletop mode, a new dock with a wired LAN port, 64GB of internal storage, and enhanced audio for handheld and tabletop play. Just like Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch (OLED model) allows players to play on the TV and share the detachable Joy-Con controllers for right-out-of-the-box multiplayer fun. And just like both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite, with Nintendo Switch (OLED model), the system can be taken on the go to enjoy its play-anywhere versatility. A carrying case and screen protector set for Nintendo Switch (OLED model) will also be available.

Nintendo Switch (OLED model) will let players experience enhancements in all three play modes:

TV mode: Set the Nintendo Switch (OLED model) system into the dock to play Nintendo Switch games on the TV. By using the built-in wired LAN port, players can enjoy another way to connect online in TV mode.

Tabletop mode: Flip the stand on the back of the system and use the system’s screen to play multiplayer games using two Joy-Con controllers right out of the box. A wide adjustable stand makes for a solid and sturdy foundation. It allows players to freely tilt the system and adjust the viewing angle, so it makes it easier to see the screen.

Handheld mode: Players can bring the system wherever they go in handheld mode and play local or online multiplayer with friends. The system’s 7-inch OLED screen provides vivid color and crisp contrast.

When the system launches, it will come in two color options:
- Nintendo Switch (OLED model) white set, which features white Joy-Con controllers, a black main unit and a white dock.
- Nintendo Switch (OLED model) neon red/neon blue set, which features neon red and neon blue Joy-Con controllers, a black main unit and a black dock.

All previously released Joy-Con for Nintendo Switch are compatible with this new model. Additionally, Nintendo Switch (OLED model) is compatible with the full library of Nintendo Switch games.

We first heard whispers of a 'Switch Pro' way back in January 2019, with various sources believing such a console was just around the corner. The main upgrades here are the 7-inch OLED screen, improved speakers and a LAN port in the dock, rather than any extra horsepower.

Perhaps the huge success of the base model, the surprise of the pandemic, and any other number of factors you want to throw into the mix ended up delaying this announcement.

Should you buy one, though? If you're unsure if this makes it worth the purchase, then check out our comprehensive guide here.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - The Screen

Nintendo Switch OLED Model
Image: Nintendo

As the name suggests, the screen really is the main reason to get excited about this revised model, and if you're not fussed about that, then you might be better off sticking with your existing console – even Nintendo employees are saying it.

Here are the raw facts about the Switch OLED Model's screen, and how it stacks up against other members of the Switch family:

  • The new Nintendo Switch OLED console has a 7-inch OLED multi-touch capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1280x720p
  • The standard Nintendo Switch console has a 6.2-inch LCD multi-touch capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1280x720p
  • The handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch LCD multi-touch capacitive touch screen with a resolution of 1280x720p

Simply put, OLED offers illumination on a per-pixel basis, meaning each pixel on the screen can be illuminated individually. Conversely, LCD screens rely on illumination from larger backlights which can result in light spill and dark areas of the screen that appear 'grey' rather than black — think about how the illuminated 'black' screen looks on your Switch when you first turn it on.

Therefore, thanks to the localised illumination OLED technology offers, the screen on the new Switch OLED model will have deeper blacks, better contrast and a more vibrant look over the LCD versions.

OLED can also offers benefits in terms of battery life — no power is 'wasted' lighting areas of the screen that shouldn't be illuminated, so OLED screens are more power-efficient. Nintendo is apparently using the same battery for the new model (Lithium-ion battery / 4310mAh) and its manufacturer estimates for battery life on the new OLED Switch model are identical to the standard Switch — 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the factors such as the game you're playing, screen brightness and wireless connectivity.

The new Switch does have a bigger screen which will draw more power, and according to Nintendo's estimates, the savings made through OLED efficiency will be eaten up by the extra 0.8 inches of the new screen.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - Joy-Con

Nintendo previously confirmed that the Joy-Con which come with the OLED Model are the same as the standard Joy-Con, so you can use them with older Switch systems – as well as use your existing Joy-Con with the new model. It would seem that there are no improvements or additions to these Joy-Con, outside of them being white – so those hoping for a hardware fix for 'Joy-Con drift' may be disappointed.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - Dock

Nintendo Switch OLED Model
Image: Nintendo

The OLED Model also has a redesigned dock, which comes with a built-in LAN port so you can enjoy low-latency wireless gaming. As is the case with the Joy-Con, this dock is compatible with the original Switch too.

You can purchase the dock separately, but only from Nintendo's online store.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model
Image: Nintendo
Nintendo Switch OLED Model
Image: Nintendo

It's worth noting that the Switch OLED Model gets its own carry case, although, in reality, it's very similar to previous official Switch carry cases – just in a slightly different colour. It does come with some screen protectors, though!

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - Technical Specifications

You can see how the Switch OLED Model compares to the original Switch and Switch Lite here.

Size 4 inches high, 9.5 inches long, and 0.55 inches deep (with Joy-Con attached)
*The depth from the tip of the analog sticks to the tip of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches
Weight Approximately .71 lbs
(Approximately .93 lbs with Joy-Con controllers attached)
Screen Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 7.0 inch OLED screen / 1280x720
CPU/GPU NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
Storage 64 GB
Users can easily expand storage space using microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB (sold separately).
Wireless Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant) / Bluetooth 4.1
Video output Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode
Up to 720p via built-in screen in Tabletop mode and Handheld modes
Audio output Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output
Output via HDMI connector in TV mode
Speakers Stereo
Buttons Power button / Volume button
USB connector USB Type-C
Used for charging or for connecting to the Nintendo Switch dock.
Headphone/mic jack 3.5mm 4-pole stereo (CTIA standard)
Game card slot Nintendo Switch game cards
microSD card slot Compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC memory cards
*Once the microSDXC card is inserted, a system update will be necessary. An internet connection is required to perform this system update.
Sensor Accelerometer, gyroscope, and brightness sensor
Operating environment 41-95 degrees F / 20-80% humidity
Internal battery Lithium-ion battery / 4310mAh
Battery life

Approximately 4.5 - 9 hours
The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild.

Charging time Approximately 3 hours
*When charging while the hardware is in sleep mode

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - Games & Switch Online

Nintendo has built up an impressive library of games for Switch since 2017, and all those games are playable on Switch OLED. If you're looking for something to play on the new system, there's plenty to choose from for more information refer to our Best Switch Games guides.

Nintendo Switch Online is the company's subscription service that enables online play in games that have that mode and also offers access to a variety of NES, SNES and N64 games. Online multiplayer games such as Tetris 99 are also available to play for no extra charge for NSO subscribers, and this service is available on Switch OLED just as the other Switch consoles.

Nintendo Switch OLED Model - Where To Buy

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Frequently Asked Questions

Does the Switch OLED have better specs?

Kinda. The basic silicon under the hood is no more advanced, although features like the OLED screen and the improved kickstand offer significant upgrades over the base model.

Is Nintendo Switch OLED more powerful, then? It's not more powerful than the standard Switch, no — it's just got better features.

Is Switch OLED 4K ready?

No, Switch OLED does not have native 4K output.

Is the Switch OLED 120hz?

Also no.

So What Happened To The Switch Pro, Then?

Some of the 'Switch Pro' rumours we heard over the years came to pass in the Switch OLED Model, including a better screen, improved kickstand, and the inclusion of a LAN port on the dock. However, 4K output was nowhere to be seen and there was no power boost in the hardware, either. Does that mean that the Switch Pro was never coming?

In December 2022, noted tech outlet Digital Foundry claimed that Switch Pro was indeed a real thing at one point, but was cancelled by Nintendo in favour of sticking with the base Switch model and focusing R&D on a full Switch successor.


And that wraps up our Switch OLED guide. Let us know in the comments section below if you've got any suggestions, tips or questions about the new Switch.

[source twitter.com]