which Nintendo Switch to choose?

Which Nintendo Switch to buy in 2024?

Since the very first Nintendo Switch, released in March 2017, the Kyoto company has released its portable console in three versions. First, by offering since 2019 a small Switch Lite — a purely portable version — then by presenting an improved model, the Switch OLEDin October 2021.

Nintendo is clearly making a splash with its latest consoles, since the company has sold more than 140 million Switches since 2017, and it has become its best-selling home console.

Please note that a “Nintendo Switch 2” is expected sometime in 2025. The hybrid console concept should be retained. Here’s everything we know about Nintendo’s future console.

If you are thinking of changing models or trying out the Japanese manufacturer’s hybrid console for the first time, here is an overview to find out what the differences are between the Switch, the Switch OLED and the Switch Lite.

Will this be your first Switch? Discover all our tips for getting started on the Nintendo console. To accompany your new console, you can offer it additional controllers. You will also find our selection of the best accessories for the Switch, as well as that of the best audio products for the hybrid console. For those looking for the oldest Nintendo machines, discover our buying guide to the best retrogaming consoles.

The differences between the Switch, the Switch Oled and the Switch Lite on design

Two options are available to you in the use and therefore the choice of the product:

• The hybrid version that you can connect to your TV or take with you in portable mode, with the Classic switch and the Switch OLED ;
• The portable only version with the Nintendo Switch Litewhich cannot be connected to a TV.

The classic Switch and the OLED Switch have almost similar appearances (102 mm x 239 mm x 13.9 mm). Only the dimensions of the screen and the support on the back vary.

If you prefer a smaller model, the Nintendo Switch Lite is actually more compact (91.1 mm x 208 mm x 13.9 mm) and much lighter.

The two hybrid Switches have a docking station (the dock) to recharge and be connected to an external screen. Note that the first Switch had a very small plastic kickstand, very impractical and very fragile, to stand upright away from the dock. On the OLED model, this kickstand has been widened to the entire width of the console to be more stable. It is even possible to tilt the console much more than before for gaming comfort.

As for the speakers, they have been repositioned a little lower under the screen on the OLED model and appear wider than on the classic version. Nintendo also announces “improved sound”. The Switch Lite also offers two stereo speakers positioned below the front screen. The 3.5mm jack is present on each of the three models.

We also note differences in weight between the different models:

• Nintendo Switch: 398 g with Joy-Con;
• Nintendo Switch OLED: 420 g with Joy-Con;
• Nintendo Switch Lite : 275 g environ.

OLED screen vs LCD screen

The main difference between the three models is the screen. Both the Switch and Switch Lite have an LCD capacitive touch panel. It offers a diagonal of 6.2 inches on the Switch and 5.5 inches on the Switch Lite (the same size as the screen of an iPhone 13 mini!).

The new version of the Nintendo Switch features a capacitive touch screen now OLED which increases to 7 inches. With this change, the screen is larger, but above all brighter, with more vibrant colors and much better contrast. Nintendo has managed to keep the same size for its console and the borders are thinner compared to the previous model.

Unfortunately, Nintendo, as is often the case, did things halfway and did not take the opportunity to integrate a Full HD screen, limiting itself to 720p. The maximum definition offered is thus the same on the screen of the two hybrid Switches (1280 × 720 – 1080p/60 fps is reserved for TV mode). The resolution is actually less good on the Switch OLED, since its screen is larger, without the definition changing…

Joy-Con controllers

Both Nintendo Switch et Switch OLED use the same Joy-Con, with HD vibrations and the infrared motion sensor camera. A pair is supplied with the console and all of the controllers will be compatible on either hybrid console. There are different colors of official Joy-Con, which can be mixed with each other. A pair of Joy-Con is sold for 64.90 euros.

As for the problem of Joy-Con drift which hit the headlines, it is clear that Nintendo has still not managed to resolve the problem. Fortunately, the company now supports the repair of faulty Joy-Cons via its SAVeven if the console is no longer under warranty. For a hassle-free alternative, we advise you to find a model in our Switch controller guide that corresponds to your uses.

The Switch Lite, on the other hand, does not have detachable Joy-Cons. Consequently, it does not have vibrations either, which is regrettable as we are now used to it in gaming. The controls are integrated on this portable version only. On the other hand, but you can still connect Joy-Con or an additional controller.

Hybrid or portable: with or without dock?

The classic Switch and the OLED Switch can be connected to a television or monitor with an HDMI socket, because they are sold with a dock (docking station in French). Both have an HDMI port on this dock, power and two side USB ports. The OLED Switch also has a LAN port to connect to the internet via an Ethernet cable.

On both consoles, if you detach the Joy-Con controllers, it is also possible to use them in tabletop mode by resting the screen on the stand. In both cases, you can have 1 to 8 players on a console. Both models can also be used in portable mode anywhere: it is this hybrid side that makes the Switch original.

The Nintendo Switch Lite can only be used in portable mode. But you can, however, try multiplayer on the console’s small screen by connecting a Joy-Con or a compatible controller.

All three models are compatible with Bluetooth 4.1 and Wi-Fi 5.

Which Nintendo Switch has the best battery life?

If you had the very first Nintendo Switch, you will feel a difference. On the other hand, if you purchased the Japanese console later, you have undoubtedly inherited the improved version of 2019, particularly in terms of autonomy. This now extends from 4.5 to 9 hours depending on the game (the prize for gluttony initially going to The Legend of Zelda : Breath of the Wild which had then gained 1 hour 30 minutes of play between the two versions). The OLED model has the same battery and autonomy as the 2019 version.

On the other hand, the Switch Lite’s battery shows between 3 and 6 hours of use, maximum.

The different storage capacities

The question of storage space has always been a sensitive subject with the Switch. The very first must be satisfied with 32 GB, which can quickly be filled. You can then add a microSD card (micro SDHC or microSDXC) to expand the storage up to 2TB. You will need to purchase this separately. For example, you can turn to the 256 GB SanDisk microSDXC sold for 30 euros.

Good news: the new Switch OLED increases the onboard space to 64 GB with the possibility of also using a microSD card. The Switch Lite, on the other hand, has 32 GB of memory.

Colors available for Switch

If you like color, Switch Lite may have a chance of winning your votes. It is now available in turquoise, jaune, gris, coralas well as bleu.

The Switch OLED is as for her available in white with matching dock and Joy-Con, or in black with black dock and blue and red controllers. It also exists in several limited editions, including a special edition Splatoon 3at 340 euros, therefore a little more expensive than the base model. Nintendo is very fond of these special editions: a version in the colors of Pokémon Scarlet and Purple had for example been proposed. And on the occasion of the release of Zelda : Tears of the KingdomNintendo is releasing a host of accessories, including an OLED Switch in the colors of the game.

The Switch classic is offered as standard with gray Joy-Con or neon blue and red. As with the OLED model, numerous color variations of well-known titles have appeared in recent years, like the version Animal Crossing : New Horizons or Pokémon Let’s Go. These models are more difficult to obtain.

Many colored Joy-Cons are also available for purchase, at the same time, which you can also mix according to your tastes to have a personalized Switch. The Switch Pro controller also has many variations (including the pretty version for Zelda  : Tears of the Kingdom).

Compatible games on the Switch

From this side, it’s simple: all the games to download from the Nintendo eShop or in cartridges can be used on the Nintendo Switch, Switch OLED and Switch Lite. With a few exceptions for the Lite: certain games (very few) using the specific features of the Joy-Con (for example Mario Party) are not playable on the portable model.

Price and availability of Nintendo Switch OLED, Lite and classic

The Switch first of the name has a public price of 329 euros (no change for the improved version) but it is now regularly found around 270 euros.

The Switch Lite appears, for its part, at the public price of 199 euros, but it is often found at 196 euros.

The Switch OLED is initially offered at 349.99 euros. It is most often priced around 320 euros.

If you have the budget, choose the Switch OLED, because it is the most advanced version of the Japanese console.

What about the classic Switch (enhanced version)? It can only be interesting if you find it at a good price, around 260 euros or less.

The Switch Lite, for its part, has serious arguments in its favor. Its official price, already, of 199 euros, is very attractive. It will be perfect for casual players, as well as children. If you don’t have a television or screen, and you don’t plan to change that, also opt for the Lite.

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