See How the Nintendo Switch 2’s specs Stack Up Against the First One

Nintendo Switch 2 preorders are presently in progress manage to find a store with inventory As we get closer to the console’s June 5 launch date, it’s fitting to take a moment for reflection. TheSwitch series has been around for over eight years, andNintendohas introduced notable alterations with this new model. If you own an original Switch and are considering purchasing a Switch 2, you may be curious about how these two versions stack up against each other.

Now, Nintendo didn't just release one console during the Switch era: It released three. There's the original Switch , the Switch OLED , and the Switch Lite . I'm taking a look at all three and comparing their specs to the new Switch 2 . While we'll need to wait for reviews to directly compare the overall experience of these different devices, we can at least get a sense for them on paper.

Dimensions

Right off the bat, all of Nintendo's Switches feel very different. The Switch 2 is the largest, coming in at 4.5 inches tall by 10.7 inches wide by 0.55 inches thick. That's with the Joy-Con 2s attached, mind you. Nintendo says the thickness from the tip of the joysticks to the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.2 inches. It weighs 0.88 lbs on its own, or 1.18 lbs with the Joy-Cons attached.

The original Switch is smaller: It's 4 inches by 9.4 inches by 0.55 inches. (The joysticks to the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches.) It also weighs a little less: 0.66 lbs without Joy-Cons, or 0.88 with. It's interesting to note that the Switch 2's display is equal to the weight of the original Switch with Joy-Cons attached.

The Switch OLED closely mirrors the original Switch in size: measuring 4 inches by 9.5 inches by 0.55 inches, it keeps the same Joy-Con measurements as the initial model. Nevertheless, regarding weight, it sits squarely between others; tipping the scales at 0.71 lbs sans Joy-Cons, and 0.93 lbs when they're attached.

The Switch Lite is the most compact option available: It measures 3.6 inches by 8.2 inches by 0.55 inches (adding an extra 1.12 inches when including the joystick sticks and ZL/ZR buttons integrated within), with a weight of approximately 0.61 pounds.

Display

The Switch 2 has the largest screen of any Nintendo device ever. It comes with a 7.9 inch LCD, with a resolution of 1920 x 1080. It supports HDR10, and has a VRR (variable refresh rate) of up to 120Hz.

The original Switch also uses LCD for the screen, but its display is much smaller: The OG has a 6.2-inch screen with a resolution of 1280 x 720. There is no HDR support, and the display supports a refresh rate of 60Hz. It's the same situation with the Switch Lite, only it has an even smaller 5.5-inch LCD (this is the most portable Switch, after all).

The Switch OLED, of course, has an OLED display. That means that each of the pixels on this Switch's display can be shut off individually, which allows for much deeper blacks than an LCD can reproduce. Still, the Switch OLED's display is 7 inches, nearly a full inch smaller than the Switch 2, with no HDR support. It's also the same 720p resolution as the original Switch, so you won't see as much detail as compared to Nintendo's latest console.

Video output and dock

Nintendo limits the Switch's resolution in handheld mode, likely for battery reasons. But when docked, you can push the console further.

For example, the Switch 2 supports a maximum resolution of 4K (3840 x 2160) at 60 fps when connected to a TV. If you want to boost your game's frame rate to 120 fps (assuming the game supports it) you'll need to drop the resolution to at least 1440p, but you can also use 1080p if you like.

The original Switch and the Switch OLED can achieve up to a 1080p maximum resolution when connected to a TV via the dock. However, the Switch Lite does not have this capability because it is designed solely for portable play without external display options.

To connect to a TV, you require a dock. The Switch 2 dock closely resembles the OLED Switch dock; it’s marginally bigger yet includes identical dual USB 2.0 ports along with a LAN port. In contrast, the initial Switch dock featured an additional USB 2.0 port without the inclusion of a LAN port. Nevertheless, the most significant distinction lies in the fact that the new Switch 2 dock incorporates an active cooling system via a built-in fan, which aligns well with enhanced gaming performance during demanding sessions.

Joy-Cons

The detachable controllers for the Switch are named "Joy-Cons," and they serve as a distinctive feature of this specific chapter in Nintendo's history.

The new Joy-Cons, called Joy-Con 2, are 4.57-inches tall, 0.56 inches wide, and 1.2 inches thick. The left Joy-Con is 2.3 ounces, while the right is 2.4 ounces. That might have something to do with the right Joy-Cons "C-Button," which you can use for the new GameChat feature.

Nintendo's official spec page for its devices appears to be wrong for the original Joy-Cons, so I've sourced it from this specific Joy-Con page : The original Joy-Cons are 4.02 inches by 1.41 inches by 1.12 inches. The left Joy-Con is 1.73 ounces, while the right is 1.84 ounces.

Although all Joy-Cons include HD Rumble (which is Nintendo’s term for haptic feedback), the updated Joy-Cons feature an enhanced version called HD Rumble 2. Importantly though, the second variant of Joy-Cons supports Mouse Mode A function that enables you to utilize the Joy-Cons as you would a computer mouse on a flat surface.

You don’t link the Joy-Cons 2 in the same manner as the original ones when attaching them to the Switch 2; these use magnets for connection (indeed, they’re strong Magnets.) Although you don't insert the Joy-Cons into tracks as with the original Switch, you still pop them out using buttons located on the rear of the controllers.

Every model of Joy-Cons utilizes Bluetooth 3.0 technology, includes NFC functionality, and shares identical battery specifications: Charging them completely requires three and a half hours, providing approximately 20 hours of gameplay per full charge.

Battery

Unexpectedly, the Switch 2 does not Enhance the Switch family’s battery efficiency—even with its biggest battery yet. The Switch 2 comes equipped with a 5220mAh battery capable of lasting between two to 6.5 hours. (It should be noted that Nintendo cautions these figures are approximate, and actual runtime varies based on which games you're playing.)

When compared to the initial Switch and Switch OLED models, each equipped with a 4310mAh battery capable of lasting between 4.5 hours and nine hours, even the Switch Lite outperforms it with a lifespan ranging from three to seven hours thanks to its 3570mAh battery. This discrepancy is not unexpected since the new Switch model boasts significantly greater processing power than its predecessors. Consequently, sustaining gameplay at an enhanced frame rate such as 120fps will inevitably drain more battery life compared to standard games operating at resolutions like 720p and lower frame rates including 60 or 30 frames per second, or less.

Approximately three hours are needed for all consoles to charge when they are in sleep mode.

Storage and communications

The games for Switch 2 are probably the biggest Nintendo has developed, as the system supports significantly higher resolutions and frame rates compared to previous models. Therefore, it’s logical for Nintendo to include increased onboard storage: precisely 256GB.

The original Switch and Switch Lite come equipped with just 32GB of built-in storage, whereas the Switch OLED provides double that at 64GB. For additional capacity, you have the option to enhance this storage using a microSDHC or microSDXC card across these versions. However, when it comes to the Switch 2, although it does support extra memory, it’s limited to MicroSD Express cards, reducing your options somewhat.

Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6, a step up from Wi-Fi 5 on the original Switches. Those Switches support Bluetooth 4.1, while Nintendo says the Switch 2 supports "Bluetooth" without any additional information. It likely supports a newer standard than that, seeing as it's launching eight years after the original, but we don't know for sure at this point.

The Switch 2 also has a second USB-C port on the top of the unit. This is a great change that makes it possible to charge your Switch with the kickstand out.

Audio and video chat

For the first time, a Nintendo console has camera support. The Switch 2 lets you connect a webcam for use with GameChat, so you can see your friends while playing games—and they can see you. Nintendo sells a camera of its own, However, you can also utilize certain third-party webcams. .

The Switch 2 comes equipped with an integrated microphone for voice chat. This allows you to communicate via GameChat with your pals whether or not a camera is involved. However, keep in mind that their ability to hear you might suffer if your console and television are situated far apart from each other.

Regarding sound, the Switch 2 features "3D Audio," marketed for a more enveloping auditory experience. In essence, this means that sounds will appear to come directly from their source within the game. For instance, if a Mario Kart racer is chasing you, their engine noise ought to be perceived as emanating from behind you.

Games

Ultimately, the key aspect of any gaming console is its collection of games. Similar to other new consoles, theSwitch 2 does have exclusives , although there aren't quite as many as you might expect—not at release time anyway.

Some of the notable upcoming titles you will only be able to play on Switch 2 at this time are Mario Kart World , Donkey Kong Bananza , Drag X Drive , Hyrule Warriors: Era of Confinement, Kirby Air Riders , and Elden Ring Tarnished Edition . There are also the Nintendo Switch 2 Edition titles—original Nintendo Switch games with graphical boosts thanks to the upgraded hardware. That includes both Switch Zeldas ( Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom ), Super Mario Part Jamboree + Jamboree TV , Kirby and the Forgotten Land + Star Crossed World , Metroid Prime 4 Beyond , and Pokémon Legends ZA .

If you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, Switch 2 also supports GameCube titles. At launch, that includes The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker , Soulcalibur II , and F-Zero GX , but more are on the way.

You can buy Switch 2 games physically or digitally, but not all physical games are going to ship with the game itself. That's because some of these titles are " game-key cards ," which contain the "key" to let you download the game from the internet. Then, you can play the game—as long as you have the game-key inserted in your Switch. It's peculiar, but worth mentioning here, since the original Switch doesn't operate that way.

As one would anticipate, the Switch 2 has the capability to play Switch 1 games; however, this doesn’t fully qualify as true backward compatibility. The reason for this is that Switch 2 employs emulation to run Switch 1 titles. , and not all games perform smoothly through this emulation. Fingers crossed, Nintendo resolves these issues soon; however, if they do not, you may want to hold off on trading in your old Switch if you still wish to play Switch 1 titles.

Kickstand

Nintendo keeps enhancing the kickstand feature with every new Switch model. The initial version came with a narrow stand that could break off (but was simple enough to snap back into place using built-in magnets). With the introduction of the Switch OLED, they significantly upgraded this component, ensuring the kickstand now spans across the entire width of the device and can hold multiple positions. In the latest iteration, the Switch 2 boasts an even more versatile kickstand capable of supporting a wider range of viewing angles. While this might seem like a minor improvement, it’s still noteworthy.

Price

The Switch 2 was avoided a price hike due to the tariffs : The console runs for $449.99 , or $499.99 if you prefer. Mario Kart World Included together with this purchase, you likely desire that bundle since the game alone retails for $79.99. It’s worth noting not every Nintendo Switch 2 title comes at that price point. Donkey Kong Bananza costs $69.99, but Nintendo is no longer the company for $60 games across the board.

The initial version of the Switch has a retail price of $299.99, whereas theSwitch OLED model sells for $349.99. As for the Lite variant, which was first released at $199.99, it often appears on discount shelves.

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