The Nintendo Switch has confirmed massively profitable since its introduction in 2017. Worldwide gross sales topped 111 million simply 5 years later and the Japanese gaming large appears to have discovered its toes once more.
There’s only one downside: which of the three Swap consoles do you have to purchase?
The usual Nintendo Swap was joined by the handheld-only Switch Lite in 2019, with the upgraded mannequin – Switch OLED – now formally within the wild, too.
On this information, we’ll be offering a short overview of every console with the intention to show you how to separate them extra clearly and uncover which is the precise one for you.
Which Nintendo Swap? Swap vs Swap Lite vs Swap OLED
Regardless of which Nintendo Swap you select, it is possible for you to to play the overwhelming majority, if not all, of present or future Swap video games. The one caveat is that, as a handheld-only console, the Swap Lite isn’t able to taking part in video games designed for movement gameplay utilizing particular person Pleasure-Cons. The opposite two consoles can play all Swap video games with out exception.
The Nintendo Swap and Swap OLED fashions are able to taking part in in handheld and TV modes. You may also use both to play multiplayer video games through the use of their respective display’s tabletop stand and every detachable Pleasure-Con as a person controller.
They each include a dock that provides an HDMI output, plus USB ports for connection to exterior gamepads and different equipment. When plugged right into a dock, Swap video games are introduced in as much as 1080p (Full HD) and 60 frames per second. When utilized in handheld mode, they run at as much as 720p and 60fps.
The Swap Lite isn’t appropriate with a dock, nor can it plug right into a TV. Nonetheless, its display is able to 720p and 60fps too.
Learn on to seek out out what every mannequin is all about, and in addition take into account our devoted Switch vs Switch OLED and Switch vs Switch Lite comparisons.

Nintendo Swap OLED
It is the most effective Swap for our cash, providing the most effective of all worlds.
- Dimensions: 102mm x 242mm x 13.9mm (with Pleasure-Cons connected)
- Weight: 320g
- Show: 7-inch OLED, 720p60
- Storage: 64GB
- TV mode: Sure, 1080p60
- Battery life: As much as 9 hours
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the most recent addition to the household.
Take into account it a slight improve to the unique Swap, however not maybe as completely different as some may need hoped.
It’s similar in some ways to the Swap, together with measurement and type issue, however has a 7-inch 720p OLED show, as a substitute. This offers a wider viewing angle, extra punchy colors and higher distinction. Additionally, as there isn’t any backlight (OLED pixels are self-illuminating) the bezel is smaller. This enables for the bigger display to suit the identical dimensions as the usual model.
The Pleasure-Cons are the identical as the unique, however there’s now a considerably bigger kickstand on the again of the show unit to make for extra regular two-player motion when used on a tabletop.
Processing, RAM and the remainder of the inside specs are similar to different Swap fashions, however you do get double the interior storage: 64GB this time. It is most likely nonetheless not sufficient for many, who will need to add a Switch microSD card, however it may match extra video games natively.
The brand new included dock has been very barely restyled, too, with a curvier edge and a brand new LAN port for many who choose to hook up with their web router by cable.
Aside from that, there’s little else completely different concerning the Swap OLED. That improved show would possibly properly be sufficient for a lot of, although, and justifies the little additional it’s important to pay for the privilege.

Nintendo Swap
A revolutionary console, and for a lot of it is redefined on-the-go gaming.
- Dimensions: 102mm x 239mm x 13.9mm (with Pleasure-Cons connected)
- Weight: 297g
- Show: 6.2-inch LCD, 720p60
- Storage: 32GB
- TV mode: Sure, 1080p60
- Battery life: As much as 9 hours (claimed)
The Nintendo Switch you should purchase now isn’t technically the unique – it was upgraded a few years in the past, with a tweaked processor and higher battery life. You’ll be able to be sure to’re not shopping for the older mannequin in our helpful information right here: How to tell if you’re buying the new Nintendo Switch or the old one.
Aside from these minor updates, the premise is similar – it’s a video games console that works as successfully when plugged right into a TV because it does when used as a handheld, both elsewhere within the house or in your travels.
Video games might be downloaded or plugged right into a cartridge slot on the highest, though you’ll seemingly want to purchase a microSD card individually, as the interior 32GB of storage will fill shortly. It may not even be sufficient for simply one of the standard titles.
The Swap is a 2-in-1 console – it contains a handheld unit with a 6.2-inch 720p LCD touchscreen, plus two removable Pleasure-Con controllers. These can be utilized when clipped to both aspect of the display, for solo transportable gaming, as separate controllers for 2 gamers or extra, or as movement controllers for sure video games.
The display may double as a transportable show, with a small kickstand enabling you to put it at an angle on a tabletop.
The Swap additionally doubles as a TV console, when slotted into an included charging dock. In addition to charging your system, it has an HDMI output so you may play the identical video games on a TV in 1080p. Each the display and TV output are able to as much as 60fps.
Primarily, this model of the Swap continues to be nice for many who need to play each at house and when out and about. The OLED mannequin is the higher console total – significantly in the event you’ll use it in handheld mode quite a bit – however, with the usual Swap now coming in at a lesser value, this continues to be a really viable choice.

Nintendo Swap Lite
Maybe the most effective transportable console ever constructed.
- Dimensions: 91.1mm x 208mm x 13.9mm
- Weight: 275g
- Show: 5.5-inch LCD, 720p60
- Storage: 32GB
- TV mode: No
- Battery life: As much as 7 hours (claimed)
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a bit completely different to its bigger stablemates. It’s a handheld-only console, so doesn’t include removable Pleasure-Con controllers or a dock. It can’t be plugged right into a TV, both.
As an alternative, it’s lighter, as its title suggests, and much more transportable. The controls are constructed into the system and the display is extra compact. It has a 5.5-inch 720p LCD touchscreen that’s able to as much as 60fps gaming.
The processing unit is similar to the remainder of the household, nevertheless, so it’s not much less succesful. It will possibly additionally play nigh-on each Swap recreation obtainable now or coming quickly. The one exceptions are lots of those who require movement – as you do not have removable movement controllers. There’s nonetheless a movement sensor contained in the Swap Lite, so some work however not all.
Just like the Nintendo Swap above, you solely get 32GB of storage contained in the Swap Lite, so you need to take into account a microSD card for increasing that. A cartridge slot can also be current for boxed Swap video games.
Primarily, the Swap Lite is a perfect choice for many who needn’t plug their system right into a TV and simply need one thing smaller and simpler to chuck right into a bag.
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