A Full Review of the Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo’s hotly anticipated new Switch is here! Admittedly, it’s rather more of a refresh than a whole new console. That said, the revised OLED Switch looks better than ever. At the same time, on the surface, at least, not much has changed. Nintendo fans might immediately notice a tweaked kickstand and dock.

Neither tweak is remotely groundbreaking, of course. The new $350 OLED Switch offers more storage, which is a nice, useful addition. Still, all that will ultimately really matter to most people is the revised Switch’s upgraded display.

The device is also a fraction larger at 7 inches versus the 6.2-inch screen on the $300 original model. However, size-wise, this meager 0.8-inch increase is fairly inconsequential. What’s most important is that it’s now an OLED display, rather than an LCD one.

Let’s start with what matters the most, and that’s the new Switch’s slightly larger OLED screen. Frankly, it’s a triumph. Although only a smidgen bigger than the original, it’s a marked improvement in brightness, contrast, vibrancy, and perceived sharpness.

Moreover, it barely adds to the overall size and weight of the Switch itself. In fact, the new OLED-equipped Nintendo Switch is just 22 grams heavier than its LCD-reliant stablemate.

Dimensions-wise, the new screen only added one-tenth of an inch to the overall height of the device. All of the Switch’s other measurements remain unchanged by utilizing space previously wasted by its bezel.

Despite getting a new screen, the console’s frame rate and resolution figures remain the same, which may surprise people. Of course, you could criticize Nintendo for not innovating further, but nobody should have any reason to do so. That’s because simply moving to the latest OLED tech does everything that it needs to in terms of improving what’s already a brilliant console.

The revised 2021 model Nintendo Switch also gets a tweaked dock and a more robust kickstand. While this isn’t the long-rumored Switch Pro, small additions like these certainly help to take Nintendo’s latest offering to another level alongside its vastly improved display.

The older model’s kickstand was, frankly, flimsy to the point of bordering on useless. Thankfully, the new version is much, much better.

The Nintendo Switch OLED’s dock has also had a minor facelift with rounded corners and a new white finish. Other key improvements include an extra 32GB of built-in storage for 64GB in total and the addition of a LAN port.

Eagle-eyed (and eared) Switch fans may also spot several other modifications, including:

Pretty much everything else remains unchanged, including the latest Switch’s Joy-Con controllers, dreaded drifting issues included. The OLED model’s touted average battery life stays the same, too, at around five hours, despite the marked improvements made to the console’s display.

For those who prefer handheld mode, the Switch OLED is definitely worth it. Unfortunately, that poses something of a quandary for existing owners. Whether it’s worth upgrading will largely depend on if an individual feels inclined to spend $350 on a new console. Selling or trading in a first-generation Switch should help offset some of the cost, but it’ll still likely involve a reasonably sizable outlay.

For newcomers to the console, it may be good to compare the two variants side-by-side to determine whether the OLED version is worth the extra money. However, it’s genuinely hard not to be wowed by the improved screen, so it’s reasonable to assume that the majority of people will plump for the Nintendo console’s latest incarnation.

Arguably, there’s nothing wrong with the cheaper version either. However, kids and those less concerned about having the best possible display may be entirely uninterested in Nintendo’s move to OLED tech.

The same goes for anyone who will use a Switch exclusively when connected to their TV. Where that’s the case, and with discounts likely to follow, it may be possible to grab something of a bargain by shopping around for an LCD model.

Overall, though, it’s tough to argue with spending an extra $50 for what the new OLED screen alone brings to the table. More storage is a bonus as well, as are Nintendo’s other tweaks to its best-selling console.

Whether you’re looking to upgrade to the latest model or buying your first Switch console, remember to pick up an extended warranty at the same time.

Upsie is proud to offer a range of video gaming warranties that cost up to 70 percent less than warranties offered elsewhere. Upsie’s warranties will protect your Nintendo Switch from drops, dead pixels, power failures, and more. They also cover accidents like liquid spills and screen cracks.

In addition, customers can make unlimited claims up to the purchase price of the device. Repairs are easy, and customers can choose between local repairs or shipped repairs. Also, if repairs don’t make sense on the first claim, Upsie will replace the device.