WANT a new Nintendo console but can’t work out which model is right for you?
We break down the key differences between the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch Lite and the new Nintendo Switch OLED.
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Nintendo Switch
The Nintendo Switch is the main version of the console, launched back in 2017.
It was quietly updated with better battery life in 2019, but is largely the same console.
You can use the Switch as a handheld device, or dock it and connect to your TV.
It has a 6.2-inch LED-backlit LCD screen built-in.
Detachable Joy-Con controllers let you play wirelessly, and can be shared among friends or family for multiplayer.
The Switch is Nintendo’s main console, so you get access to the firm’s entire roster of new games.
You’ll pay £279.99 or $299.99 for the Nintendo Switch today.
Small price cuts and high-value bundles do appear, but typically only around Black Friday.
It’s available in a Grey variant, or the more iconic Blue and Red colourway.
Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED is the supercharged version of the Switch.
It was unveiled in July 2021, but won’t be out until October 8.
The main change is that Nintendo has fitted the Switch with a 7-inch OLED screen.
It’s a special type of display found on high-end TVs and smartphones, offering better contrast and a wider range of colours.
They’re typically more battery-efficient too, although life-per-charge will depend on your usage – and how Nintendo has configured the machine.
It can be used in handheld mode, connected to a TV via a new dock, or used in Tabletop Mode with a built-in kickstand.
The screen itself offers HD 720p gaming, although you can achieve Full HD 1080p at 60 frames-per-second while docked.
You’ll pay $349.99 in the US or £309.99 in the UK.
And it’s available in the classic Red and Blue option, or a new White paintjob.
Nintendo Switch Lite
The Nintendo Switch Lite is the pared-down version of the Switch, launched in September 2019.
It’s the smallest, cheapest and most colourful option.
Screen size is smaller, with a 5.5-inch LCD display.
Importantly, the Switch Lite is a handheld-only device.
That means you can’t dock it to a TV, and will have to rely entirely on the machines built-in display.
The Joy-Cons also won’t detach – the joysticks and buttons are built directly into the device.
But unlike its siblings, the Lite comes in a range of five colours, including: Blue, Yellow, Grey, Turqouise, and Coral.
The Nintendo Switch Lite is also cheaper, coming in at £199 in the UK and $199.99 in the US.
