Is the Switch OLED still 720p?
As an avid Nintendo gamer and industry commentator, one of the most common questions I‘ve been asked about the newly released Switch OLED model is if the resolution got a bump over the original Switch‘s 720p display in handheld mode.
The answer is no – the Switch OLED retains the same 1280×720 screen resolution when undocked, and can output up to 1920×1080 (1080p) when connected to a TV.
On paper, those resolution numbers seem quite low compared to the 4K gaming offered by the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X consoles. Not to mention phones like the iPhone 14 Pro Max with its exceptional 2556×1242 display.
However, there are good reasons why chasing a higher pixel count wouldn‘t necessarily benefit the Switch as a hybrid portable device.
Switch OLED Resolutions and Specs
Let‘s break down the official specs across a few key areas:
Display
- Handheld: 7-inch OLED screen @ 720p
- Docked: Up to 1080p output
Processor and Memory
- Nvidia custom Tegra X1 Mariko chip
- 4GB RAM
- 64GB storage (upgrade from 32GB in base model)
As we can see, aside from minor improvements like doubled internal storage, the OLED model retains the same internals and display resolution profile that Nintendo has optimized the Switch experience around from day one.
The Benefits of 720p for the Switch
The Switch is designed first and foremost as a portable gaming device. Graphics power always comes second to maintaining accessible retail pricing, battery efficiency, and a travel-friendly size.
Pushing the handheld resolution above 720p would likely come at the cost of increased manufacturing expenses or decreased battery life – requiring a larger screen and battery would negatively impact portability too.
By sticking to 720p, Nintendo ensures game visuals shine on the Switch‘s 6.2 to 7-inch displays without appearing overly small or hard to resolve. Fonts and UI elements retain legibility as well.
And thanks to the OLED panel, those 720p games look stunning with enhanced colors and contrast – Wind Waker HD on that screen is a sight to behold!
When docked and outputting 1080p to a TV, the results also punch above their weight class. Nintendo‘s talented developers have proven you don‘t need 4K assets and effects to create artistically gorgeous, stylistically unmatched games.
Hope for a 1080p "Switch Pro"?
Of course, for bleeding edge graphics fidelity, a boost to 1080p handheld/4K docked would be great to see in a rumored Switch Pro down the line. Realistically though, a future Pro model will probably still top out at 1080p handheld like Nvidia‘s Shield devices. And upscaled 4K seems more feasible than native 4K rendering.
For now, the Switch OLED offers the perfect balance of premium display quality and proven portable-optimized performance. Core fans should find the enhancements worthwhile as their favorite games shine like never before on the superb OLED panel.
Casual gamers can continue enjoying the Nintendo Switch experience as intended without worrying about incremental upgrades. Overall game libraries, accessory compatibility, form factor portability, and cost efficiency remain consistent with earlier Switch models as well.
So while the 720p handheld resolution spec seems dated on paper, it exemplifies Nintendo‘s laser focus on portable playability. And the OLED model delivers precisely where fans wanted – a bigger, better display in a familiar package that plays all the same games seamlessly. For the target market, that ticks all the right boxes.
