Which is better: Nintendo Switch V2 or OLED?
Quick Take: The OLED Model Is Still Better For Portable Players
According to Nintendo‘s official specifications and trusted gaming sites, if you primarily play your Switch as a handheld, the new OLED Model is worth paying extra for. The OLED screen offers significantly richer colors, bolder contrast, and more immersive visuals, especially in dark rooms. However, for those who mostly play docked on a TV, the upgrade is less impactful. Read on for more details.
Display: Vibrant OLED Is a Major Upgrade for Portable Play
The OLED Model‘s 7-inch OLED screen blows away the 6.2-inch LCD on the V2. With pure black pixels and self-illuminating tech, OLED displays deliver the best contrasts and most vivid colors in today‘s display market. Expect deeper blacks, brighter highlights, and graphics that seem to pop from the panel. This makes games much more immersive on the go.
Visual Comparison
| Feature | V2 Model | OLED Model |
|---|---|---|
| Screen Type | LCD | OLED |
| Screen Size | 6.2-inches | 7-inches |
| Resolution | 1280 x 720 | 1280 x 720 |
| Pixel Density | 237 ppi | 345 ppi |
| Peak Brightness | ~390 nits | ~770 nits |
| Contrast | 1200:1 | Infinite |
| Colors | sRGB 99% | DCI-P3 107% |
Performance and Hardware: Identical Except for Storage
Under the hood, the OLED and V2 models pack the same Nvidia Tegra X1+ chipset with 4GB RAM, delivering identical framerates and gaming performance. They both support output up to 1080p docked or 720p handheld. The only hardware difference is onboard storage:
- OLED Model: 64GB
- V2 Model: 32GB
This allows the OLED to store about twice as many digital games. Both have microSD card slots to add more storage.
Battery, Audio, and Other Features
According to Nintendo, battery life is nearly equivalent at 4.5-9 hours, depending on the game. However, OLED screens tend to be more energy efficient, so lifespan could be slightly longer.
The OLED Model also touts enhanced built-in speakers for clearer, louder audio portable audio compared to the V2‘s middling speakers. It also comes with a wider, sturdier kickstand and wired LAN support on its dock.
Pricing: OLED Commands a $50 Premium
The MSRP pricing compares as:
- OLED Model: $349.99
- V2 Model: $299.99
So you‘re paying an extra $50 for the OLED display and some quality-of-life upgrades. Whether it‘s worth it depends on your priorities as a gamer.
The Verdict? It Depends on Gaming Preference
If you primarily play Switch games portably, the richer OLED panel and sound upgrades makes the latest model easily worth the price hike. But if your Switch mostly sits in its dock connected to a television, you won‘t benefit much from the OLED screen. Ultimately, the V2 still plays all the same games the OLED does while docked.
For handheld gaming, the Switch OLED Model offers a big step up. For TV gaming, the V2 remains a solid choice. Choose based on how you play!
