Nintendo Switch OLED Model: A Refreshing Upgrade for the Hybrid Gaming Console

The Nintendo Switch has been a phenomenal success since its release in 2017, offering a unique gaming experience that seamlessly blends home console and portable handheld play. Now, with the introduction of the Nintendo Switch OLED model, Nintendo aims to further enhance this experience by incorporating an impressive new display technology.

Design and Display

At first glance, the Nintendo Switch OLED model appears identical to its predecessor. The sleek design and durable construction remain unchanged, but beneath the surface lies a significant upgrade: a stunning 7-inch OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) display. This new screen boasts improved brightness, contrast, and color accuracy compared to the original Switch’s LCD panel.

The OLED display is particularly noticeable in its ability to produce deeper blacks and more vivid colors, making for an immersive gaming experience. Nintendo has also tweaked the kickstand to provide a more stable viewing angle, ensuring that you can enjoy your games without worrying about the screen wobbling.

Performance

Under the hood, the Nintendo Switch OLED model remains largely unchanged. The console still relies on NVIDIA’s Tegra X1 processor, 4GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage. This means that performance-wise, the OLED model is essentially identical to its predecessors.

However, with the improved display, you’ll notice a slight increase in power consumption, which may result in slightly shorter battery life (around 4-6 hours) compared to the original Switch. Nintendo has also optimized the console’s software to take advantage of the OLED display, so expect some minor performance tweaks and improvements.

Battery Life

As mentioned earlier, the Nintendo Switch OLED model’s battery life is around 4-6 hours, which is slightly shorter than its predecessor’s 6-9 hours. This reduction in battery life is largely due to the increased power consumption of the OLED display.

However, this shouldn’t be a major concern for most users, as you can easily recharge the console using the USB-C port or a dock while playing games at home. The Switch’s hybrid design allows you to seamlessly transition between handheld and TV modes, ensuring that you can play your favorite games without worrying about battery life.

Storage and Accessories

The Nintendo Switch OLED model retains its predecessor’s storage capacity of 32GB, but users can expand their storage using microSD cards up to 2TB in size. This is particularly useful for storing large game files or saving data locally.

In terms of accessories, the OLED model supports all existing peripherals, including the Joy-Con controllers, Nintendo Labo kits, and the Switch Pro Controller.

Conclusion

The Nintendo Switch OLED model offers a refreshing upgrade to the original console, thanks to its stunning 7-inch OLED display. While performance-wise it remains largely unchanged, the improved screen provides an immersive gaming experience that’s hard to match.

With its competitive pricing starting at $360 (base model) and going up to $400 (with extra storage), the Nintendo Switch OLED model is a solid choice for existing Switch owners looking to upgrade or newcomers eager to join the hybrid gaming revolution.

Technical Specifications:

  • Processor: NVIDIA Tegra X1
  • RAM: 4GB
  • Storage: 32GB internal, expandable via microSD cards up to 2TB
  • Display: 7-inch OLED display with 1280 x 720 pixels resolution
  • Battery Life: Around 4-6 hours
  • Connectivity: Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.1
  • Camera: Front-facing 2-megapixel camera
  • Dimensions: 102mm x 239mm x 13.9mm (without Joy-Con controllers)