Nintendo Switch OLED Model Review

I remember the first time I saw the Nintendo Switch OLED Model in action. My cousin had just unwrapped one, and the difference was immediately noticeable. Playing Mario Kart 8 Deluxe side-by-side with his old Switch, the colors on the OLED just popped.

It wasn’t just the screen that caught my eye. He kept raving about the improved kickstand and the better audio. Since then, I’ve heard countless positive remarks from friends who upgraded their consoles. This product truly seems to impress.

After hearing so much and seeing it myself, I decided to do a deep dive into what makes this particular product stand out. This Nintendo Switch OLED Model Review will cover everything you need to know before you consider a purchase.

Product Specs

* Display: 7.0-inch (17.78 cm) OLED touch screen
* Resolution: 1280×720 (handheld), 1920×1080 (TV mode)
* CPU/GPU: NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor
* Storage: 64 GB internal (expandable via microSDXC)
* Wireless: Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant), Bluetooth 4.1
* Video Output: Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode, 720p in handheld/tabletop mode
* Audio Output: Stereo speakers, 3.5mm headphone jack
* USB Ports: USB-C for charging/docking, USB 2.0 x2 on dock, USB 3.0 x1 on dock
* Battery Life: Approximately 4.5 – 9 hours (varies by game)
* Dimensions: 4.0 inches (10.16 cm) high, 9.5 inches (24.13 cm) long, 0.55 inches (1.4 cm) deep (with Joy-Con attached)
* Weight: Approximately 0.71 lbs (322 g) (with Joy-Con attached); 0.93 lbs (422 g) (with Joy-Con and dock)

This Product is Best For

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model is ideal for gamers who primarily play in handheld or tabletop mode. The stunning display truly shines when held close, making a significant difference to the visual quality of your favorite titles. It’s also perfect for those who enjoy portable gaming with friends.

This console is also a great upgrade for existing Switch owners who crave a more premium experience. If you’ve been considering a new console, or if your current Switch is showing its age, this model offers a noticeable improvement in key areas without changing the core gameplay.

Features Overview/Summary

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model elevates the original design with several key enhancements. The most prominent feature is its larger, more vibrant OLED screen, which delivers deeper blacks and richer colors, making games look incredibly vivid.

Beyond the display, it boasts improved audio from integrated speakers and a much sturdier, wider adjustable kickstand. The new dock also includes a wired LAN port, offering a more stable online gaming experience for those who prefer to play connected.

Feature Explanations

The OLED Display

The 7-inch (17.78 cm) OLED screen is the star of this console. Unlike traditional LCD screens, each pixel on an OLED display emits its own light. This means individual pixels can be turned off completely, resulting in true blacks and incredible contrast.

Colors appear more vibrant and lifelike, adding depth and immersion to every game. Whether you’re exploring Hyrule or racing through Rainbow Road, the visual quality is a significant upgrade, especially in handheld mode. This is a crucial feature for any potential purchase.

Enhanced Audio

Nintendo didn’t just stop at the visuals. The integrated stereo speakers have been redesigned to offer clearer, more robust sound. You’ll notice a richer audio experience, enhancing immersion without the need for headphones.

This improvement is particularly welcome when playing in handheld or tabletop mode. The enhanced audio quality adds another layer to your gaming, making explosions more impactful and soundtracks more atmospheric.

Sturdier Kickstand

One of the most praised quality-of-life improvements is the new wide, adjustable kickstand. The original Switch had a flimsy, narrow kickstand that often felt unstable. This new design spans the entire width of the console.

It’s far more stable and allows for a wider range of viewing angles. This makes tabletop gaming much more enjoyable, whether you’re playing solo on a flight or sharing the screen with friends at a café. This robust product design is a definite plus.

Wired LAN Port on the Dock

For players who prefer a stable internet connection, the new dock includes a built-in wired LAN port. This means you can connect directly to your router with an Ethernet cable, eliminating potential Wi-Fi drops and latency issues.

This feature is a huge benefit for competitive online games or for ensuring smooth downloads. It’s a small but significant upgrade that enhances the overall online gaming experience for the Nintendo Switch OLED Model.

Increased Internal Storage

The OLED Model comes with 64 GB of internal storage, double that of the original Switch. While 64 GB might still feel limited for avid digital game collectors, it provides a bit more breathing room for game installations and updates.

Of course, you can still expand the storage significantly with a microSDXC card, which is highly recommended for anyone planning to download many games. This added base storage is a welcome improvement for the product.

Pros

* Stunning OLED Display: The 7-inch (17.78 cm) screen offers vibrant colors, deep blacks, and excellent contrast, dramatically improving the visual quality in handheld and tabletop modes.
* Improved Audio: Enhanced integrated speakers provide clearer, louder, and more immersive sound, making gaming more enjoyable without headphones.
* Robust Kickstand: The wide, adjustable kickstand offers superior stability and flexibility for tabletop gaming, a major upgrade over the original model.
* Wired LAN Port: The included dock now features an Ethernet port, providing a more stable and reliable internet connection for online play and downloads.
* Increased Internal Storage: Double the storage at 64 GB provides more space for games and updates right out of the box, though expandable with microSD.
* Premium Build Quality: The console feels more solid and premium in hand, with a slightly improved finish.
* Familiarity: It retains all the beloved features of the original Switch, including detachable Joy-Cons and versatile play modes.
* Excellent Game Library: Access to the vast and continuously growing library of Nintendo Switch games, from first-party exclusives to popular indie titles.
* Portability: Maintains the core portability that makes the Switch so unique, allowing seamless transition between TV and handheld play.
* Bright Outdoors Play: The OLED screen performs better in brighter environments compared to the LCD, offering better visibility when playing outside.

Cons

* Same Performance: The Nintendo Switch OLED Model does not offer any performance upgrades in terms of CPU or GPU. Games will run at the same frame rates and resolutions as on the original Switch.
Mitigation: While performance isn’t boosted, the visual improvements from the OLED screen often make games feel* better. The existing library is already optimized for the current hardware, so you’re not missing out on new performance.
* No 4K Output: Despite the premium display, the console still outputs a maximum of 1080p in TV mode, with no 4K support. This might disappoint those with high-resolution televisions.
Mitigation*: The Switch’s strength lies in its unique hybrid nature and game library, not raw graphical power. Most games are designed for 1080p, and the visual quality on the OLED screen itself is excellent for handheld play.
* Joy-Con Drift Potential: The Joy-Cons included with the OLED Model are the same as previous iterations, meaning they are still susceptible to the “Joy-Con drift” issue over time.
Mitigation*: Nintendo offers repair services for Joy-Con drift, and third-party replacement parts or alternative controllers are available. Regular cleaning can also sometimes help prevent issues.
* Not a “Pro” Model: Some users hoped for a more powerful “Switch Pro” with performance upgrades. The OLED is primarily a screen and quality-of-life update, not a generational leap.
Mitigation*: The focus on screen quality makes this product perfect for its target audience: those prioritizing visual fidelity in handheld mode. It’s an excellent iteration of the existing hardware, not a complete overhaul.

Comparison with Similar Products

When considering the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, it’s helpful to compare it to its siblings: the original Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite. Each offers a distinct experience.

The original Nintendo Switch is the standard hybrid console. It features a 6.2-inch (15.75 cm) LCD screen, a detachable Joy-Con design, and the ability to play in TV, tabletop, or handheld modes. It’s a versatile product, but its screen and kickstand are less premium than the OLED version. If you’re looking for a cheaper entry point into the Switch ecosystem and don’t mind the LCD screen, it’s still a solid choice.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is purely a handheld device. It has a smaller 5.5-inch (13.97 cm) LCD screen and integrated, non-detachable Joy-Cons. It cannot connect to a TV, making it less versatile. Its key advantages are its lower price and slightly more compact form factor, making it an excellent purchase for dedicated portable gamers on a budget. However, it lacks the flexibility and premium features of the OLED Model.

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model sits at the top of the line. It offers the best display, improved audio, a superior kickstand, and a wired LAN port, all while retaining the full hybrid functionality of the original. If you value visual fidelity in handheld mode, a stable tabletop experience, and a robust online connection, the OLED is the premium choice. The price reflects these enhanced features and the overall quality of the product.

User Comments

Overall, the feedback for the Nintendo Switch OLED Model has been overwhelmingly positive, particularly regarding the display and the improved build quality. Many users feel it justifies the slightly higher price point, especially for those who spend a lot of time gaming on the go.

Here are a few specific comments from users who made the purchase:

“I bought this Nintendo Switch OLED Model after my old Switch started having battery issues. The screen is an absolute game-changer. I didn’t think it would make such a difference, but playing Metroid Dread on this display is just incredible. The colors are so vibrant, and the blacks are truly black. It feels like a whole new product.”

“The kickstand! Finally, a kickstand that actually works and doesn’t feel like it’s going to snap off. I use tabletop mode a lot when traveling, and this new design is so much more stable. Plus, the audio is noticeably better. Definitely worth the upgrade for the quality improvements.”

“I was hesitant to buy another Switch, but the OLED screen really sold me. It makes all my games look fantastic. I mainly play handheld, so for me, it’s the perfect console. The added storage is a small but welcome bonus too. It’s a great product.”

“As someone who plays a lot of online games, the wired LAN port in the dock is a huge deal. No more worrying about Wi-Fi drops during a crucial Splatoon 3 match. It’s a small detail, but it significantly improves my online experience with this Nintendo Switch OLED Model.”

“My only minor complaint is that I wish it had better battery life, or at least a noticeable improvement. It’s good, but not revolutionary. However, the screen quality more than makes up for it. This review is overwhelmingly positive because the visuals are just stunning.”

“I purchased this from amazon, and it arrived quickly. The packaging was great. I was worried it wouldn’t be much of an upgrade, but the moment I turned it on, I knew I made the right choice. Every game looks amazing, and the system feels really solid. Highly recommend this product.”

Final Verdict

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model isn’t a revolutionary leap in terms of raw power, but it is a significant refinement of an already beloved console. It addresses many of the minor frustrations of the original while introducing a truly breathtaking display. This product truly stands out.

If you spend a lot of time playing in handheld or tabletop mode, the vibrant OLED screen alone makes this a highly recommended purchase. The improved audio, sturdier kickstand, and wired LAN port are fantastic quality-of-life enhancements that elevate the overall experience.

For those considering their first Nintendo Switch, or looking for a substantial upgrade from an older model, the OLED Model offers the most premium experience available. It’s an excellent investment that will make your favorite Switch games look and sound better than ever. We hope this Nintendo Switch OLED Model Review has been helpful.