Short version: the Switch OLED we reviewed has a successor: the Nintendo Switch 2, released June 2025. It has a bigger 1080p screen, outputs 4K when docked, starts with 256GB and uses new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers. Buy the Switch 2 for new games and the best TV experience. The OLED still has the prettier screen and longer battery, so it’s a fine pick for handheld-only players and younger kids.
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The Switch OLED was the best version of the original Switch: a gorgeous 7-inch OLED screen in a console you can take anywhere. The Switch 2 is Nintendo’s real next generation, and it’s the one new games are built for. Here’s what changed, based on published specs (we didn’t test them hands-on).
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch OLED: what changed
| Spec | Switch OLED (2021) | Switch 2 (2025) |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 7-inch OLED, 720p | 7.9-inch LCD, 1080p, up to 120 fps in some games |
| TV output (docked) | 1080p | Up to 4K at 60 fps |
| Storage | 64GB, microSD | 256GB, microSD Express (old microSD cards don’t work) |
| Battery | 4,310 mAh, about 4.5 to 9 hours | 5,220 mAh, about 2 to 6.5 hours |
| Weight with controllers | 420 g | 542 g |
| Controllers | Joy-Con on rails | Joy-Con 2: magnetic, larger, mouse mode |
| USB-C ports | 1 | 2 |
Specs from Pocket Tactics’ Switch 2 vs OLED comparison, Yahoo Tech’s spec breakdown. Checked October 2026.
What matters in real use
- TV players win big. 4K docked output makes the Switch 2 look much better on a big screen.
- Handheld players: it’s a trade. The Switch 2 screen is bigger and sharper, but the OLED’s colors and battery life are better.
- Budget for storage cards. The Switch 2 needs microSD Express cards, so your old cards won’t carry over.
- Many Switch games carry over. The Switch 2 plays many original Switch games, so check Nintendo’s list for favorites.
Who should buy which
- Buy the Switch 2 for new releases and family game nights on the TV. The Switch 2 Mario Kart World bundle is an easy wrap-and-done gift.
- Keep or buy a Switch OLED for a younger kid who mostly plays handheld and doesn’t need the newest games.
- Retro fan? Pair either with our 8BitDo Arcade Stick pick.
Gift it to: the family that fights over the TV remote, the kid who’s been asking since June, or the grown-up who “just wants to try Mario Kart” (sure).
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