The Nintendo Switch has been around since 2017 and has seen many revisions. The most notable is the Switch OLED, this is because of its vibrant screen. This iteration of the Nintendo Switch has received criticism because there are no increases in performance, which has made many debate if it’s a worthy upgrade. Gamers are patiently waiting for the next Nintendo console, despite the rumors, there has not been any concrete evidence of when it’s coming. Does this make the Switch OLED still worth buying in 2024?
Pros:
As stated in the name, the Switch OLED has an OLED screen that displays colors in a much brighter and accurate way. OLED is a technology that has been around for a while and is most common in devices like smartphones and TVs. What makes OLED special is that it has the ability to turn off individual pixels. An OLED screen’s ability to turn off individual pixels makes the blacks look much deeper and more realistic. More black images on the screen will also save battery since the panel does not have to display as many colors. Since it’s an OLED panel, looking at the screen from different angles is much more pleasant compared to a regular Switch. Playing cinematic games like Breath of the Wild and Pokemon Scarlet is so much more immersive because of the color accuracy of the OLED panel.
Another difference in the Switch OLED is the screen size of the panel. The regular Switch has a screen size of 6.2” while the Switch OLED has a 7”. On paper, this may not seem like much but it’s noticeable once you pick one up. The larger display makes playing in handheld mode much more enjoyable. If you find yourself in a situation where you’re huddling around a Switch OLED playing Super Smash Bros. Ultimate you’ll be glad to have that extra space and stunning viewing angles.
The build quality of the Switch OLED is fantastic compared to the original Switch. The Switch OLED has a much better metal feel to the device compared to the tacky plastic feel of the original. Also, the Screen on the OLED has a much more premium glass feeling compared to the cheaper plasticky feel of the regular Switch screen. Another improvement Nintendo made was in the stand of the Switch OLED. Rather than being a thin and flimsy flap to hold the console up, it’s now a full-on stand that spans across the whole back of the console. This makes the console feel way more sturdy and less likely to fall if it’s accidentally bumped.
Cons:
Now for the elephant in the room, performance. The Switch OLED has the same performance in games as the original Switch. There is no significant difference in FPS in any of the games so if you are looking for a framerate or resolution boost you will have to keep waiting. While Nintendo has in no way advertised this revision of the console to perform any better it was still disappointing to see the same performance, especially given the controversies in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet.
Just like handheld performance, docked mode with the Switch OLED is essentially identical to the regular Switch. However, there is a difference in the actual docks that come with each console. Nintendo changed the design to have smoother edges and replaced the rear USB port with an Ethernet port. While not substantial it’s not unwelcomed. If you’re a gamer who just wants to play in docked mode the Switch OLED is not the console for you. The improvements of the OLED only come in handheld mode.
Conclusion:
Overall the Switch OLED can still be worth it to some users even if they own an original Switch. For example, if you enjoy playing handheld and your original Switch has a worn-out battery the OLED makes perfect sense. For most people who have a functioning Switch, it might not make sense since the price of a new OLED is $350. However, if you are someone who wants to play on an OLED despite already owning a Switch you can pick up a used Switch OLED Tablet for under 200 bucks and reuse the joy cons that came with the original. As someone who’s done that within the last month, it was worth it. Now that I own a Switch OLED I almost exclusively play in handheld because I think the experience is that much better. Whether you buy one used or new, the OLED should be purchased for gamers who spend most of their time in handheld mode because after that it’s more or less just a regular Switch and you’re better off saving your money for the next generation console.