Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1 in contrast: specs, value, battery, and extra

The Switch 2 is right here — properly, virtually. Nintendo took the wraps off its new console throughout its newest Direct occasion, offering us with a better have a look at the $449.99 console forward of its launch on June fifth.

In some ways, the sequel is a generational leap from the unique console / handheld hybrid that rocked the gaming world over eight years in the past. Nintendo is constructing upon the profitable basis it laid with the unique Switch by providing a bigger display screen, extra inside storage, and magnetic Joy-Con controllers that may function like mice. It’s additionally introducing some new options, like GameChat, which lets gamers make voice calls, display screen share, and video chat.

Below, we’re taking a better have a look at the on-paper variations between the Switch 2 and its numerous predecessors — particularly, the unique Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch OLED. We’ve even thrown within the handheld-only Nintendo Switch Lite, only for good measure.

The Switch 2 will retail for $449.99 at launch, or you should purchase it bundled with Mario Kart World — a Switch 2 unique — for $499.99 by way of the autumn 2025 or whereas provides final. The normal Switch, in the meantime, nonetheless retails for $299.99 whereas the newer OLED version prices $349.99. Both fashions can usually be discovered on sale, as can the cheaper Nintendo Switch Lite, however the OLED variant hardly ever dips under $299.99.

Fortunately, just like the Switch 2, Nintendo additionally continues to often promote discounted bundles containing the Switch OLED, a three-month subscription to Nintendo Switch Online, and choose video games. The newest, which launched lower than a month in the past for MAR10 Day, incorporates a digital copy of Super Mario Bros. Wonder for $349.99.

With a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display screen, the Switch 2’s show is noticeably bigger than that of prior Switch fashions. The unique Switch panel is available in at 6.2 inches whereas the show on the Switch OLED stretches the display screen to a good seven inches (each help 1,280 x 720 decision in handheld mode or 1080p when docked). The Switch Lite is the smallest of the bunch with a 5.5-inch 720p show and no docking possibility.

Performance and battery life

The Switch 2’s predecessors use a customized model of Nvidia’s Tegra X1 chipset, which makes use of an octacore Arm CPU and a Maxwell-based Nvidia GPU that’s in league with the 900-series graphics playing cards that dominated the period. The energy handily eclipsed smartphones of the time, however lagged properly behind the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One that launched years prior. Still, that hasn’t stopped builders from producing critically acclaimed video games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and wonderful ports of a number of standard titles throughout the final a number of years.

Nintendo has but to reveal many technical particulars concerning the Switch 2’s new Nvidia chipset, solely stating that it affords “considerably improved CPU and GPU efficiency” in comparison with the unique Switch. We additionally know that the processor will enable for 4K gameplay at as much as 60 frames per second in docked mode or 1080p at as much as 120fps (with a variable refresh price) in handheld mode.

As for battery life, you possibly can eke out between 4.5 and 9 hours on the Switch and Switch OLED. Nintendo says the Switch 2 can final between 2.5 and 6.5 hours, relying on utilization, and takes roughly three hours to cost, identical to earlier fashions.

Joy-Cons and different controllers

The Switch 2 will characteristic longer, magnetic Joy-Con slots for a safer connection. Instead of sliding the controllers right into a side-mounted rail, you as a substitute push them right into a recessed slot. In addition, every Joy-Con 2 will characteristic “extra sturdy” analog sticks and performance like a mouse in sure situations, permitting you to manage performance in choose video games by merely sliding them throughout a flat floor.

The Joy-Cons that got here with the unique Switch had been obtainable in a number of colours. The Switch 2 controllers, in the meantime, are available a black colorway with pink and blue accents surrounding the analog sticks. Matching colours drape everything of the attachment level the place the shoulder buttons are positioned, which is seen when utilizing a Joy-Con as a single controller. The inside the attachment space additionally matches the Joy-Cons’ respective colours, and the precise Joy-Con now encompasses a “C” button for accessing numerous GameChat options.

If you discover Joy-Cons too cramped, relaxation assured that Nintendo additionally launched a brand new Pro Controller throughout its latest Direct occasion. Along with customizable rear buttons and a 3.5mm audio jack, it sports activities the aforementioned “C” button discovered on the Joy-Con 2, which launches a chat menu when pressed. Like Nintendo’s unique pro-grade mannequin, it additionally options larger buttons and triggers than the Joy-Cons, however will value $79.99 (up from $69.99).

In phrases of storage, the Switch 2 affords 256GB of inside area, which is eight occasions the storage capability of the unique Switch and 4 occasions that of the Switch OLED. You can add as much as 2TB of further storage utilizing microSD Express playing cards, too, which supply quicker learn and write speeds than your normal microSD card.

Other notable {hardware} tweaks embody an extra USB-C port on the highest of the console and a built-in microphone with noise filtering, so you possibly can chat with buddies utilizing Nintendo’s new Discord-like GameChat characteristic. GameChat additionally enables you to display screen share and make video calls through the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 Camera. Nintendo has added a redesigned, U-shaped adjustable kickstand to the Switch 2 as properly, which spans the width of the show.

As for the Nintendo Switch 2 dock, it comes with a built-in ethernet port identical to the Switch OLED dock, whereas the unique dock requires an optionally available adapter. The new dock additionally encompasses a pair of USB-C ports, versus only one, whereas retaining an HDMI port.

The unique Switch had a couple of dozen titles obtainable at launch, with dozens extra launched by the tip of 2017. As of writing, Nintendo has introduced quite a few Switch 2 launch titles, together with first-party video games like Mario Kart World and third-party titles akin to Split Fiction and Cyberpunk 2077. Nintendo additionally introduced that choose GameDice video games are coming to Nintendo Switch Online and that a number of enhanced “Switch 2 Edition” video games might be obtainable at launch, most notably The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom.

You may have a lot extra to play on the Switch 2, nevertheless, because it’s backward appropriate with most Switch 1 video games. That mentioned, Nintendo says some older titles might have some in-game compatibility points, together with Doom: Eternal, Rocket League, NBA 2K25, and Warframe. You additionally received’t be capable to make use of Nintendo’s artistic VR package (sorry, Labo followers).

The normal Switch and Switch OLED are almost similar on paper, however the Switch 2 has many notable upgrades. You can see how all three evaluate, together with the Switch Lite, within the chart under.