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Nintendo Switch — 2017
Nintendo

Nintendo Switch

2017

78
/ 100
From $299
VS
Nintendo Switch OLED wins by 8
Nintendo Switch OLED — 2021
Nintendo

Nintendo Switch OLED

2021

86
/ 100
From $349
Specdex verdict

Nintendo Switch OLED takes it — here’s why.

In our weighted Specdex score, Nintendo Switch lands at 78 and Nintendo Switch OLED at 86. That puts Nintendo Switch OLED ahead by 8 points — a decisive margin driven mostly by its strengths in the categories below.

Pick Nintendo Switch if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility

Pick Nintendo Switch OLED if…

  • ✓Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • ✓Store ecosystem
  • ✓Cross-gen compatibility
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Winner by scenario

Derived from the sub-score breakdown · not a separate test

Performance

Nintendo Switch OLED

Compared on the performance sub-score

Nintendo Switch OLED leads on performance (86 vs 78).

Games

Nintendo Switch OLED

Compared on the games sub-score

Nintendo Switch OLED leads on games (84 vs 76).

Features

Nintendo Switch OLED

Compared on the features sub-score

Nintendo Switch OLED leads on features (84 vs 76).

Value for money

Tie

Specdex score per dollar at MSRP

Effectively tied — similar score-per-dollar at MSRP.

Nintendo Switch 78
vs
86 Nintendo Switch OLED

Score breakdown

Nintendo Switch
78
performance 78
games 76
features 76
value 82
Nintendo Switch OLED
86
performance 86
games 84
features 84
value 82

Specs side-by-side

Nintendo Switch versus Nintendo Switch OLED — full spec comparison
Spec Nintendo Switch Nintendo Switch OLED
Release year
2017
2021

Nintendo Switch

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

Nintendo Switch OLED

Pros
  • +Exclusive titles (brand-dependent)
  • +Store ecosystem
  • +Cross-gen compatibility
Cons
  • −Storage expansion pricey
  • −Dashboard UX ages
  • −Subscription required for online

FAQ: Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED

Which is better, Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED? +

Nintendo Switch OLED scores 86 on our weighted rubric — ahead by 8. Your best pick depends on the sub-scores above.

Is Nintendo Switch worth the price? +

At $299, Nintendo Switch delivers a Specdex score of 78 — strongest in value.

Is Nintendo Switch OLED worth the price? +

At $349, Nintendo Switch OLED delivers a Specdex score of 86 — strongest in performance.

Does Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED last longer? +

Based on our long-term update and support ratings, both ship with multi-year support. Battery and reliability scores are visible in the breakdown above.

Which is better for performance, Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED? +

Nintendo Switch OLED — leads on performance (86 vs 78). Compared on the performance sub-score.

Which is better for games, Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED? +

Nintendo Switch OLED — leads on games (84 vs 76). Compared on the games sub-score.