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After the Nintendo Switch launched back in 2017 it provided a completely fresh take on handheld gaming. It blurred the lines between portable gaming and heftier consoles. Thus allowing players to seamlessly ‘switch’ from a full TV display to handheld mode just by removing it from a dock. Now, Nintendo has pushed the Switch even further, and there’s now an upgraded OLED model available. But what exactly is this new upgrade? Let’s find out!
Crystal Clear
The first, and by far the most noticeable improvement on the OLED model is the screen. The original switch was kitted out with a 6.2-inch LCD screen. However, as the newer model’s name would suggest, it has done away with the LCD and replaced it with a shiny new OLED screen. This takes the Switch’s display to a whole new level, improving contrast and colour quality which help produce a crisper image. Thanks to the screen’s new tech the display is nearly an inch larger coming in at 7 inches as the bezel has been reduced.
While the screen has gotten bigger the device itself has remained exactly the same size. This change elevates gameplay that much further, and really shows off the beauty in titles such as Breath of the Wild or Legends: Arceus. All this new tech crammed into the OLED model does add a little weight to the console, coming in about 20g heavier. This really isn’t much, but it adds a nice heft to it, making it feel more premium while keeping it user friendly. Playing handheld now feels more comfortable as the Switch feels nicer to hold than its original. During long stints, this added weight isn’t a problem and I’ve been able to play for long periods without needing a break.
Scaled Up And Scaled Back
The screen isn’t the only thing to have got an upgrade, of course. While the body of the OLED model looks, well, like a Switch. There are a few new tweaks that give it a more luxurious feel. The first, and most welcome, is the kickstand. Those of you who had the original Switch will remember the flimsy kickstand that barely supported the console. The new model sports an extended kickstand running across the width of the console. This doesn’t just provide more stable support when playing in this format, but there is now a range of angles to display your Switch. The stand is also slightly textured giving the console a nice grippier feel when playing handheld. It’s also more resistant to finger marks, so you won’t leave prints during longer gaming sessions.
Along with the kickstand, the OLED Switch’s storage has been bulked up too. Where the original Switch had 32GB of built-in storage, the new model boasts a more substantial 64GB. This is still far from perfect when it comes to storage. However, it is certainly a step in the right direction for the Switch family. The dock has also been given a makeover too, now featuring smoother edges and a funkier looking back panel that pulls away. This is a small change that you won’t really see most of the time, but it’s nice to know that every element of the console has been considered.
Signed, Sealed, Delivered
While many things have been scaled up with the release of the new Switch, one thing has been scaled back: the packaging. The OLED Switch comes in a much smaller, more compact box, wasting far less cardboard than its bulkier predecessor. This may seem minor in the grand scheme of things, but it is nice to see less wastage from packaging. The OLED Switch itself has also had design areas made sleeker. The volume and power buttons have been slimmed down slightly and blend in nicely to the top of the console. The speakers have also been repositioned, now hiding discretely just beneath the kickstand. While these are minor things, they all come together making the OLED Switch play so much better.
End Credits
The OLED Switch is a significant improvement to its predecessor. Games really pop thanks to the new screen! The new kickstand makes gaming much easier when you’re out and about. If you play mostly via the dock, then the changes that have been made might not really impact your experience. However, if you play mostly in handheld mode, getting the OLED Switch will constitute a huge jump up in the quality of your gaming. With the exciting roster of games coming this year, Nintendo fans will want to get their hands on one of these to experience their games at their best.