When the Nintendo Switch – OLED model was presented to the world, few gamers were excited about the anecdotal innovations that the machine seemed to embody. But if the power hasn’t moved one iota, several improvements have been made. And as we’ll see in this test, the most striking improvements are not necessarily those we expected. Anyway, it’s time to discover this new Switch.
Before starting, let’s specify that this test was made on a copy sent by Nintendo. This is the console as you will be able to buy it in stores (or on the Internet). We were finally able to judge different aspects such as the autonomy, the heating or the general solidity of the machine.
Nintendo Switch OLED Unboxing
Once out of its packaging, the Nintendo Switch OLED does not surprise us. We find its traditional accessories such as the cables (power, HDMI), the two straps, the Joy-Con with their support, the famous dock and of course the console itself with its beautiful OLED screen. Once the joysticks are clipped on each side of the screen, the machine is rather imposing when you take it in hand. It is also heavier than the previous models with a weight peaking at 320 grams against 297 grams for the “classic” Switch and 275 grams for the Lite version. Thus, after a session of several hours in its company, we could feel slight tingling in our hands. To compensate for this fatigue, the Japanese manufacturer has thought of everything!
Indeed, the Nintendo Switch OLED has a large adjustable stand that is much more stable and practical than the poor little tab of the 2017 version. Once placed on a table, the console is not likely to fall and the viewing angle can be adjusted according to individual preferences. Combined with the size of the screen (which we’ll talk about very soon), this support greatly favors single-player or local games with friends without the need to connect the console to a TV. The microSD card slot on the back of the console is also easier to access. However, this expensive stand does not seem to be extremely solid. So you have to be careful when handling it.
As for the power and volume buttons and the jack, they are located on the top edge of the Switch. The only drawback is that the volume up/down buttons are extremely close together. The lack of a clear separation between these two buttons can be misleading.
A great window on your games
The OLED screen is quite logically the big star of this model. With a diagonal measurement of 7 inches, the screen is ideal for displaying all of the Switch’s experiences. If we feared a degradation of visual quality on such a large surface, we have to admit that this is not the case. Colors are stunning on titles like Mario Kart 8 Deluxe, Super Mario Odyssey or Metroid Dread. On the other hand, more edgy titles like Bayonetta 2 take full advantage of the large screen, as the action is much more legible during epic battles. As for the contrasts, they are inevitably more pronounced.
Switching back to the Switch Lite screen after having tasted the Switch OLED is a real ordeal. Yes, the visual quality isn’t changed since this new model isn’t much more powerful, but the gain in terms of comfort is anything but negligible. Trying it is clearly adopting it. However, in daylight, reflections are omnipresent and can slightly mar the nomadic dimension so dear to Nintendo’s hybrid console. On the whole, the OLED screen is very qualitative and exceptionally highlights the games we were able to play during this test.
Surprises are where you least expect them
If Nintendo has logically decided to support its marketing campaign on the slab of its machine, other unsuspected elements draw our attention even more strongly. We noticed it when we first picked it up, but the integrated speakers are much more powerful. The sound is much more powerful so that pushing the volume to the maximum is not recommended unless you want to wake up the whole neighborhood. Once again, it’s the player’s immersion that is enhanced. Even in a noisy environment, the console will be heard without any problem.
The other good surprise concerns the ventilation of the machine. This aspect has also been optimized by the Japanese brand. On the 2017 model, it was not uncommon to hear the fans blowing intensely when starting a resource-intensive game. As for the OLED Switch, it is ultra quiet in all scenarios. Even better, if a slight heating can sometimes be felt on the back of the machine during long games, Nintendo has also made efforts in this area. In the end, the heat does not rise much and remains bearable for our hands.
The endurance and power of a true champion?
If you follow the video game news, you are probably aware that this Nintendo Switch OLED does not bring any improvements in terms of pure performance. The machine can therefore run the same games as the other models without any visual contribution. We’re stuck with a maximum definition of 720p in portable mode and Full HD (1080p) in docked mode. A real disappointment that could well slow down players especially with a price set at around $350. Only the internal storage has been increased from 32GB on previous iterations to 64GB. Unfortunately, this is still quite low to store many games. A passage through the “microSD card” seems necessary to avoid having to constantly erase the software installed.
Let’s move on to the autonomy provided by the 4310 mAh battery on board. If it is estimated between 4.5 and 9 hours by the manufacturer depending on the game used, it was important to test that a title very demanding in resources. So we launched Metroid Dread and our Switch OLED abdicated after 5.5 hours of time. Thus, the endurance is relatively correct and seems to be similar to that observed on the Switch released in 2019.
Who is the Nintendo Switch OLED for?
This is the big question that everyone is asking as the positioning of this version is so difficult to perceive. So, we would tend to recommend this purchase to two distinct categories. For example, a user with a big enough budget who still doesn’t own a Switch would be more likely to fall for this iteration. We would also tend to point it out to gamers who would have bought the hybrid console upon its launch in 2017 and would appreciate a more comfortable portable mode.
On the other hand, the Nintendo Switch Lite is still the best alternative in our opinion for younger users whose play time would be more reduced. Moreover, the OLED model is already quite imposing in our adult hands so we’ll let you imagine the difficulty in terms of grip for a child. So, to put it simply, the Nintendo Switch OLED is in our opinion more suitable for veteran (and quite wealthy) gamers who can’t resist the urge to start a game every day.
Nintendo Switch OLED Review
Yes, the Switch OLED’s performance is starting to pale in comparison to the competition… Nintendo’s console makes up for it all though thanks to its screen that is both spacious and comfortable for our eyes. Colors, blacks and contrasts also come out better on this screen. There are also clear improvements on the ventilation (with less heating) and on the audio part, which gains incredibly in power. The new large adjustable stand is also very appreciable. As for the autonomy, it remains very correct without reaching the top.
So, the Switch OLED is a great piece of entertainment. However, its high price, weak internal memory and stagnant performance are all negative points that cannot be ignored. So, we don’t recommend it to everyone, since it only brings some minor improvements in the end. It’s not an overhaul like a PS4 Pro compared to a PS4 or an Xbox One X compared to an Xbox One. The experience is still ultra satisfying though. The Nintendo Switch OLED is definitely the best Switch on the market right now… but getting it will come at a very steep price.
