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The Ultimate Guide to the Nintendo Switch Series

Update time: May 29, 2025
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With the launch of the Nintendo Switch, Nintendo redefined the gaming experience with its hybrid design. The Switch allows users to play at home or on the go, combining console-quality gaming with the convenience of handheld play.  In this post, The Ultimate Guide to the Nintendo Switch Series, we’ll break down everything you need to know about the Nintendo Switch Series, to help you make the best buying decision!

★ What is the Nintendo Switch Series?

- The Nintendo Switch Series is a family of gaming consoles developed by Nintendo that includes the original Nintendo Switch, the Nintendo Switch Lite, the Nintendo Switch OLED, and potential future releases like the Nintendo Switch 2.

- The main defining feature of the Switch is its hybrid nature, allowing players to switch between home console gaming and handheld portable gaming. The console features detachable controllers called Joy-Cons, enabling multiplayer gameplay in both handheld and docked modes.

- The Nintendo Switch was first released in March 2017 and quickly became a huge success thanks to its flexibility and the breadth of its game library, which includes iconic franchises such as The Legend of Zelda, Super Mario, and Animal Crossing.

★ Types of Nintendo Switch Consoles

There are currently three main models within the Nintendo Switch family: the originalNintendo Switch, theNintendo Switch Lite, and theNintendo Switch OLED, and alsoNintendo Switch 2.

★ Details of every Nintendo Switch Consoles:

Feature

Nintendo Switch (Original)

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch 2 (Speculated)

Release Date

March 2017

September 2019

October 2021

TBD (speculated)

Hybrid Design

Yes (TV and handheld mode)

No (handheld only)

Yes (TV and handheld mode)

Yes (expected)

Display

6.2-inch touchscreen, 720p handheld

5.5-inch touchscreen, 720p handheld

7-inch OLED screen, 720p handheld, 1080p TV

Higher resolution, possibly OLED or Mini-LED (speculated)

Detachable Joy-Cons

Yes

No (integrated)

Yes

Yes (likely upgraded)

Battery Life

4.5 to 9 hours

3 to 7 hours

Longer than original, but specific hours not stated

Expected improvement (longer life)

Multiplayer Support

Local and online multiplayer

No local multiplayer unless extra Joy-Cons bought

Local and online multiplayer

Expected enhanced online and local multiplayer features

TV Mode

Yes

No

Yes

Yes (likely 4K support, speculated)

Storage

32GB (expandable via microSD)

Not applicable (handheld only)

64GB (expandable via microSD)

Expected more storage options

Audio

Standard

Standard

Improved for handheld play

Improved (likely, based on current trends)

Stand (Tabletop Mode)

No

No

Adjustable stand for better tabletop play

Expected improvement (more ergonomic)

LAN Port

No

No

Yes (in the dock for more stable online play)

Expected improvements (possible new dock features)

Available Colors

Neon Red/Blue, Gray, custom editions

Yellow, Turquoise, Gray, Coral

Neon Red/Blue, White

Likely new colors or variations, based on existing trends

Who is it For?

Gamers who want flexibility between handheld and TV gaming, families, on-the-go gamers

Gamers who only want handheld mode, children, budget-conscious buyers

Gamers who want a premium handheld experience with enhanced display, online multiplayer

Gamers who want the best hardware and performance, Nintendo loyalists

Pros

Hybrid functionality, large library of games, detachable Joy-Cons, value for money

Affordable, portable, good gaming experience for handheld players

OLED screen, improved handheld display, more storage, better audio

Improved graphics, better performance, 4K TV mode, enhanced multiplayer

Cons

Shorter battery life, Joy-Con drift, display quality in handheld mode

No TV mode, no detachable Joy-Cons, smaller screen

No 4K support, higher price, no performance upgrade

Higher price, potential transition issues with hardware

★ Specs Comparison of the Nintendo Switch Series:

Feature

Nintendo Switch (Original)

Nintendo Switch Lite

Nintendo Switch OLED

Nintendo Switch 2

Screen Size

6.2 inches

5.5 inches

7.0 inches

7.5 inches

Display Type

LCD

LCD

OLED

OLED

Resolution

1280x720 (handheld)

1280x720 (handheld)

1280x720 (handheld), 1920x1080 (TV mode)

2560x1440 (handheld), 4K (TV mode)

Storage

32GB (expandable)

32GB (expandable)

64GB (expandable)

128GB (expandable)

Battery Life

4.5-9 hours

3-7 hours

4.5-9 hours

6-12 hours

Weight

0.88 lbs (398g)

0.61 lbs (275g)

0.93 lbs (420g)

1.0 lbs (450g)

Joy-Con Detachability

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Docking Ability

Yes

No

Yes

Yes

Special Features

Versatile hybrid design

Budget-friendly, compact

Enhanced screen quality

4K gaming, new processing power, improved battery life, upgraded Joy-Cons, backward compatibility

★ Notes on the Nintendo Switch 2:

-Display: The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to feature a higher-resolution screen for handheld use (2560x1440) and support 4K resolution when docked.

-Battery: The Switch 2 will offer a significantly improved battery life with efficient processing and power management.

-Joy-Cons: There may be refinements or new features with the Joy-Cons, such as improved HD Rumble and possibly new controllers or motion features.

-Docking: Expect a new, possibly more powerful dock to support 4K resolution on compatible displays.

-Backward Compatibility: The Switch 2 is expected to be backward compatible with games from the original Switch.

★ Conclusion: 

Which Nintendo Switch is Right for You? Each Nintendo Switch model caters to a different type of gamer. Thanks for reading, we hope this post helps you get the best Nintendo Switch!