Nintendo Unveils Nintendo Switch (OLED Model)

By: Bryce L. Jackson

Nintendo has finally revealed the mid-cycle upgrade to the Nintendo Switch — The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model). Yes, that’s what they went with.

The new model comes in white or in the original Switch colors with the neon red/blue Joy-Cons, and has a 7” OLED screen which is a slight increase to the screen size of the original Switch screen of 6.2”. Other improvements to the Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) are improved base storage of 64 GB, a wider, more stable kickstand that has different standing levels, improved undocked audio and video capabilities, and the integration of an Ethernet port to the Switch (OLED Model)’s dock.

That’s it.

The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is lacking an improved battery (it still plays for 4.5-9 hours as listed by Nintendo), and is still capped at 720p screen quality in Handheld Mode. On top of that, there are no signs of reliability improvements to the Joy-Cons.

While the OLED Model does sport an integrated Ethernet port (a feature users have been clamoring for), the addition is a bit of a double edge sword. To do so, the OLED Model loses one of the two current USB ports to fit the Ethernet port into the dock’s design. On a positive note, current Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons and games are compatible with the new OLED Model, however, Nintendo does say that the new model may have issues fitting in Nintendo LABO products.

The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) is priced at $349.99, joining the Nintendo Switch ($299.99) and the Nintendo Switch Lite ($199.99). The Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) will go on sale October 8th, 2021.