Written by Edwin Francisco
Nintendo has suddenly announced a new Switch model called the Nintendo Switch OLED.
This was a surprise since there was no indication of them releasing one.
Although, it is notable that a lot of people wanted Nintendo to announce a Switch Pro during their E3 presentation last June.
The latest ad was just shown in Nintendo’s official social media sites.
It was also announced that it will be released on October 8, 2021.
We’ve heard about a possible new Nintendo Switch which a lot of us dubbed “Switch Pro” coming especially with the news of a new processor that is planned to be used on it, and we’ve heard that Nvidia is also stopping production of the Tegra X1.
The specs of the new Switch
| Display: | 7 inch OLED screen |
| Resolution: | 720p handheld/1080p docked |
| Storage: | 64gb |
| Chipset: | Custom Nvidia Tegra X1 |
| Battery Life: | Approximately 4.5 – 9 hours. |
| Connectivity: | USB-C, 3.5mm audio, microSD, wired LAN (docked) |
| Size: | 9.5 x 4 x 0.55 inches |
| Weight: | Approximately 0.93 pounds |
The new Nintendo Switch OLED is priced at $349.99 / £309.99 / AU$539.
This is now the third version of the Nintendo Switch family. That includes the original version of the Switch and the Switch Lite.
A lot of Nintendo fans, I myself included, who have been looking into new tech are disappointed because we have been waiting for the “Switch Pro.”
People have been waiting for a Nintendo Switch that can do 4k resolution.
One has to admit, that the Switch struggles with games today to keep up with 30 fps on some games.
Although Nintendo has been known to improve processor performance in the middle of a console’s generation, like the 3DS which they released the 3DSXL.
Based on the specs, it’s still using the Tegra X1.
It’s possible that Nintendo is taking advantage of the time to sell what they have on stock.
The Nintendo Switch sales has not gone down even with the release of the new PlayStation 5 and the Xbox Series X/S last November 2020.
A New Nintendo Switch is Coming This October
Image: Nintendo
It’s possible that Nintendo is not releasing the “Switch Pro” yet, but the OLED might be the last revision before a new console generation comes out.
One speculation is that because of the worldwide chip shortage, releasing a new model during this crisis would not be the beneficial move for anyone.
It may seem that the new “Switch Pro” will take some time before it will be released.
The Switch is currently one of the best selling consoles in history, second only to Nintendo’s own Wii.
The Nintendo Wii remains as the most successful console in history.
On the positive note, this is a good direction for Nintendo’s current generation.
The OLED screen is a nice touch, since it can produce better colors and contrast.
The OLED screen can be also viewed in different angles while the LED struggles a bit. And the larger screen is a nice touch. We all love larger screens.
The 64GB internal memory is a nice upgrade since the original only had 32GB, but with the games today, you’ll still have to buy a microSD.
Image: Nintendo
I think what stood out for me personally is that the dock now has a LAN port.
Because with the original switch, you have to buy a separate peripheral and attach it to a free USB port on the Switch dock.
So, this functionality is a welcome addition which I feel should have been added earlier.
One thing that is not shown in the specs is the new adjustable stand which is very prominent in the ad.
This is another welcome addition since the original stand was virtually useless.
Some people I know even lost the stand because it was flimsy and barely usable.
It was better to buy a separate stand for it.
The new Nintendo Switch OLED has a wide stand, which makes it more durable and reliable than the original stand.
Image: Nintendo
It is interesting that the dock has more ventilation than the original dock.
Does the larger Nintendo Switch OLED use more power than the original version?
Some have speculated that the new model might enhance some processor features when it’s docked even though it’s using the same Tegra X1 chip.
So, the new Switch is generally improved to have a better quality of life, but it is not the Switch Pro that people have been waiting for.
I know there are people who are planning to get the new Nintendo Switch OLED this October, but I do admit that they are disappointed that it’s not the “Switch Pro.”
But they are happy with the improvements made. Are you planning to get a Nintendo Switch OLED yourself?
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