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    Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: Every Feature Compared

    At lengthy final, the brand new Nintendo Switch 2 console is right here, and it is in gamers’ fingers. While the Switch 2 does not look too completely different from the unique, the official specs inform a distinct story, as loads of enhancements are buried within the particulars. For occasion, the brand new system boasts “10x the graphics performance” in comparison with the unique Switch, in line with Nvidia, which constructed the customized processor powering the Switch 2. With the brand new console that can be purchased, it is value digging deeper to see what’s modified.The Switch 2 is priced at $450 alone or $500 in a bundle with Mario Kart World, the headliner of the Nintendo Switch 2 launch video games. If you did not decide up your preorder, chances are you’ll be out of luck as inventory ran out quickly after its launch, however here is all the data on the way you would possibly be capable to purchase the Switch 2 in shops.
    This story is a part of Nintendo Switch 2, a group of all issues associated to Nintendo’s next-gen recreation console.
    Note that we’re largely evaluating the Switch 2 to the unique Switch 1 launched in March 2017 and a few comparisons to the OLED mannequin, as a result of looping within the Switch Lite will get sophisticated.Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch OLED vs. Switch 1 Switch 2Switch OLEDSwitch 1Price $450$350$300Launch date June 5, 2025Oct. 8, 2021March 3, 2017CPU/GPU Custom NvidiaCustom TegraCustom TegraStorage 256GB64GB32GBBattery Size 5,220 mAh4,310 mAh4,310 mAhBattery Life 2-6.5 hours4.5-9 hours4.5-9 hoursVideo Output 4K (3,840 x 2,160)HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels)HD (1,920 x 1,080 pixels)Max framerate 120 fps60 fps60 fpsHDR, VRR help HDR / VRR as much as 120HzN/AN/ADimensions 166 x 272 x 13.9mm102 x 242 x 13.9mm102 x 239 x 13.9mmScreen dimension 7.9 inches7.0 inches6.2 inchesWeight 401 g320 g (0.93 lbs.)297 g (0.88 lbs.)USB and Ports 2x USB-C, 3.5mmUSB-C, 3.5mmUSB-C, 3.5mm DesignBroadly, the Switch 2 is a bigger model of its predecessor, with all the pieces wanting barely inflated versus the unique Nintendo Switch: greater footprint, greater display screen, greater Joy-Cons. Original Switch: The authentic Nintendo Switch, with Joy-Cons slotted into the aspect rails, is a bit over 9.4 inches huge, 4 inches tall, a bit over half an inch thick and weighs about 10.5 ounces (297 grams). The Joy-Cons slide into place from the highest of the unique Nintendo Switch sides, whereas a skinny wedge of plastic pops out of the again of the console to function a kickstand.The authentic Nintendo Switch additionally got here with a dock, which the console may slot into for recharging and outputting to a TV or massive show by way of HDMI port. Switch OLED: The Nintendo Switch OLED is ever-so-slightly wider to accommodate the bigger show, however the identical top with the intention to be suitable with Joy-Cons. Switch 2: The new Nintendo Switch 2 is greater in each means, however it has the identical general form and structure as the unique. The new Joy-Cons will certainly be held in place on the Nintendo Switch 2 magnetically, and connect with the console by way of pins. The Nintendo Switch 2 additionally sports activities a large U-shaped kickstand that spans nearly its complete rear width, which may be moved round to prop up the Switch 2 at quite a lot of angles. Nintendo says the Switch 2 has extra highly effective audio system, which we’re wanting ahead to testing.The Switch 2’s dock is basically comparable in perform although it has rounded edges and an inside fan to chill down the console throughout lengthy recreation classes. More importantly, it will possibly output video games in 4K to TVs, however just for choose video games. Winner: Switch 2 From the January reveal trailer, a Joy-Con comparability between the Switch 1 (left) and Switch 2 (proper). Screenshot by David Lumb/CNETJoy-ConsThe Joy-Cons had been a marvel after they arrived on the primary Nintendo Switch, and whereas they’re functionally comparable in its successor, the Nintendo Switch 2’s controllers have been upgraded.Original Switch: The Nintendo Switch Joy-Cons are easy however highly effective controllers that slide on and off the console by way of plastic rails, connecting and recharging by way of pins on the aspect. Detach, and so they turn out to be their very own micro-controllers, with little shoulder buttons as well. The Joy-Cons are unchanged on the Nintendo Switch OLED. A aspect view of the Switch 2 Joy-Con (high) in comparison with the Switch 1 Joy-Con (backside). Switch 2: The Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons are bigger to suit the Switch 2, and lock into the aspect of the console by way of highly effective magnets — there are small inward-facing buttons to the aspect of ZR and ZL to detach the controllers from the console. The bigger Joy-Cons have longer L and R exterior shoulder buttons, in addition to a lot wider SL and SR inside shoulder buttons, that are accessible when indifferent from the Nintendo Switch 2.  The Nintendo Switch 2 contains these coloured caps to placed on the top of Joy-Cons to make scrolling on a floor simpler when utilizing them in mouse mode. Nintendo/screenshot by CNETAnd sure, you should use the NIntendo Switch 2 Joy-Cons as mice by inserting their interior edges flat on a floor. During the Nintendo Direct, we noticed one getting used to regulate energetic motion video games just like the wheelchair basketball-simulating DragXDrive and technique video games like Civilization VII. They have a detachable cap that may be slipped on the within edge to make working the controller backwards and forwards on surfaces in mouse mode smoother.Winner: Switch 2. The Switch 2 seems similar to the rumors mentioned. NintendoShow dimensionOriginal Switch: The authentic Nintendo Switch has a 6.2-inch LCD display screen with 1,280×720-pixel decision, which was fairly spectacular at launch in 2017 however has been outclassed by newer handhelds with sharper shows. The Switch Lite, the extra moveable and reasonably priced model, has a 5.5-inch LCD display screen.Switch OLED: The Switch OLED’s show, in addition to having deeper darks and an general higher image than the bottom recreation, is bigger at 7 inches. To match into the general identical body as the unique Switch, the bezels on the Switch OLED have been drastically minimized.Switch 2: Unsurprisingly, the Nintendo Switch 2’s bigger dimension means a bigger show. The new console has a 7.9-inch 1080p LCD display screen that may stand up to 120Hz refresh fee in handheld mode, or as much as 4K when docked and outputting to a TV. Why no OLED show? Possibly to avoid wasting on prices… or maybe to offer Nintendo room to launch a Switch 2 OLED model down the road.Winner: Switch OLED. Watch this: More Details of the Nintendo Switch 2 Revealed: Supercut
    15:41 CPU/GPUOriginal Switch: The authentic Nintendo Switch runs on an Nvidia customized Tegra X1 processor cut up into 4 ARM Cortex A57 CPU cores, and in line with Hackaday, there are 4 additional A53 cores that are not used. The Switch Lite and Switch OLED have the identical {hardware}.Switch 2: Once once more, Nintendo hasn’t launched any official data on the Nintendo Switch 2’s specs, even after the Nintendo Direct reveal stream — and essentially the most the corporate reveals is that it has a “custom processor made by Nvidia” on the Switch 2’s official specs web page. Nvidia confirmed it additionally has a customized GPU, claiming that the brand new console has “10x the graphics performance” of the Switch 1, and the customized processor’s AI-powered options embrace Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS), face monitoring and background removing for video chat and real-time ray tracing.We do nonetheless have extra supposed particulars from earlier leaks. Months in the past on X (previously Twitter), leaker Zuby_Tech posted that the Switch 2’s CPU will likely be an eight-core Arm Cortex A78C. They additionally advised that the GPU will likely be an Nvidia T239 Ampere, aligning with years of comparable rumors reported on by Eurogamer and others in regards to the customized chip, which derives from Nvidia’s Tegra line of chips for smartphones and cellular gadgets.Winner: Likely Nintendo Switch 2, however we must always wait and see. NintendoRAM and storageOriginal Switch. The Switch has 4GB of LPDDR4 RAM and 32GB of onboard storage, expandable as much as 2TB by way of microSD playing cards within the slot beneath the kickstand. Switch OLED: The solely change is an improve to 64GB of onboard storage.Switch 2: Even after the reveal stream, Nintendo did not launch official RAM specs. Leaker Zuby_Tech posted on X again in September suggesting the Nintendo Switch 2 may have 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM and 256GB of onboard storage. That leak additionally advised the brand new console may have two inside followers, up from the only one within the authentic Nintendo Switch. Nintendo did verify that the brand new console may have 256GB of onboard storage, which may be expanded with particular microSD Express playing cards — sorry, your previous Switch-compatible microSD playing cards will not work on the Nintendo Switch 2.Winner: Switch 2.Battery life Original Switch: The authentic Nintendo Switch packs a 4,310-mAh battery, which supplies between 4.5 and 9 hours of battery life relying on display screen brightness and different components. The Switch OLED has the identical dimension battery and battery life as the unique.Switch 2: Though Nintendo did not launch particulars on the Nintendo Switch 2’s capability within the reveal stream, the corporate does checklist specs on its web site, displaying it packs a 5,220mAh battery. While that is notably bigger than the one in its predecessor, Nintendo estimates this may solely get gamers between an estimated 2 and 6.5 hours, relying on video games performed. Winner: Sounds like the unique Nintendo Switch and OLED Nintendo Switch have higher battery life. A screenshot from Nintendo’s Switch 2 introduction video displaying the console’s topside and the brand new second USB-C port subsequent to the 3.5mm headphone jack and, presumably, the cartridge slot to the appropriate. NintendoPorts Original Switch: The first Nintendo Switch sports activities a single USB-C port out the underside, a 3.5mm headphone jack on the highest and Wi-Fi 5 plus Bluetooth 4.1 connectivity. On the highest is a slot on the high for Switch recreation cartridges in addition to the microSD slot beneath the kickstand on the rear of the console. The Nintendo Switch OLED has the identical ports.Switch 2: The Nintendo Switch 2 retains the unique’s USB-C port on the underside and 3.5mm jack on the highest whereas including one other USB-C port on the topside. Now we all know what it is for: To join with equipment just like the Nintendo Switch Camera, a webcam-like digicam on a stand that permits you to do Nintendo’s model of FaceTiming whilst you play video games with your pals. Only the highest port can connect with cameras.The Switch 2 has Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth connectivity (the Joy-Con controllers join by way of Bluetooth 3.0, however it’s unclear if the console is suitable with extra superior Bluetooth codecs) in addition to a 3.5mm headphone jack. The dock has an ethernet port, giving the Switch 2 wired web connectivity when docked.As for cartridges, the Nintendo Switch 2 will play some authentic Switch video games in bodily variations. The cartridge slot is to the appropriate of the headphone jack within the above picture, which is the place the slot is on the unique Switch. You can inform recreation cartridges from the 2 console generations aside by colour: ones for the brand new Switch 2 are purple, whereas older Switch 1 video games are black.Winner: Switch 2. Watch this: We Played Nintendo Switch 2: Mario, Donkey Kong, Mouse, Camera and a Lot More
    08:02 ValueThe NIntendo Switch 2 prices $450 in comparison with $300 for the unique Nintendo Switch and $400 for the OLED Nintendo Switch. It’s unclear proper now how US President Donald Trump’s world tariffs will have an effect on the worth, and proper now, the Switch 2 value is holding regular at $450. But if tariffs enter the image, they certainly will not make the console cheaper.The VerdictCNET’s Scott Stein spent a day taking part in the Nintendo Switch 2.If you are a gamer, there’s nothing just like the Nintendo Switch 2 on the market, he reviews.”I’d say the Switch 2 is a better piece of hardware (than the existing Switch) no doubt, but the upgrade proposition feels pretty uncertain until Nintendo shows many more games that make it worth it,” Stein mentioned.Stein notes that, at $450 (£395, AU$699), plus $70 or $80 for such video games as Mario Kart World and Donkey Kong Bananza, the Nintendo Switch 2 “is an expensive proposition for any family right now.”But if cash’s not an enormous situation, go forward and improve.”Then again, as a handheld game console with its own included dock that can also play games in 4K on a TV, it’s actually competitively priced versus the Steam Deck and Windows gaming handhelds,” Stein says.Switch 2 FAQWhen is the Nintendo Switch 2 popping out?June 5. If you have not preordered, chances are you’ll be out of luck, however there’s some hope.The console continues to be bought out nearly in all places on-line, however a number of retailers — together with Best Buy, Target, GameCease, Walmart and even Staples — have confirmed that they will offer in-store availability on launch day, with most kicking off at midnight. It will definitely be aggressive, however this could possibly be your greatest wager in case you’re trying to seize considered one of these cutting-edge handhelds for your self anytime quickly. Additionally, Target has introduced that it’ll have one other spherical of on-line availability on June 6.We’re monitoring Nintendo Switch 2 availability on this story.Why are Nintendo Switch 2 video games $80?Getting the Nintendo Switch 2 is barely a part of the issue. Games for the Switch 2 positive aren’t low cost. The must-have Mario Kart World is $80, $10 greater than what most new video games price right this moment.While the Trump administrations tariffs are making headlines, they don’t seem to be guilty right here. CNET’s Oscar Gonzalez writes that one seemingly cause is recreation storage. Industry evaluation from Niko Partners notes that “one reason for the higher price is the increased cost of the new and faster Game Cards themselves, with higher capacities being more expensive to manufacture than a PS5 Blu-ray disc.”But whereas Mario Kart World is priced at $80, one other Nintendo Switch 2 recreation, Donkey Kong Bananza, which comes out in July, is listed on Nintendo’s web site for $70. Not precisely low cost, however cheaper than Mario Kart World.Here’s a have a look at the Nintendo Switch 2 video games we’re most excited to play.

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