Nintendo Switch OLED in the test: worth the premium option for handheld

A few months ago we were visiting Nintendo in Frankfurt to look at the OLED model of the Switch before, and were quite convinced of the new screen. Accordingly, we fell with us to return to the pale LCD model with its comparatively gigantic screen edges. But the era of the thick beams now has an end: the switch OLED has finally arrived with us and we have tested her for a few days for heart and kidneys!

Table of contents

1. 1 overdue fresh cell cure
2. 2so nice colors
3. 3nd hard in life!
4. 4 else racing and buy?

overdue fresh cell cure

As a striking as the 3DS XL, the size difference between the screens of the two models is not, but the OLED variant acts clearly contemporary and considerable. Source: PC Games The slightly larger screen diagonal of the new model drops immediately after switching on. And positive! For almost identical housing - the OLED model is only 3 mm wider - the screen of 6.2 inches (15.75 cm) has increased to 7 inches (17.78 cm). Accordingly, the screen edges have become visibly thinner. Although Nintendo did not conjure up a completely border display, but the screen is definitely greater, the design overall is contemporary and handsome. The built-in display material is now black and no longer dark gray.

Who fears, the optics could become out of focus because of the same residual resolution, it is unprofitable: the display is still small enough for 720p, a disturbing difference we could not make out of marginally uncertain writing. What, on the other hand, stands out directly, are the advantages of the OLED technology of the screen. In practice, an OLED display causes single illuminated pixels especially for sattered colors, a better contrast ratio and deeper black tones - as well as on the new switch model.

So beautiful colors

To deduct all that, we snapped games where the OLED screen in our opinion is particularly good. We are hoped by a few levels in Super Mario 3D World and the entry of Gris, explored the asylum in Dark Souls and shot a few robots in the superbunted Daemon X Machina. For all games tested, the color saturation is a lot more pronounced than on the LCD. In direct comparison, the colors on the OLED brilliant, while the LCD felt coated by a slight gray body and looks boring. The difference is actually so clear that the colors in particular colorful games like Super Mario 3D World and especially Daemon X Machina were almost too bright. Mario s skin, for example, is almost orange through the high saturation!

OLED model, lively color intensity, maximum brightness frame sliderlcd model, maximum brightness

Who orange men are somehow suspect that flits into the console settings and sets the OLED exclusive option for color intensity from the preset lively on Standard. Then the effect is mitigated, a tick stronger remain strong but remain. Ultimately, this is of course a taste issue.

OLED model, lively color intensity, maximum brightness frame sliderlcd model, maximum brightness

Of the other advantages of OLED screens, it benefits regardless of the color mode: The display acts a total of slightly brighter, the contrasts are better and black surfaces are as black as the display in the off state (which is actually actually in these places). The dark dungeons of a Dark Soul also seem darker, while at the same time light sources are dramatic from the environment. Horror games like Doom 3 also look so dark and contrasting on the screen as thought of the developer.

By the way: Theoretically, it can happen that static elements on the screen (such as HUD displays) on the display burn up if you are displayed very long in a row. Since OLED screens in the smartphone world have been gait and gaues for many years, but we are not known to us greater incidents with regard to this burn-in, we are also optimistic at the OLED switch. If you want to go for sure, the automatic brightness and screensaver settings can be activated. Especially with very dark games like Doom 3, you benefit from dramatically better contrast and the rich blacktones of OLED scope. Source: PC Games Who still has the somewhat unripe OLED display of the first PS VITA model in mind, will be pleased that neither stain formation nor a overshoot from lights on dark image areas occur on the new switch screen. And so high quality, as the display looks, it feels too. Nintendo has donated the screen and the surrounding frame a high gloss polish that is pleasantly reminiscent of modern smartphones and tablets. Only downside: The OLED switch is on the front an absolute fingerprint magnet! So who works a lot with the touchscreen, who should have a cleaning cloth at hand.

As the Verge found, there is a pre-installed screen protection on the display, which you should not remove. Such adhesive films are installed to prevent shattering of the screen, suggesting that the screen is now actually made of glass. The new premium feeling is also noticeable elsewhere: the housing plastic has a slightly rough texture and feels beautiful robust, the ventilation slots on the top are subtle and more stable. In addition, the Joy-Cons is now sitting a tuck strip on the console. The weight of the tablet without Joy-CONS is about 320 grams, so only hardly noticeable 20 grams more than in the LCD model.

Finally firmly in life!

The new Kickstand can be adjusted steplessly. Here you see both kickstands maximum unfolded. Source: PC Games The second great innovation at the OLED model is the completely revised kickstand. What was formerly a rickety, much too little piece of plastic, extends almost over the entire width of the tablet. Nightoules and players who like to liege themselves from Youtube before sleeping will be glad that the OLED switch can now also stand on soft surfaces such as a bed without taking over. But that s not enough: Nintendo has donated to the display a new hinge that can be steplessly adjusted to ensure a good viewing angle regardless of the table height in Tabletop mode.

In the maximum folded state, the switch (Buy Now 379,26 €) almost on the back. The ugly product information is now also under the Kickstand, on the back of the housing, only the switch logo praises. Fancy! The stereo speakers have also got an update damped. Although their roar cube character, the boxes did not get rid of, they now sound a bit clear, natural and at maximum attitude louder. As a emergency solution, they are definitely useful than their predecessors. The kickstand is wide and stable enough to set up the switch OLED on soft surfaces such as a couch, an armchair or bed. Source: PC Games on TV Nothing new The dock has been redesigned minimally: The back USB port is a LAN connection and the return flap can now be removed completely. Small nerve factor on the console itself: The slot for the games cartridges is now a bit fumbling to open. Source: PC Games All advantages listed so far concern exclusively handheld and tabletop players. In the dock, little has changed internally: Furthermore, the console outputs a maximum resolution of 1080p at 60 frames per second to your TV. The option for the color intensity may also change in dock mode, but it does not make itself noticeable. If you still want the effect, you must change the color saturation in the settings of your TV or monitor. However, Nintendo has optically revised the dock and adapted to the more modern design of the tablet.

The case has rounder corners and depending on the selected color variant in white or black therefore. The bay in which the switch is located, now consists of high-gloss plastic and also has round corners. What has disturbed us something here is how loose the switch is now sitting in the dock. This is in principle understandable, after all, Nintendo wants to avoid the station like its predecessor version can scratch the display of the console, but it looks a bit cheap with all the new premium charm. If you open the now removable back flap of the dock, you will also find a permanently installed LAN connection for more stable connections when the rear USB A port instead of the rear USB A port. Nice, but you can also expand the old dock very cheap through a LAN adapter. By the way: Because of the same interna, all dockable switches are compatible with all versions of the dock.

Los race and buy?

The white joy-cons are, at least on foreseeable time, only available together with the switch OLED. Source: Nintendo Thus we would then be at the point that makes a clear buy recommendation for those who already have a switch, rather difficult. Because in the interior of the console quasi has changed nothing. Battery life and performance are identical to the Switch model published in 2019. Accordingly, your games will look poor and lively in handheld mode, but just as good or bad, as you are used to. The problem with the Joy-Con-Drift has apparently not solved Nintendo. In the chic white controllers (unfortunately you can not acquire separately) are the same components as it had. After all, you can look forward to the doubled internal storage space from now on 64 gigabytes, which is still quite scarce for a modern console.

So who should strike? If you actually have no switch yet, the surcharge of 50 to 60 euros opposite the LCD model is definitely justified, because you will get the fancy, modern-looking device with the significantly better display. If you plan to operate the device exclusively in the stuffed condition, however, can be safely buying the old model or stay with it. You already have an LCD switch that uses your priority in handheld mode? Then the estimated 360 euros for the display upgrade are of course extremely smoky and probably not the future-proof investment because of the same residents (and somewhat elderly) performance.

Yes, the OLED Switch is undoubtedly the best switch that you can buy currently. But she is not a new 3D or PS4-pro moderate update. And since you can not exclude that Nintendo comes out of the blue with such an update around the corner, we recommend satisfied switch owners, with the purchase at least to wait or consider it very well.

You want to know all the hardware details exactly? Here you find a table with the differences between LCD and OLED model.

My opinion

Vonstefan Wilhelm editor stefan.wilhelm@computec.de

Tempting? Yes. 360-Euro-tempting? No.

She is already very chic, this new switch. And she is definitely the model I ll tear myself for future game tests in the editors among the nail! As a friend of gloomy games I like the great, contrasting picture really good and even if the lively color setting is something too bright to me, she fits Nintendos mostly very colorful games like the fist on the eye. That the console with its larger display and the more modern design has now finally dropped your subtle toy character, I also welcome. But as a switch owner, it is still difficult for me to beat private. Yes, I like to play in handheld mode and exactly for this is the new model thought. Nevertheless, if I buy a completely new device, I do not want it to be replaced by a drilled version in a few months or years, which I jerk in view of the fact that now self-jerking nintendo games on the switch and graphic Hardly evolving, but still out. My motto: Better to wait!

My opinion

Vonkatharina Pache Editorial manager katharina.pache@computec.de

The Switch OLED comes into the house, but not immediately.

Appearance is not everything, but I really have to say that the Switch OLED looks a lot of chic at first sight than the normal switch model (even if I find the blue-orange black color combus also nice). The OLED screen is really much about what my gambling habits arrive, usually I usually play privately in handheld mode. I just love to play on the sofa comfortably under the blanket to play without getting me to align TV! For the work this is another topic again, because I use 90 percent of the time the docked mode because I mean videos during them. I would not buy OLED for that. If I had no switch yet, but would definitely meet me the new model in the bag. Stand now I will get the OLED as a second device for home, but probably only for Christmas.

My opinion

Vonlukas Schmid Editorial manager lukas.schmid@computec.de

Fine device and a temptation that I will probably yield

I do not need switch OLED. At home, I play almost exclusively on the TV, but also hardly in the multiplayer, which is why I do not need the extra internet speed through the LAN port of the new dock. Besides, I already have such a pretty thing here in the office as a working tool, if I want, I simply add that and experience in the rare moments, where it is necessary, then mobile great picture quality. And: 360 euros are a whole rod money that would be better invested somewhere else, as long as my old switch is still humping. After all that is said: soon, so in the coming weeks, I will definitely get a switch OLED. Why? Oh, if I knew that myself! In the heart, I m still just the little Lukas, who reads Anno in 1997 every text peting in the N-zone and has to raise what the Mario Group throws on the market because reasons. Some call it stupid. I also. But it s the way. I want to have!

From Stefan Wilhelm editor 11.10.2021 at 17:00