After years of speculation, a new Nintendo Switch model has finally been unveiled. The Nintendo Switch OLED model may not be the "Pro" upgrade fans were hoping for, but that's not to say the new console is lacking in new features by any means.
Between an enhanced display and some fixes to some oft-criticized aspects of Nintendo's hit hybrid console, the recently announced Nintendo Switch OLED Model looks to have a lot going for it, so much so that it might just be the definitive version of the console going forward.
An OLED Screen And Improved Stand for the Nintendo Switch
The most front-facing improvement is that of the system receiving an upgrade to its display. While earlier models of the Switch utilized an LCD display, this new model includes an OLED one, promising "vivid colors and crisp contrast" while playing in handheld mode. Before this new Switch's unveiling, the PlayStation Vita was the last major handheld to use an OLED display, and to this day, the screen still makes certain Vita games look pretty solid, even on 10-year-old hardware.
It doesn't seem likely that the OLED Switch will receive a bump in power, but the new screen should definitely help games to pop a little more. The larger screen should assist with that, as well. The original Switch's display was 6.2 inches, while the Nintendo Switch Lite boasted a 5.5-inch display. Comparatively, the OLED model will have a 7-inch display.
The Nintendo Switch has had a built-in kickstand from the get-go, but using it can be a rather arduous task. For starters, it's difficult to even get it out, and since it's only located on one side of the system, it doesn't do a particularly great job of keeping the Switch propped upright. The tiniest bump can knock the handheld off-balance, and no one wants their Switch to take a tumble.
Fortunately, it looks like the new Switch model will include an entirely new stand that folds out from behind the handheld, and spans the entire length of the system; Switch owners can even adjust the angle at which the device is propped up. This looks like a significant improvement from the unreliable kickstand onboard current Switch consoles, and it should make setting the system up on a coffee table or an airplane tray table a more attractive option.
The Switch OLED's LAN Port, Internal Storage, And Onboard Speakers
The Nintendo Switch's online capabilities are sometimes questionable, especially when it comes to some of the console's larger titles. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate, notably, is fairly laggy over a wireless connection, and it's often advised players make use of a hardwired ethernet connection. There's only one problem: The Switch doesn't have a native ethernet port, so the only solution, for a while, was for players to go out and purchase an ethernet adapter. Owners of this new Switch model won't have to worry about that, as the system's dock will include a built-in ethernet port for wired connections, meaning there's one less extra peripheral to purchase for the hybrid console.
With how large games are nowadays, the Nintendo Switch's storage size has been the target of much scrutiny. The original model only had 32 gigabytes of onboard storage space, and certain games like the Witcher 3 or Mortal Kombat 11 are capable of taking up most, if not all, of that by themselves. Micro SD cards can remedy this issue, but unless one goes out and drops a pretty penny on a large-sized one, it's probably only a matter of time before that storage space fills up again.
At 64 GB of internal storage, the OLED Switch model will have double the amount of storage as its progenitor. It's not the perfect fix for the Switch's storage issues, but this at least means that games like the NBA 2K series, the latest which takes up a whopping 37 GB on Nintendo's handheld, can be run on the system without the need to purchase a Micro SD card.
The original Nintendo Switch's speakers weren't bad, but they weren't particularly great, either. While the specifics aren't quite clear on how the audio will be improved, the fact that the speakers will be getting a bump is exciting, as it demonstrates a focus on enhancing the Nintendo Switch's handheld experience through both visual and auditory means.
What the Nintendo Switch OLED Model Doesn't Have
Leading up to the new Nintendo Switch model's unveiling, there were plenty of rumors that the new version of the Switch would include features like 4K capabilities. The idea was that such features would not only give the system better technical parity with the neighboring PS5 and Xbox Series X, but would also potentially boost the performance of games on the Switch, which often run at lower framerates compared to other consoles.
However, the OLED model of the Nintendo Switch does not come packed with any such technical improvements. The internals seem to be unchanged, but as mentioned before, the new OLED screen should ensure games look a little better, even if they aren't performing any better than on a base Switch.
While some may be disappointed by the lack of a significant hardware bump, there is a recognizable net positive: Those who either don't want to or simply do not have the means to upgrade to the latest edition of the Switch won't be locked out of any new games that launch on it in the near future. Additionally, the Switch's stagnant hardware will surely please developers, who won't have to worry about ensuring their games run efficiently on yet another device. This generation currently has ten active home consoles, including all variants of the PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Series X/S, and at this point in time, a Switch Pro would just muddy the waters further.
Don't Rule Out A Nintendo Switch Pro Just Yet
It's worth noting that the existence of this new model of the Switch doesn't necessarily eliminate the possibility of a "Pro" model featuring the aforementioned boosts in power and graphics from arriving in the future.
Nintendo is no stranger to releasing multiple hardware revisions of their handhelds. The Game Boy Advance had three distinct versions, Nintendo released four different models of the DSÂ over 10 years, and the 3DS, notably, had six hardware revisions over the span of six years. The Nintendo Switch OLED Model is the latest version of the Nintendo Switch to be unveiled, but if history is any indicator, it probably won't be the last.
The Nintendo Switch OLED Model will be released on October 8, 2021.
