Amazon product listing imageGamingResearch-based
Nintendo Switch
Nintendo's original hybrid console plays on a TV or as a handheld, with two detachable Joy-Con controllers. Its 720p screen, 32GB storage and age all weigh on the price.
Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch 2?
If you already own an original Nintendo Switch, here's exactly what changes with the Switch 2 — screen, performance, battery life and price — so you can decide whether now is the right time to upgrade.
The short answer
The performance leap is real and reviewers agree it's the single biggest reason to upgrade — old Switch games often load faster and run better without any patch. But if you mainly play handheld, away from a charger, the original Switch's better battery life and lower price may still suit you better. NBC Select's own year-later review put it plainly: existing owners without a strong pull toward a specific exclusive like Mario Kart World may be better off waiting for the game library to grow further before spending the extra £136.
Which one is for you?
Amazon product listing imageNintendo Switch
Choose it if You want one console for the TV and for playing away from it
£259.99 RRP · 32GB hybrid consolePrice recorded · 12 October 2026
Amazon product listing imageNintendo Switch 2
Choose it if You want Nintendo's best current console for home and handheld play
£419.99 RRP · console onlyPrice recorded · 12 October 2026
The differences, made clear.
All comparisons| What matters | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|
| Screen | 6.2-inch, 720p, 60Hz | Stronger here7.9-inch, 1080p, up to 120Hz, HDR10 |
| Docked output | Up to 1080p | Stronger hereUp to 4K |
| Internal storage | 32GB | Stronger here256GB |
| Handheld battery life | Stronger hereAround 4.5-9 hours | Around 2-6.5 hours (closer to 3 hours in real-world testing) |
| UK launch price | Stronger here£259.99 | £395.99 |
| Joy-Con | Rail-slide attachment, no mouse mode | Stronger hereMagnetic attachment, optional mouse mode in supported games |
| Backwards compatibility | N/A | Stronger herePlays almost all original Switch games, often with faster loading and better performance |
A stronger result in one row does not make a product the right choice for everyone. Recorded price details are from the source review snapshot; live prices show their checked time.
The sources behind this advice
Read the original information and testing.
OUR REVIEWS
Read our full reviews.
Amazon product listing imageAmazon product listing imageGamingResearch-based
Nintendo Switch 2
Nintendo's console with a 7.9-inch 1080p screen, smooth games and up to 4K on a TV. Battery life of about 3 hours with demanding games in TechRadar's testing matters if you play mostly on the move.
Amazon product listing imageGamingResearch-based
Nintendo Switch OLED
The Nintendo Switch OLED is a hybrid console with a 7-inch OLED screen for deeper blacks and richer colour, and 64GB of storage. It plays on a TV or as a handheld, and suits handheld play best.
Amazon product listing imageGamingResearch-based
Nintendo Switch Lite
A small, light Nintendo Switch made only for handheld play. It has built-in controls and a 5.5-inch screen, and it cannot connect to a TV.
Amazon product listing imageGamingResearch-based
Valve Steam Deck OLED 512GB
Valve's handheld PC with an OLED screen, a 90Hz refresh rate and access to your Steam library. The £479 512GB model suits players who accept occasional tinkering.