Nintendo Switch Lite Vs Nintendo Switch

If yous oasis't picked upward the Nintendo Switch notwithstanding, you lot now have two distinct options to choose from. In that location's the original arrangement, which offers portability and docked tv play alongside removable Joy-Con controllers, and there'south the Nintendo Switch Lite, the smaller, cheaper culling.

The Switch Lite is like to the original handheld but features some significant design changes that might pique or quell your interest. Both are considerable choices, but determining which is the best for you depends on what you're looking for. We've broken down how each console differs to brand your determination easier — we've even rounded up the best Nintendo Switch deals bachelor now.

See more

Best Nintendo Switch games
Nintendo Switch vs. PS5
All-time Nintendo Switch exclusives

Specs

	Nintendo Switch	Nintendo Switch Lite
Dimensions	10 10 four.2 x .55 inches	8.ii x three.6 x 0.55 inches
Weight	0.66 pounds without controllers, 0.88 pounds with controllers	0.61 pounds
Processor	Nvidia customized Tegra/Tegra X1+	Nvidia customized Tegra X1+
RAM	4GB	4GB
Storage	32GB of flash storage, expandable through MicroSD	32GB of wink storage, expandable through MicroSD
A/V output	HDMI out	No
I/O Output	1 USB-C, USB 3.0, USB 2.o x2	1 USB-C
Communication	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.i	Wi-Fi, Bluetooth iv.1
Controller	Joy-Con or Pro Controller	Built into organisation
Screen size and resolution	6.2 inches, 720p	five.5 inches, 720p
Bombardment life	Up to 6.5 hours for old model, nine hours for new model	Up to 7 hours
Concrete media	Proprietary cartridge	Proprietary cartridge
Availability	Bachelor Now	Available Now
DT review	4/5 stars	4.five/5 stars

Pattern and features

Nintendo Switch with Rocket League — Ahmad Mohammed/Unsplash

The standard Nintendo Switch is a hybrid console. It can be played as a handheld organization or in "tabletop" mode with its included kickstand, and equally a home panel when placed in its dock. Its power isn't its biggest selling point, falling somewhere betwixt the Wii U and the standard Xbox One and PlayStation 4 consoles. What makes the Switch special is the many ways it can exist used, though.

Outside of its dock, the Switch functions as a typical handheld arrangement. A Joy-Con controller is locked onto either side with the same push button layout and sticks you'd expect on a standard gamepad. At whatever time, notwithstanding, you tin remove the Joy-Con controllers and place the system in its dock and brainstorm playing the organisation as a home panel. This "switch" happens instantly, and y'all can remove the console from the dock to play as a handheld system merely as swiftly.

The Switch Lite doesn't have many of the features that make the Switch unique, and this is reflected in its reduced price. The system doesn't come with a dock, nor is at that place whatever way to connect information technology to a television.

The controls on either side resemble the Joy-Con controllers, just they are a permanent office of the system. Its weight and screen size have both been reduced, with the latter shrinking from six.2 inches to five.5 inches. Both systems take a 720p-capable screen.

Nevertheless, the biggest difference comes from the new custom Tegra X1+ chip. Although its capabilities are nearly identical to the original Switch, it'south much more efficient, leading to longer bombardment life in the Switch Lite, up to vii.5 hours. Nintendo quietly released a revision of the original Switch with this new processor, nearly double the battery life of the original console. Unfortunately, the simply fashion to tell if it's a new Switch is by the box and series number. If it'south a scarlet box, it's the new Switch. As well, if the serial number starts with "XKW," information technology's the new 1. Outside of the new processor, the two models are the same.

Cloud saves are supported on the Switch and so long as you have a Nintendo Switch Online subscription, so you'll likely be able to access your game progress beyond both systems in that style. In that location is a pick of games like Pokémon: Let's Get, withal, that don't have cloud saving enabled.

Every bit for the ability to transfer information between the two devices, information technology's possible, though not instantaneously. Just as you would practice going from one Switch to some other, y'all can transfer your unabridged account to the Switch Lite if y'all want to pick i up. Yet, you can't go back and forth unless you transfer your profile manually each time.

Controller

The original Nintendo Switch comes with ii Joy-Con controllers in the basic package, as well as the Joy-Con grip. When fastened to the Switch, the Joy-Con controllers function identically to how the controls work on the Switch Lite. When detached, however, you accept far more options.

Turned sideways, one Joy-Con controller can exist used on its own, much like a archetype NES gamepad, and buttons inside the rail portion tin can be raised with the included Joy-Con straps. This lets yous essentially play a 2-player game wherever yous are, such as Mario Kart 8 Deluxeor New Super Mario Bros. U Deluxe.

If yous place both Joy-Con controllers in the Joy-Con grip, they resemble the expect and experience of a traditional gamepad, and this is the primary way to play games while docked unless you lot purchase a Pro Controller.

Though the Switch Lite does support these controllers via Bluetooth connection, its own controls are not detachable. As such, you will need to purchase at least one Joy-Con controller to play the system with a friend, as well as a stand to place it down since the kickstand found on the standard Switch has been removed from the Switch Light.

Notwithstanding, the fixed controls do mean the Switch Lite gets a total-fledged directional pad. For certain platforming games that demand precise jumps, this could brand the Switch Light the preferred selection, at to the lowest degree among those who do not desire to play their games on a TV.

1 type of controller that will apparently not exist supported by the Switch Calorie-free at all is the GameCube controller. An adapter is available to utilise this controller on the standard Switch, but it connects via a USB port on the dock rather than straight to the console. No dock with the Switch Low-cal, no USB port.

Games

The Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Low-cal play almost the same library of games, and with the proper accessories, you can reach complete parity betwixt the 2 systems. Out of the box, yet, there are a few titles you cannot savour on the Switch Lite.

Super Mario Party tin can only be played in either tabletop or docked mode because information technology makes heavy utilise of the Joy-Con controllers' unique motion features. The aforementioned is truthful for launch championship i-2 Switch, which utilizes "HD Rumble" for some of its mini-games.

Without buying a few Joy-Con controllers (and a Grip to go on them charged), these games will non work on Switch Calorie-free. They can run without extra Joy-Cons, merely they're not exactly playable. Certain modes also volition be inaccessible in other games. You won't exist able to use motion controllers to flick your Poké Ball in Pokémon: Let's Get, for example.

Accessories

nintendo labo vr kit — Felicia Miranda/Digital Trends

The other major incompatibility with Switch Lite is Nintendo Labo . The graphics are programmed to fit the original Switch, so the sets don't expect right on the Switch Light. Labo also uses Joy-Con controllers, which aren't compatible with the Switch Lite. That means the VR modes added to The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey won't be available to Switch Light owners.

There are plenty of incredible cases, skins, and screen protectors designed specifically for the Nintendo Switch Lite. Because information technology's tinier than the Switch, the conventional accessories won't fit well on the latest device. Still, they can't friction match the classic Nintendo Switch'due south massive number of accessories , several of which are non supported by the Switch Low-cal. Cases, screen shields, and guard shells, for instance, will all exist too massive. There are a few items that volition work well, though, like headsets (using a iii.5mm input) and control stick covers.

Price and release appointment

The regular Nintendo Switch organization is available now. The auction value is $300, just it'due south commonly much cheaper when at that place's a auction going on, such equally Prime Twenty-four hour period and Black Fri. The regular system comes in dark gray or neon cherry-red and blue colors, with picturesque special edition consoles making their way on the scene too.

The Switch Lite is $200 is available in a variety of fun and different colors like coral, xanthous, gray, and turquoise. A special edition for Pokémon Sword and Shield was released quickly following the launch but sold out immediately.

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Nintendo Switch Lite Vs Nintendo Switch

Specs

Nintendo Switch