The Switch 2 Is Beautifully Balanced Compared to the OG Switch and Steam Deck OLED
In two days, Nintendo’s highly anticipated Switch 2 comes out, and the universe as we know it will never be the same again. Just about every analyst is expecting the successor to the hit handheld/console to break launch day sales records. The Switch 2 release won’t merely be a tidal wave coming for the PS5 and Xbox Series S / X—it’s gonna be a tsunami with Mario Kart World riding on top. Gizmodo had a chance to get even closer and more personal with the Switch 2 last week. You can check out our hardware impressions here, thoughts on Mario Kart World here, and first play with GameChat using the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera and voice chat here. Keep scrolling if you want to see how the Switch 2 physically compares to the original Switch and the Steam Deck.
See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart
Physical Size
If you’re used to the portability of the Switch / Switch OLED, you may be surprised to unbox the Switch 2 and see that it’s noticeably larger, which also shouldn’t be shocking at all, considering the display has jumped up from 6.2 inches and 7 inches, respectively, to 7.9 inches. The Switch 2 is still not going to fit into 99.9% of pants (unless you’re rocking deep-pocket JNCOs again), but at the very least it’ll take up less space in a backpack or tote bag compared to larger handhelds. Whereas the Steam Deck has a thicker design (to accommodate an internal fan and larger, sculpted grips), the Switch 2 doesn’t, and as a result, it retains its thin 13.9mm profile. To unlock better performance while in console mode plugged into a TV, you can drop the Switch 2 into its included dock, which does include a cooling fan.
- Switch / Switch OLED: 239 x 102 x 13.9mm, 242 x 102 x 13.9mm
- Switch 2: 272 x 116 x 13.9mm
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 298 x 117 x 49mm
Still, I like that the overall footprint is smaller than the Steam Deck’s. There’s no dispute that Valve’s handheld is great (though aging poorly), but it’s a Hummer no matter where you use it. Ever drop a Steam Deck on your chest while gaming in bed? I have—and my sternum hurt like hell.
Screen Size and Brightness
As I already said, the Switch 2’s screen is significantly larger than the 6.2-inch display on the original Switch. If you’ve got a Switch OLED or a Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED, the leap in display size is relatively minor. But for OG Switch owners like myself, the bigger screen is delightful. The panel is 1080p resolution, but it’s an upgrade compared to the 720p on the Switch/OLED/Lite. I’ve played hundreds of hours of Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch, and even in my limited few hours with Mario Kart World, I could tell that the Switch 2’s display was more immersive. While blacks on the Switch 2 display are not as inky as devices with an OLED screen, colors are more vibrant and pop thanks to its support for HDR (and presumably increased brightness to qualify as HDR compatible). I regularly play on my Steam Deck OLED and feel the screen’s dynamic range is lacking despite it being an OLED panel. To be fair, though, my Steam Deck OLED does have the matte screen that cuts down on reflections at the expense of vividness; colors pop more on the glossy model.
- Switch / Switch OLED: 6.2 inches and 7 inches
- Switch 2: 7.9 inches
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 7 inches and 7.4 inches
At the end of the day, the Switch 2’s LCD screen is not a dealbreaker compared to an OLED. Sure, it would have been nice of Nintendo to go with an OLED, but the company’s probably saving it for a mid-cycle refresh. Don’t listen to the YouTubers who are waiting to fearmonger about how the Switch 2 LCD screen is inferior. I love OLED as much as the next nerd, but trust me when I say nobody is going to be fixated on black levels when they’re trying to survive a chaotic 24-person round of elimination-style “Knockout Tour” in Mario Kart World.
See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart
Thickness
- Switch / Switch OLED: 13.9mm
- Switch 2: 13.9mm
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 49mm
Frankly, I’m relieved that the Switch 2 doesn’t have a thick profile. I’ve tried many handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S—they’re bulky handhelds that are a far cry from “portable.” Others may disagree with me, but I’m firmly of the belief that if you’re going to make the dimensions of a device taller and wider, then at least keep it thin and light enough to not hurt while using it. Not everyone has Hulk-sized hands. In this regard, I’m appreciative of the Switch 2’s thin profile. On the other hand, I can sympathize with gamers who feel Nintendo should have made the Switch 2 and shoved a bigger battery inside. Every device has tradeoffs…
Weight
The Switch 2’s thinness also gives way to its weight: 535 grams (1.18 pounds). In comparison to Steam Decks, Nintendo’s new handheld is lightweight. It’s not as light as the original Switch or Switch OLED, but again, you need to remember that it’s got a larger screen, larger Joy-Con 2 controllers, and a few extra components like a secondary USB-C port on the top for connecting additional accessories such as the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera.
- Switch / Switch OLED: 398g (0.87 pounds), 422g (0.93 pounds)
- Switch 2: 535g (1.18 pounds)
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 669g, 640g (1.47 pounds, 1.41 pounds)
This is where I have to remind everybody that hand feel really makes a big difference. You can look at the dimensions and weight of the Switch 2 and think you have a good idea of how it compares to other similar devices, but real life tells a different story. The density of components and the distribution of them to create a balanced feel in the hand is something you have to experience for yourself. As always, Nintendo has done a superb job making the tiniest of details on the Switch 2 so that they feel improved, familiar as the device is. I spent several stretches playing the Switch 2 in handheld mode for 30-45 minutes continuously and didn’t feel it was ever too heavy or that I had to rest it on my lap or chest. Everybody is going to feel different, but generally, Nintendo has taken its decades of expertise designing hardware and applied it to the Switch 2.
Joy-Con 2 Controllers
As you probably already know, the Switch 2 has larger Joy-Con 2 controllers that attach magnetically to the device itself as opposed to the sliding mechanism on the original Switch. While it’s impossible for me to confirm whether or not these new detachable controllers will suffer from joystick drift long-term from my brief hands-on time with them, I can tell you that their bigger size makes longer game sessions more comfortable. My fingers didn’t feel as cramped trying to stretch across all of the buttons and joysticks. I especially liked the improved SL and SR buttons when using the Joy-Con 2 as individual controllers; the buttons are larger and clickier without the mushiness you get from the original Switch’s Joy-Cons.
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