Nintendo Switch (OLED Model) Review: the Switch that finally makes handheld mode feel right

I’ve been using the white Nintendo Switch OLED as my main console for a while now, after owning the original launch Switch for a few years. I didn’t get it on day one; I waited for a decent price and picked it up when my old Switch started to feel tired, especially in handheld mode. So this is coming from someone who actually used the older model a lot, not just unboxed this one and stared at the screen for 10 minutes.

In day-to-day use, the big change is simple: handheld and tabletop gaming feel much nicer. The OLED screen, the better kickstand, and the slightly better audio are the things I noticed straight away. Performance-wise, it’s basically the same Switch we’ve known since 2017. Same games, same menus, same limitations. If you’re expecting faster loading or better frame rates, you’ll be disappointed. It’s more of a comfort and quality of life upgrade.

I mostly play in two situations: on the sofa while someone else uses the TV, and when traveling. Compared to my old Switch, I actually choose handheld mode on purpose now instead of seeing it as a compromise. Colors pop more, dark scenes look cleaner, and my eyes just get less tired. The console itself also feels a bit more solid in the hands, especially with the Joy-Con attached.

It’s not perfect though. Joy-Con drift is still a risk, storage is better but still fills up quickly if you download a lot of big games, and if you only ever play docked, this upgrade is borderline pointless. But if you’re like me and use handheld a lot, the changes are noticeable enough to matter in real life, not just on spec sheets.

Price-wise, the Switch OLED usually sits a bit above the regular Switch. The big question is: is it worth paying more? My take is pretty straightforward: if you mostly play handheld or tabletop, yes, it’s worth the extra cost. The screen, the kickstand, and the slightly better audio actually change how pleasant it is to use the console every day. If you mainly leave it in the dock and play on a TV, the upgrade is much harder to justify.

Compared to the Switch Lite, the OLED is obviously more expensive, but you get TV mode, detachable Joy-Con, and that nicer screen. If this is your first Switch and you can afford the OLED, I’d skip the Lite unless you are 100% sure you’ll never use it on a TV and you need the cheapest option possible. The OLED feels more flexible and more like a full console, not just a handheld side device.

If you already own a Switch V2 (the slightly improved battery LCD model), the value question is more tricky. You’re basically paying for a better screen, double storage, and some comfort upgrades. Performance stays the same. If you rarely leave the dock, I’d honestly say keep your current console and spend the money on games or accessories instead. If, like me, you use handheld a lot and your old unit is getting worn out, the OLED is a logical step up.

Overall, I’d call the value good but not mind-blowing. You’re not being ripped off, but you’re also not getting a whole new generation of hardware. It’s a refinement. For the right user, it feels like money well spent. For the wrong user (TV-only, already happy with a V2), it’s basically paying for looks.

The white OLED model looks much cleaner and more “living-room friendly” than the neon red/blue launch Switch I had before. On a TV stand, the white dock blends in better with other devices, and it doesn’t scream “kids’ toy” as much. The bezels around the screen are thinner, which makes the console itself look more modern even though the body size is roughly the same. It still feels like a portable console, but less plasticky at first glance.

What I noticed the most in daily use is the kickstand redesign. The old Switch had that tiny flimsy piece of plastic that snapped off if you looked at it wrong. On the OLED, the kickstand runs almost the full width of the console and has multiple angles. On a table or tray table on a train, it actually stays in place and doesn’t feel like it’s going to collapse if someone bumps the table. If you use tabletop mode with friends, this change alone makes the console feel like a newer generation.

The Joy-Con rails and the overall build feel a bit tighter. Joy-Con wobble is much less noticeable than on my old unit. They still detach the same way, but when they’re locked in, the whole thing feels more like one solid device instead of three pieces barely hanging together. The white Joy-Con look nice but they will obviously show dirt more easily than darker colors. If you eat snacks while playing, you’ll be wiping them down pretty often.

One small detail: the dock design is slightly changed inside too, with a removable back cover instead of a flimsy door. Cable management is a bit less annoying, and plugging in the LAN cable is straightforward. It’s not some design revolution, but it’s the kind of small tweak that makes the system feel like a more mature version of the original idea.

Battery life on the OLED model is in the same range as the revised V2 Switch, not the very first launch model. In real life, it’s “fine but not crazy”. With lighter games or indie titles, you can easily get 5–6 hours. With heavier games like Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Mario Odyssey, or something like Assassin’s Creed III Remastered (as one reviewer mentioned), you’re more in the 3.5–4.5 hour range depending on brightness and Wi‑Fi usage.

For example, playing Zelda with brightness at around 60% and Wi‑Fi on, I usually get around 4.5 hours before I start getting low-battery anxiety. If I push the brightness to max, it drops closer to 4 hours. With smaller games like Stardew Valley or indie platformers, I can go through a long train ride without worrying much. So the battery isn’t bad, it’s just very dependent on the game and your settings.

Charging is via USB‑C as usual, and if you use the official charger, it tops up reasonably fast. If you’re traveling, a decent power bank that supports USB‑C PD is almost mandatory if you plan to play a lot. The console can be used while charging, but of course it will charge slower. I often plug it in while watching something and let it charge between sessions, which avoids running it down completely.

Overall, I’d say the battery is solid enough for commutes and casual trips, but if you expect full long-haul flights on heavy games without a charger, you’ll be disappointed. It’s a portable system, not a miracle. Compared to the very first Switch revision, it’s better. Compared to the later V2 model, it’s basically the same, so don’t upgrade just for battery life alone.

The packaging for the Switch OLED is more compact than the original Switch box I remember. Nintendo clearly tried to cut down on unnecessary cardboard, which honestly is fine by me. You open the box and the first thing you see is the console and Joy-Con laid out flat. Underneath, you’ve got the dock, cables, grip, and straps. It’s organised well enough that you don’t end up digging around wondering if you’re missing something.

Some users reported getting Japanese boxes or units that weren’t sealed but still in good condition. That’s more about the retailer’s sourcing than the product itself. If you buy from Amazon UK or other sellers, don’t be shocked if the box language or seal situation is a bit odd, but check that the contents are original and complete: official charger, HDMI, and so on. In my case, everything was properly packed and felt new.

The internal protection is mostly cardboard and a bit of plastic, but it does the job. My unit arrived without scratches or marks, and all accessories were in their own small plastic bags. Nothing fancy here, but nothing sloppy either. It’s the kind of packaging you open once and then throw into a cupboard, not something you keep on display.

If you care about collecting boxes, the white OLED version looks decent on a shelf but it’s not some special collector’s edition. If you’re just a normal user, you’ll probably forget about the box 10 minutes after unboxing. It’s functional, clear, and that’s about it. Which is fine for a console in this price range.

In terms of build, the Switch OLED feels more solid than my old launch unit. The wider metal-style kickstand and tighter Joy-Con rails give the impression of a console that can handle being put in a bag and used on the go without falling apart. I’ve thrown it in a backpack (in a simple sleeve) plenty of times and it hasn’t picked up any major scratches or cracks.

The screen is now OLED and covered with a plastic layer. Out of the box, mine already had a thin protective film applied by Nintendo, but I still recommend adding a tempered glass screen protector. Several users mentioned brands like Ivoler, and I’d agree: just get something cheap and easy to install and don’t overthink it. The OLED panel looks great, but I wouldn’t trust it naked if you’re traveling a lot or have kids around.

Joy-Con durability is still the big question mark. Joy-Con drift is not officially “fixed”, and even though the rails feel more solid, the internal sticks are basically the same design. If you had drift on previous Joy-Con, you know the drill: either you learn to repair/clean them yourself, or you end up buying replacements. I haven’t had drift yet on the new ones, but given Nintendo’s history, I’m not counting on them being perfect long-term.

The dock feels a bit sturdier and better finished, with fewer sharp edges and a more solid back cover. I haven’t had any issues with the dock scratching the screen, but again, a screen protector is cheap insurance. Overall durability is decent: it’s not a tank, but if you use a case, a protector, and don’t throw it across the room, it should handle everyday use just fine.

Let’s be clear: performance is basically identical to the regular Switch. Same CPU, same RAM, same resolutions in docked and handheld, same frame rates. If a game struggled on your old Switch, it will behave the same here. Metroid, Zelda, Mario Kart, Pokémon, indie games – they all run as before. You’re not getting PS5-level graphics or anything close, just the same Nintendo experience with a better screen.

Where it does feel different is how games look and feel in handheld mode. Because the OLED screen has better contrast and deeper blacks, games like Breath of the Wild, Metroid Dread, or anything with dark zones actually look cleaner. You don’t see that washed-out grey look as much. Colors are stronger but not in a fake way, just less dull. It doesn’t change frame rates, but it makes the same graphics more pleasant to look at for longer sessions.

Audio is slightly improved too. The onboard speakers are louder and clearer than on my old Switch. You still won’t get anything close to a soundbar, but for playing in bed or on a train without headphones, it’s fine. Voices are a bit clearer, and music has a bit more punch. If you mostly use headphones, this won’t matter much, but I did notice it when playing in handheld mode on the sofa while the TV was in use.

Online performance depends more on your internet connection and Nintendo’s servers than the console itself, but the wired LAN port on the dock does help. In games like Mario Kart and Splatoon, I got fewer random disconnects compared to Wi‑Fi, especially in a house with a lot of devices connected. Don’t expect miracles, but for people who play competitive online games, using a cable instead of Wi‑Fi is just safer.

Out of the box, you get everything you need to start playing: the OLED console, the white dock, two white Joy-Con, the Joy-Con grip, two wrist straps, HDMI cable, and the power adapter. Nothing surprising there, it’s basically the same kit as the regular Switch. If you’re in Europe and buy from the UK like some reviewers mentioned, just remember you might need a UK-to-EU plug adapter. That’s not a console issue, just something practical to keep in mind.

The main differences versus the standard Switch are pretty clear: 7-inch OLED screen instead of 6.2-inch LCD, 64 GB storage instead of 32 GB, a much wider adjustable kickstand, slightly better speakers, and a dock that includes a wired LAN port. The rest is familiar: same Joy-Con system, same operating system, same game library. If you hoped for a “Switch Pro”, this isn’t it. It’s the same brain with nicer clothes.

In practice, the 64 GB storage is an improvement but it’s still not huge. A couple of big games like Zelda, a few mid-size titles, and some indies and you’re already thinking about a microSD card. So yes, it’s better than the old 32 GB, but don’t expect to avoid extra storage forever if you like digital purchases. Nintendo clearly still expects most people to add a card at some point.

As for the dock, the wired LAN port is nice if you play a lot of online games like Splatoon, Mario Kart, or Smash. It doesn’t magically fix Nintendo’s online limitations, but it does make the connection more stable than Wi‑Fi in most homes. The rest of the dock is very similar: HDMI out, two USB ports, and that’s it. So overall, the package is familiar, just a bit more practical and slightly less annoying in everyday use.