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[DF] Nintendo Switch OLED Model Review: A Brilliant Display Upgrade - But Is That Enough?

Edgelord79

Gold Member
I mostly played docked so not sure if I will get this.
Whats the battery life like compared to previous Switch models?
If you play docked then this model provides nothing for you unless you want to play an astronomical price for the LAN port added. They clearly state that in the video. Its solely a screen update with a better kickstand.

Battery is supposed to be slightly better but you know... Whether that's true remains to be seen.
 

Kokoloko85

Member
If you play docked then this model provides nothing for you unless you want to play an astronomical price for the LAN port added. They clearly state that in the video. Its solely a screen update with a better kickstand.

Battery is supposed to be slightly better but you know... Whether that's true remains to be seen.

It seems a bit more sturdy and higher quality too but yeah. I might wait for Switch 2/ Pro etc
 

Dr.Morris79

Member
I'm as upset at the lack of a Switch Pro as the next guy. But not seeing the point of a VAST upgrade in screen (and kickstand) for a handheld hybrid? Really you don't see it?
But looking at it from a purely, 'I've already got both versions' of the current Switch, it's of no real benefit

It's not pushed the console forward in any real terms.
For handheld players to have a much better experience?
I think 'much better' is a bit of a stretch here.
 
Screen on the OG Switch ain't so bad that I see the need, or want, in shelling out £300+ for another Switch. Will the new dock be available separately? That seems useful given I dock the Switch a lot these days
 

Marty-McFly

Banned
But looking at it from a purely, 'I've already got both versions' of the current Switch, it's of no real benefit

It's not pushed the console forward in any real terms.

I think 'much better' is a bit of a stretch here.
Saying it's a bit of a stretch that spending your time looking at a screen that blows away the previous screen is like saying it's a stretch to say your tv is much better after upgrading to a much better tv. Meaning it's not a stretch at all.
 
I don't think you watched the video.... He compared it to the Vita OLED screen and it was much nicer, better motion, color and less light pollution.
Well yeah, the screen tech should be better now since 2012. The OLED only costs Nintendo $10 more to implement but charging $50 more. I was saying it was a rip off to charge more for such a small upgrade.
 

Dr.Morris79

Member
Saying it's a bit of a stretch that spending your time looking at a screen that blows away the previous screen is like saying it's a stretch to say your tv is much better after upgrading to a much better tv. Meaning it's not a stretch at all.
This is the third iteration of the Switch and nothing major has changed, one of the changes even took stuff away

Be excited, I guess

AqZpc15.jpg


The money for this would be better placed towards a Steam deck.
 

scydrex

Member
Well yeah, the screen tech should be better now since 2012. The OLED only costs Nintendo $10 more to implement but charging $50 more. I was saying it was a rip off to charge more for such a small upgrade.

Since 2012 it should be better and cheaper yeah. Nintendo said it dosen't make more money than the OG switch but to me they are lying.
 

Deerock71

Member
Since 2012 it should be better and cheaper yeah. Nintendo said it dosen't make more money than the OG switch but to me they are lying.
Well, Nintendo thinks YOU are lying. Either way, we're talking about a MAXIMUM of forty bucks per unit. Whoopty-doo, Basil.
 
Sure. My remark is towards the shit technology we decided to move on with for screens and TVs on a global scale, not specifically for handheld devices.
Crts have issues of their own like geometry, bloom and phosphor trails (speaking of blur) but in general I agree it’s the superior display tech for games at least. I certainly have a few lying around for retro.

But scalers have gotten so good I could easily use those and a flat panel, one reason I haven’t is I don’t want to get burn in from 4:3 use on oled.

I think the answer to the motion problem for sample and hold displays with low fps content is just motion interpolation for games. One day, the processing could possibly do it with 0 artifacts and also keep input lag under 1 frame.

For movies and animation, lg c1 interpolation is nearly artifact free. They just need to add that for games then get the kinks out.
 
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cireza

Banned
Crts have issues of their own like geometry, bloom and phosphor trails
They definitely have other problems or limitations. People tend to think that everything became magically better when moving from CRTs but it is not the case. As always, we had benefits and regressions. Motion blur is a huge problem for gaming indeed, and something on which we made a huge step backwards.
 
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i had an OLED pre ordered but cancelled. i don't know what to do. i need to get a Switch at some point to play BOTW2 but i can't decide between the OLED + Lite.
 

Banjo64

cumsessed
But looking at it from a purely, 'I've already got both versions' of the current Switch, it's of no real benefit

It's not pushed the console forward in any real terms.

I think 'much better' is a bit of a stretch here.
Did you ever use the Vita 1000? Even as an inferior OLED, it made games pop and look visually stunning. I used remote play to platinum the Spyro trilogy and when I’d look up help on YouTube using my phone with an LCD display, it was a night and day difference. Nintendo specialise in that type of vibrant game (similar to Spyro), Mario Kart 8, Mario Odysey, Tropical Freeze etc will absolutely fuck your eye balls on this Switch.
 

cireza

Banned
i had an OLED pre ordered but cancelled. i don't know what to do. i need to get a Switch at some point to play BOTW2 but i can't decide between the OLED + Lite.
Why buy a console now for a game that might be released in more than 2 years, and maybe on another console ?
 
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They need to make a Lite OLED. I think as a handheld Switch is too big and heavy.

This. I was really thinking of getting the Switch OLED because of the Gamestop trade-in deal but I just don't know how much I would use it. I already get sick of using the regular one because the ergonomics are garbage compared to the smaller lite. The lite's screen is not as good as even the normal Switch IMO so that would be a sweet upgrade. I don't think it's going to happen ever though, given the positioning as the 'budget' model (even when it's really a completely different class of product).
 
I'm really digging the new screen. If anything happens to my launch switch I would definitely pick one up over the Lite.

But I'm not sure if it's worth upgrading from the original. I'll need some time to think about this.
 
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Ryu Kaiba

Member
Yep, this has completely sold me on getting one. I was 99.9% sure before, but seeing it in action has sealed the deal. Day one with Metroid Dread.
Watching other first impressions and this also changed my mind, many were thrilled with how improved the screen was. Also they say the build quality is better. This is everything I wanted the switch to be in the first place.
 

Ryu Kaiba

Member
This is the third iteration of the Switch and nothing major has changed, one of the changes even took stuff away

Be excited, I guess



The money for this would be better placed towards a Steam deck.
Valve introducing the Steam Deck actually made this far more viable, as that hunger I had for a more powerful handheld has been satiated. Now the switch will primarily be for Nintendo exclusives and this is a really nice upgrade for those.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
Is it possible that Nintendo was planning to make a Switch Pro but had to downgrade it to a Switch OLED because of the chips shortage?
This has crossed my mind, and is a very plausible reason.

But then again this is Nintendo, they love an incremental upgrade to their handhelds.
 

NinjaBoiX

Member
i had an OLED pre ordered but cancelled. i don't know what to do. i need to get a Switch at some point to play BOTW2 but i can't decide between the OLED + Lite.

They need to make a Lite OLED. I think as a handheld Switch is too big and heavy.
100%

Honestly I was conflicted after hearing how much of a good job they did with this upgraded, not just the screen but the build quality too.

But I traded my OG Switch for the Lite for just this reason, it’s just too big and cumbersome to be really comfortable to play, the Lite fixed this completely for me. And if I want to play games on the TV I have an Xbox and PlayStation for that.

If Nintendo were to release a Lite “Pro” with exactly the same dimensions but with an OLED with small bezels (and maybe some haptic feedback too) I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
 

Marty-McFly

Banned
This is the third iteration of the Switch and nothing major has changed, one of the changes even took stuff away

Be excited, I guess

AqZpc15.jpg


The money for this would be better placed towards a Steam deck.
You're entitled to your purchase but Oled will sell more by 2022 than the Deck does lifetime.

I can see the appeal of Steamdeck but it's just another portable PC. I prefer the instant gratification ease of use of OLED which is a much better looking portable with a superior screen.
 
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KingT731

Member
Vita screen wasn't that high quality. As you can see in the video they point out that the Vita's pixels can't actually turn all the way off and display true black like the Switch's OLED can.
Obviously as technology hasn't remained stagnant we're just shy of a decade since the OG Vita released in Japan.
 
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Mr Branding

Member
You're entitled to your purchase but Oled will sell more by 2022 than the Deck does lifetime.

I can see the appeal of Steamdeck but it's just another portable PC. I prefer the instant gratification ease of use of OLED which is a much better looking portable with a superior screen.
Again with the sales. Good on them, but when I purchase a console, I focus on the library and tech and unfortunately Switch super is outdated and underperforms almost always.
There were so many instances where I hopped on the eshop to buy a game but it’s always the most lacklustre version between consoles, for example Darksiders 3.
I’ll wait for the Deck to play my portable games from now on and give the Switch to my son.
 

Marty-McFly

Banned
Again with the sales. Good on them, but when I purchase a console, I focus on the library and tech and unfortunately Switch super is outdated and underperforms almost always.
There were so many instances where I hopped on the eshop to buy a game but it’s always the most lacklustre version between consoles, for example Darksiders 3.
I’ll wait for the Deck to play my portable games from now on and give the Switch to my son.
Sales are important. It means it will continue to be supported with software optimised for the hardware.

I don't really care about AAA games like Dark Siders 3 and the few I like will play on better hardware than SteamDeck
 

Mr Branding

Member
Sales are important. It means it will continue to be supported with software optimised for the hardware.

I don't really care about AAA games like Dark Siders 3 and the few I like will play on better hardware than SteamDeck
In bed? Not a chance. I'm happy that the Switch library is satisfying to you but to me it's sorely lacking. I grew up with PC games first and foremost and to have a chance to play some of those games + modern ones portably is like a dream come true for me.
I'm sure you don't care, but why buy NG Master Collection, Amalur, Dksiders 3, even frickin' Spirit of the North on Switch when much better looking and performing versions will be available for cheaper on SD?

I feel the OLED is a gimmick, had a Soul Sacrifice OLED vita and it didn't wow me compared to my Slim one, the colors are nicer and brighter, but still a gimmick at the end of the day.
 
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Marty-McFly

Banned
In bed? Not a chance. I'm happy that the Switch library is satisfying to you but to me it's sorely lacking. I grew up with PC games first and foremost and to have a chance to play some of those games + modern ones portably is like a dream come true for me.
I'm sure you don't care, but why buy NG Master Collection, Amalur, Dksiders 3, even frickin' Spirit of the North on Switch when much better looking and performing versions will be available for cheaper on SD?
You'll still just be playing those games on an 800 p LCD screen at the end of the day. I would probably barely notice a difference.

If you're going to go big, go big is my motto.

This is why I have consoles and a gaming rig to compliment my Switch.
 
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Mr Branding

Member
You'll still just be playing those games on an 800 p LCD screen at the end of the day. I would probably barely notice a difference.

If you're going to go big, go big is my motto.

This is why I have consoles and a gaming rig to compliment my Switch.
Me too, but I never get the chance to turn on that big livingroom tv or even stay at my gaming laptop, as my work also implies that so... I took a real liking to handheld gaming. Vita had a sucky library if you're not particularly into jRPG's so I sold'em both, and Switch, while a dope handheld and my favourite at the moment, is really becoming outdated real fast. I can take muddy graphics, hell, I've completed TW3 twice, first time on PS4 and then on Switch but even with my modest expectations, the games I want for Switch have much better versions elsewhere.

I'm also not big on Nintendo first party, but gotta say metroidvania is one of my favourite genres and Dread looks delicious.
 

Pasedo

Member
Been using mine this afternoon/evening. I've particularly been testing it on games that have dark scenes such as Metro Last Light and its so much more enjoyable playing it now as you can now see what's going on. Really elevates the atmosphere for me. I've also been testing it on other triple A ports such a Witcher 3 to test how it feels especially when the resolution drops. I think the extra contrast and popping of colours does make the game appear visibly better.

Curious as well from other Oled Switch owners. Have you found that there is a bit more up/down flex of the Joycons when locked in place in the railing. I checked my V2 switch and the Joycons are definitely more snug with little to no flex up and down.

I suspect it's normal and it's likely just my new purchase OCD kicking in.
 

kingkaiser

Member
Just got mine. First impressions are not so good. Somehow my unit has worse joycon wiggle than the launch Switch I have been using so far.
Data transfer has been also a nightmare. Convoluted as hell and the new Switch demanded to erase all the data I had already put on my new SD card, which I bought extra for the upgrade.
Let's hope a new transfer with my backup data stored on PC will fix the issue, otherwise I will have to download 200 GB agian, each game separately...ugh.
 

Marty-McFly

Banned
Been using mine this afternoon/evening. I've particularly been testing it on games that have dark scenes such as Metro Last Light and its so much more enjoyable playing it now as you can now see what's going on. Really elevates the atmosphere for me. I've also been testing it on other triple A ports such a Witcher 3 to test how it feels especially when the resolution drops. I think the extra contrast and popping of colours does make the game appear visibly better.

Curious as well from other Oled Switch owners. Have you found that there is a bit more up/down flex of the Joycons when locked in place in the railing. I checked my V2 switch and the Joycons are definitely more snug with little to no flex up and down.

I suspect it's normal and it's likely just my new purchase OCD kicking in.
They fixed the track pads on the Joycons.

No more Joycon issues.
 

cireza

Banned
Got mine today. The main consoles definitely feels more premium and the screen is nice.

But the joycons are still in cheap plastic and ruin everything. Also, I already have some waggle on the left one. On this point, it does not feel better then the original Switch in my opinion. It feels exactly the same. You can definitely feel that you are holding two cheap plastic accessories that themselves hold the main console.

Not too sure if I am going to keep it. I will spend some time with it, and decide between keeping my Lite or the OLED.
 
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Panajev2001a

GAF's Pleasant Genius
Got mine today. The main consoles definitely feels more premium and the screen is nice.

But the joycons are still in cheap plastic and ruin everything. Also, I already have some waggle on the left one. On this point, it does not feel better then the original Switch in my opinion. It feels exactly the same. You can definitely feel that you are holding two cheap plastic accessories that themselves hold the main console.

Not too sure if I am going to keep it. I will spend some time with it, and decide between keeping my Lite or the OLED.
Getting it today so I guess I shall see :). Considering the heavier weight (slightly) and the stronger (they say) JoyCon guide rails I would have preferred better materials on the JoyCons.
 

TLZ

Banned
Got mine today. The main consoles definitely feels more premium and the screen is nice.

But the joycons are still in cheap plastic and ruin everything. Also, I already have some waggle on the left one. On this point, it does not feel better then the original Switch in my opinion. It feels exactly the same. You can definitely feel that you are holding two cheap plastic accessories that themselves hold the main console.

Not too sure if I am going to keep it. I will spend some time with it, and decide between keeping my Lite or the OLED.
Thanks for being honest. Unlike others who are exaggerating to high heavens.
 
100%

Honestly I was conflicted after hearing how much of a good job they did with this upgraded, not just the screen but the build quality too.

But I traded my OG Switch for the Lite for just this reason, it’s just too big and cumbersome to be really comfortable to play, the Lite fixed this completely for me. And if I want to play games on the TV I have an Xbox and PlayStation for that.

If Nintendo were to release a Lite “Pro” with exactly the same dimensions but with an OLED with small bezels (and maybe some haptic feedback too) I’d buy it in a heartbeat.
the bezels on the OLED are better but i don't really mind them on the lite.

what i'm hesitant about is the battery life. i don't want to play on tv but the standard switch (or oled) is the one with better battery life and not the portable lite model.

so it seems to make more sense getting the OLED model for handheld gameplay but it's bigger, heavier and more expensive. i agree i wish we would get a revised Lite model. OLED would improve battery life on the Lite.
 
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