Nintendo Switch V1/V2/OLED versus the Nintendo Switch 2, ROG Xbox Ally or Steam Deck: The Console Upgrade Myth (Part 2)

New hardware dominates the conversation, but older consoles aren’t done yet. From gaming PCs to Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, and Steam Deck, last-generation favorites like the original Nintendo Switch continue to offer compelling reasons to play even alongside the Nintendo Switch 2, Steam Deck, and ROG Xbox Ally.

However, I’m seeing a pronounced appetite for used, lightly used, and like-new gaming devices. The trend mirrors the early pandemic period, when perceived supply constraints fueled a similar rush toward secondary markets. This might be due to the Nintendo Switch 2 being priced at $450-500, price increases on older Switch models, or even fears that tariffs could further increase prices. Or is there something more?

Table 1 sets the tone for a closely examined, detail-oriented discussion about the various Nintendo Switch versions.

Table 1. Nintendo Switch OLED vs Switch V2 vs Switch V1

Consoles	Nintendo Switch OLED	Nintendo Switch V2	Nintendo Switch V1
	Premium Switch OLED	Revised LCD Switch	Original
Cost at Launch (approx)	$350	$300	$300
Launch year	11/8/2021	8/1/2019	3/3/2017
Model Number	HEG-001	HAC-001(-01)	HAC-001
Serial Number (If Visible)		Starts with XKW or XKJ	Starts with XAW.
Battery life	~4.5 - 9 hours	4.5 to 9 hours (significantly increased battery life)	2.5 to 6.5 hours
Screen Size	7-inch OLED	6.2-inch LCD	6.2-inch LCD
TV mode	Handheld and TV modes	Handheld and TV modes	Handheld and TV modes
Screen Resolution	1080p (TV), 720p (handheld)	Same as V1	1080p (TV), 720p (handheld)
Console Dimensions	4.02 x 9.53 x 0.55 inches	Same as V1	4.02 x 9.41 x 0.55 inches
Width- More -->difficult to hold	Approx. 9.53 in (Wider than v2)	Same as V1	Approx. 9.41 in
Weight (with Joy-Cons)	Heavier (approx. 0.93 lbs)	Same as V1	Approx. 0.88 lbs
Flash Storage	64GB	32GB	32GB
Processor	Custom Nvidia Tegra X1 (Similar to V2)	Updated Nvidia Tegra X1 chip (more energy-efficient & patch update)	Original Nvidia Tegra X1 chip (unpatched hardware)
RAM	4GB	4GB	4GB
Manufacturing Process		Newer, more efficient process (16nm vs 20nm)	Older process
Performance		Same as V1 (same internal chipset)	Same as V2
Modding		Requires a modchip for homebrew/modding	Easier to mod (no modchip needed)
Screen	7.0-inch OLED: Perfect blacks but lower peak brightness than LCDs	Same as V1	6.2-inch LCD: High brightness (great for bright rooms or outdoors),
Typical Lifespan (Hours)	LED has lower lifespan than LCD	Same as V1	LCD has longer theoretical lifespan
Degradation	Organic pixels degrade over time, particularly blue ones, which can lead to color imbalance.	Same as V1	Backlight failure or color degradation over a long period.
Burn-in Risk	Static images can cause permanent burn-in. Low likelihood with normal use	Same as V1	Negligible, as individual pixels don't self-illuminate.
Packaging/ Box Art	Red box	Red box	White/gray box
Colors (dock & Joy-Cons)	Black dock and red & blue Joy-Cons, White dock with white Joy-Cons & Splatoon edition		Neon blue and red Joy-Cons, Mario red and blue edition, - Animal Crossing edition

A preliminary verdict?

In 2026, the larger Nintendo Switch 2 does not give much value for the higher price tag. The Nintendo Switch V1 is for users seeking an unpatched model for hardware hacking/modding, while the Nintendo Switch V2 or newer OLED offers better battery life and plenty of slightly used, like-new pieces on the market.

Why a handheld when there’s a world of Xbox and PS consoles out there?

Handheld gaming consoles provide flexibility. Handheld consoles are easy to play anywhere and can fit into a busy adult lifestyle. Nintendo Switch consoles offer a more out-of-the-box experience, while the Steam Deck is geared toward dedicated gamers who want to customize settings for each game.

 Nintendo Switch appeals to adults and kids with family-friendly hits like Mario and Zelda, while also offering mature, intense titles. The balance tilts in favor of the Nintendo Switch if you have a kid.

However, if you mostly play from home and prefer to play it docked, I have a separate comparison for Xbox One S/X versus the Xbox Series S/X and PlayStation.

How about the Nintendo Switch Lite?

The Nintendo Switch Lite is the true-blood handheld. Lighter, smaller, perfect to fit in your pocket.

It’s the same logic with phone screen sizes. While the smaller ones were perfect, I prefer the larger screen size. If that logic resonates with you, then the Nintendo Switch Lite is not a great value proposition.

The Nintendo Switch Lite is intended as a handheld-only model, and its screen size is much smaller. I like having the option to connect to a TV, and I like the screen size to at least match my Iphone. However, if you want a dedicated Handheld-only, here is a quick comparison of the Nintendo Switch Lite.

Table 2. Nintendo Switch Lite vs Switch V1

Consoles	Nintendo Switch V1	Switch Lite
	Original	Handheld-only
Cost at Launch	$300	$200
Launch year	3/3/2017	9/20/2019
Model Number	HAC-001	HDH-001
Serial Number	Starts with XAW
Battery life	2.5 to 6.5 hours	3-7 hours
Screen Size	6.2-inch LCD	5.5-inch LCD screen
TV mode	Handheld & TV modes	Handheld-only

Can you share games between your Switch consoles?

Yes, you can share the physical game cartridges between your Switch consoles or with friends. Your friend can try out the game by borrowing your game cartridge, exactly like sharing a game disc on other consoles.

However, digital games can only be played by logging in to your account. You need an internet connection to play your game on a console with an account other than your primary profile. Some games require a Nintendo online membership.

One thing to be aware of is that your saved game progress is saved on your console, so you will not be able to continue from where you left off on another console.

Playing multiplayer if you have two consoles?

Ideally, you require two copies of the game. You need one physical game cartridge for each console. The second console cannot play the digital game with your account at the same time; it will log one of you out.

However, if you have a digital game, you could make it work when the primary console is offline or in airplane mode, and the secondary console is using the same account to play that game.

Virtual game cards allow you to share digital games across consoles. However, the primary console (the account used to buy the game is set as primary) can access digital games even when offline, while the secondary consoles need to be online to play. Nintendo intends to ensure the secondary console cannot play the game if the primary console is using it.

What is meant by an unpatched Nintendo Switch? Why is the original Nintendo Switch V1 sought after despite having lower battery life compared to the Switch V2?

The original Nintendo Switch processor had a hardware loophole that allowed it to be patched, modded, or run custom software on the Switch console. This was a hardware issue with the chip, and Nintendo is unable to remedy it with a software upgrade. In 2019, Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch V2, which used a different version of the same chip that had plugged this hardware loophole. With no performance increase (a wee bit more efficient), gamers recognized that the upgrade was mainly to curtail users' ability to run custom software on the Switch console that Nintendo had not approved.

This results in the original Nintendo Switch V1 (model sold 2017-2019) being sought after by gamers, as only a limited number of these consoles are still available in good working order.

How does Nintendo Switch 2 compare?

The Nintendo Switch 2 has more processing power, a larger screen, and costs $450 in its base model and $500 when packaged with the Mario game. The Nintendo Switch 2 is not a radically different console; it is more of an incremental upgrade, as Nintendo does not want to jinx the Switch consoles that are still selling well. It has a larger screen size, but its screen is LCD, not OLED.

There are not yet many games explicitly released to take advantage of Nintendo Switch 2’s higher processing power, or the new mouse-like functionality of its Joy-Cons. 

Size-wise, the Nintendo Switch 2 is no longer comparable to the original Nintendo Switch or the Switch OLED. Size-wise, the Nintendo Switch 2 is trying to compete with PC handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and the Steam Deck.

How do Nintendo Switch models compare to PC handhelds like ROG Xbox Ally or Steam Deck?

The Nintendo Switches are designed to be charged and played out of the box. There is no tinkering with graphics or checking compatibility. The games are already fine-tuned and designed for the Nintendo Switch.  

PC handhelds like ROG Xbox Ally or Steam Deck are more powerful, can play any game designed for a PC, and require the user to adjust settings to get the best performance for each game. I feel it is too much effort with little ROI, as I do not do much gaming on the move.

ROG Xbox Allys and Steam Decks look like beasts compared to the Nintendo Switch Lite, which is a pocket-friendly handheld. However, the Nintendo Switch 2 is comparable in size to PC handhelds like the ROG Xbox Ally and the Steam Deck.