Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Switch 1: Is it time to upgrade?

When the Nintendo Switch first launched in March of 2017, it was a breath of fresh air in an industry that had grown increasingly fixated on raw power.

What the Switch offered was versatility - playing on the go or docked on the TV - and that hybrid appeal was a major reason it sold over 139 million units globally.

Now, eight years later, the Nintendo Switch 2 is poised to take the baton. But the question I kept asking myself as I dug deeper into the specs was this: is the Switch 2 truly a generational leap, or is Nintendo simply fine-tuning what already works?

Let’s walk through the facts and features that define each console and see where the Switch 2 truly shines and where it merely polishes an already successful formula.

Design and display

At first glance, the Switch 2 looks like its predecessor, a tablet with detachable controllers and a dock for TV play.

Nintendo hasn’t reinvented the wheel here, and that’s a good thing. The hybrid design is brilliant, letting you seamlessly switch between handheld and console modes. But look closer, and you’ll notice subtle improvements.

Physically, the Switch 2 is slightly larger, measuring 206 x 115 x 14 mm, compared to the original's 173 x 102 x 13.9 mm.

The main physical standout feature of the Switch 2 is the new magnetic Joy-Con system. Gone are the fiddly rails; instead, the Joy-Con 2 controllers snap into place with magnets, making attachment and detachment smoother than ever. It’s a small change, but one that makes a big difference in daily use.

The original Switch launched with a 6.2-inch LCD display running at 720p. While serviceable, it wasn’t exactly cutting-edge, even for 2017. Nintendo partially addressed that with the 2021 Switch OLED model, which bumped the display up to 7 inches and swapped in a stunning OLED panel.

The Switch 2, on the other hand, raises the bar with a 7.9-inch LCD display running at 1080p resolution and, for the first time on a Nintendo handheld, featuring HDR support.

That means more vibrant colors and better contrast, making handheld gaming and watching movies a more immersive experience. In docked mode, the new console can output at 4K with up to 60 frames per second, another major upgrade from the original’s 1080p output.

This jump in visual fidelity alone makes a strong case for a generational leap. It’s clear Nintendo wants to close the gap with competitors, especially as the handheld market grows more crowded with rivals like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally.

Performance 

The Nintendo Switch 2 is a significant leap in performance over the Switch 1, with notable advancements in processing power, graphics capabilities, and modern gaming technologies.

At the heart of this upgrade is a custom Nvidia system-on-chip (SoC) that incorporates the latest generation Arm CPU cores and an Ampere-based GPU.

This is a major departure from the original Switch’s aging Nvidia Tegra X1 chip, which was based on older Maxwell architecture.

The new chip not only allows for faster load times and improved multitasking, but also brings AI-driven upscaling through Nvidia's DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling).

This means the Switch 2 can render games at lower internal resolutions and use AI to upscale them to 4K when docked, offering sharper visuals without overtaxing the hardware.

In contrast, the original Switch topped out at 1080p in docked mode and 720p in handheld mode with no support for any form of advanced upscaling or ray tracing.

From a raw power perspective, the Switch 2 offers a dramatic increase in graphical performance. According to technical details revealed by Nvidia, the Switch 2 can deliver up to 3.9 teraflops (TFLOPs) of GPU performance in docked mode.

This puts it in the same ballpark as the Xbox Series S meaning it is nearly ten times faster than the original Switch. For comparison, the original Nintendo Switch’s GPU was capable of just 0.393 TFLOPs when docked and around 0.157 TFLOPs in handheld mode. This massive gap translates to better support for modern game engines, more complex graphical effects, and an overall smoother and more immersive gaming experience.

The Switch 2 also makes substantial strides in frame rate performance and display fluidity. The original Switch was limited to 60 frames per second at best, with many demanding titles struggling to consistently hit that target.

By contrast, the Switch 2 introduces support for up to 120 frames per second, both in handheld and docked mode, thanks to its upgraded GPU and improved thermal design.

More importantly, the new model incorporates Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) technology, which synchronizes the console’s output with the refresh rate of the display.

This should result in smoother gameplay, reduced screen tearing, and lower input latency, a crucial feature for fast-paced games and competitive titles.

The higher refresh rate and VRR support bring the Switch 2 closer to performance standards seen in modern consoles like the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X.

Beyond raw specs, the Switch 2 also introduces advanced graphical features that were previously out of reach for Nintendo hardware. The addition of real-time ray tracing brings should dramatically improve lighting, shadows, and reflections in supported games, adding a level of visual fidelity never seen on a Nintendo handheld.

Combined with DLSS, these technologies allow developers to push for higher fidelity without compromising performance.

These enhancements not only future-proof the Switch 2 for next-gen titles but also open the door to potential ports of more demanding third-party games.

In comparison, the original Switch’s limitations forced developers to heavily optimize or downgrade visuals to ensure stable performance.

Altogether, the Switch 2 is not just a generational upgrade, it’s a transformation in how portable gaming can deliver high-end visual and performance standards.

The Joy-Con 2

Nintendo’s controllers have always been a mix of innovation and quirkiness, and the Joy-Con 2 is no exception.

At first glance, they look nearly identical to the originals, but the upgrades are significant.

The analog sticks are larger, addressing the dreaded drift issues (though time will tell if they’re truly fixed). But the real surprise is the new optical sensors, which turn the Joy-Con 2 into a makeshift mouse.

Yes, you read that right. Games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Civilization 7 support mouse-like controls, a feature that sounds bizarre but might just turn out to be brilliant.

As a PC gamer, I never thought I’d see the day when Nintendo embraced mouse aiming, but here we are. It’s a niche feature, but one that could redefine how certain games are played on the platform.

Battery Life

The Nintendo Switch 2’s improved performance comes with a noticeable compromise in battery life compared to the Switch 1. While the Switch 2 packs a larger 5,220mAh battery, up from the original Switch’s 4,310mAh, its estimated runtime of 2–6.5 hours falls short of the 2.5–6.5 hours seen in the launch Switch (model XA) and is significantly lower than the 4.5–9 hours offered by the revised Switch (XK) and Switch OLED (XT) models.

According to Nintendo, the Switch 2's battery life will vary drastically depending on the game being played. While Nintendo doesn't explicitly go into specifics about which games it is referring to, lightweight indie titles like Stardew Valley may approach the 6.5-hour upper limit, while demanding AAA games such as Elden Ring or Cyberpunk 2077 could drain the battery in as little as 2 hours. Streaming or video playback typically falls somewhere in the middle, lasting approximately 4–5 hours on a single charge.

The reduced efficiency stems from several key factors. The Switch 2’s 4K/60Hz docked output and 1080p/120Hz handheld display demand more energy. The larger 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen consumes more power than the original Switch’s 6.2-inch 720p panel. Additionally, the custom Nvidia Tegra T239 chipset, reportedly offering 4.5 TFLOPs of performance, delivers far greater graphical capabilities but at the cost of power efficiency.

Storage and backward compatibility

One of the biggest pain points of the original Switch was its paltry 32GB of internal storage.

The Switch 2 addresses this with 256GB built-in, meaning you won’t need to immediately invest in a memory card. But there’s a caveat: with games likely to grow in size due to higher-quality assets, that extra space might fill up faster than you think.

Backward compatibility is another win. The Switch 2 plays nearly all Switch 1 games, and some—like Breath of the Wild and Tears of the Kingdom—will even get enhanced “Switch 2 Edition” upgrades with better graphics and performance.

Plus, Nintendo Switch Online subscribers get access to GameCube games like F-Zero GX and The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker, a feature exclusive to the Switch 2.

Online features

Nintendo has always been behind the curve when it comes to online functionality, but the Switch 2 changes that.

The new GameChat system lets you voice chat with friends without needing a smartphone app, and an optional desktop camera adds video calls.

It’s a small step for other consoles but a giant leap for Nintendo. Features like screen sharing and noise-canceling mics make multiplayer experiences smoother and more immersive.

After years of clunky workarounds, it’s refreshing to see Nintendo finally embrace modern online gaming.

Pricing

The Switch 2 costs $449.99, a significant jump from the original Switch’s $299.99 price tag.

Accessories are pricier too, with the Pro Controller at $80 and Joy-Con 2 sets at $90. Even games are getting more expensive, with Mario Kart World reportedly priced at $80.

The announced pricing already reflects Nintendo’s bet on premium positioning, justified by hardware leaps like 4K/120Hz output, magnetic Joy-Cons, and 256GB storage.

However, the looming U.S. tariffs on electronics imported from China and Vietnam (where Nintendo manufactures hardware) have forced the company to pause pre-orders indefinitely since April 4, 2025, just days before they were slated to begin on April 9.

Nintendo claims the June 5 launch date remains unchanged, but some analysts, like DFC Intelligence, suggest that the Switch 2's launch price of $449.99 already accounts for these additional costs. They anticipate no further price increases, although the absence of future discounts is expected.

Historically, Nintendo has absorbed cost increases to protect margins, as with the Switch OLED’s 2021 launch amid chip shortages. This time, executives admit the $450 price was set without tariff considerations, focusing instead on perceived value.

Yet the tariffs—34% on Chinese imports and 46% on Vietnamese goods—threaten to squeeze already slim hardware profits, especially if production relies heavily on Vietnam, where Nintendo shifted some Switch 1 manufacturing in 2019.

For now, the $449.99 tag stands, but the paused pre-orders signal Nintendo’s caution. The company may reveal contingency plans, such as regional price adjustments or bundled promotions, by its May earnings report.

Until then, the Switch 2’s affordability hangs in the balance, a test of whether Nintendo’s brand loyalty can outweigh the dual pressures of inflation and geopolitics

Should you upgrade?

After weighing all the pros and cons, here’s my take: the Switch 2 is a superior machine in almost every way. It’s faster, more versatile, and packed with features that make gaming more enjoyable.

If you’re still rocking an original Switch and crave better performance or access to new exclusives, the upgrade is a no-brainer.

But if you’re content with your Switch OLED and don’t mind missing out on a few exclusives, you can afford to wait.

The Switch 2 is fantastic, but it’s not a mandatory upgrade, yet. Either way, one thing’s clear: Nintendo’s next-gen console is a triumph, and it’s only going to get better from here.