Nintendo Switch OLED Model Review: The Best Way to Play

Why the Nintendo Switch OLED is Our Top Pick

The Nintendo Switch OLED Model isn’t the rumored “Switch Pro” with 4K graphics, but it is undoubtedly the best version of the Switch currently available. If you play in handheld mode frequently, the screen upgrade is absolutely transformative.

The OLED Display

The star of the show is the new 7-inch OLED screen. Compared to the LCD panel on the standard Switch, the OLED provides perfect, inky blacks and incredibly vibrant colors. Games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom and Mario Kart 8 Deluxe look entirely different—richer, brighter, and more immersive. The bezels are also thinner, giving it a much more modern look.

Design and Kickstand Upgrades

Nintendo fixed the original model’s biggest physical flaw: the flimsy kickstand. The OLED model features a wide, sturdy, adjustable kickstand that spans the entire back of the console. It supports multiple viewing angles, making tabletop gaming actually enjoyable and viable.

Audio and Storage

The onboard speakers have been upgraded, providing louder, clearer sound that enhances handheld and tabletop play. Additionally, the internal storage has been doubled to 64GB, giving you more room for digital games out of the box (though you’ll still likely want a microSD card).

The New Dock

The included dock has softer edges, looks sleeker, and most importantly, includes a built-in wired LAN port. For players of competitive games like Super Smash Bros. Ultimate or Splatoon 3, a stable ethernet connection is a massive upgrade over Wi-Fi.

Who Should Buy the Switch OLED?

✅ First-time Switch buyers (spend the extra $50, it’s worth it)
✅ Handheld and tabletop players who will benefit from the screen and stand
✅ Competitive gamers who want the LAN port

❌ Skip if you exclusively play docked to a TV (the screen upgrade won’t matter to you)

Verdict

The Nintendo Switch OLED is a premium refinement of a revolutionary console. If you are buying a Switch today, or if you play handheld a majority of the time, the OLED screen makes it a must-buy.