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Nintendo announces a new OLED model of Switch, but it's NOT the rumored "Switch pro"

Last posted Jul 12, 2021 at 09:46PM EDT. Added Jul 06, 2021 at 07:27PM EDT
9 posts from 9 users

So for quite a while now a popular rumor has been one saying that Nintendo's planning a new model of Switch, but the rumors kept pointing to this new model being similar to something like the New 3DS, PS4 Pro, or Xbox One X, a "mid generation refresh" that would feature slightly improved specs but not enough to be considered a "next gen" machine. One part of this rumor stated that Nintendo would be using an OLED display on the "new Switch," something that actually was present on the ill-fated PlayStation Vita, though only the first generation Vita models (Sony switch to regular LED when it became clear the Vita wasn't selling enough to make back the manufacturing costs to justify an at-the-time pricey OLED display).

As of July 6, 2021, at least one part of the rumor was proven true. Nintendo is indeed releasing a new model of Switch which uses an OLED display, however it needs to be noted that this is NOT a new version of the system with improved specs, heck Nintendo's official name for the model is just "Nintendo Switch (OLED Version)" (safe to say a "mid generation refresh" model of Switch would use a slightly altered name like "Super Nintendo Switch" or even "New Nintendo Switch"). The main differences between this and the regular model in addition to the OLED display (which is slightly bigger than the current Switch's LED display) are that is has a wider kickstand for tabletop play, improved audio in handheld mode, 64GB of internal storage, and the dock for this model has a built in LAN port rather than requiring an add-on (though it looks like the dock with LAN built in will also be sold by itself for anyone who only wants the upgraded dock).

And yeah Nintendo was quick to note that no the OLED model does not feature any changes to the RAM, processor, etc, it's still only going to display up to 1080p when docked and won't have any performance enhancements for currently available games. They're planning to launch it on October 8 to coincide with Metroid Dread, and it's only $50 more expensive than the current Switch model ($350 as opposed to $300).

On one hand if you're either someone who doesn't own a Switch yet, or you're someone who almost always plays Switch in handheld mode this new model sounds worth it since you'll be getting a better looking display and a few extra goodies to boot, but if you already own a current model Switch then it's probably not worth it if you're someone who sticks mostly to docked play as you're not gonna see any real benefits.

So this is basically the "Nintendo Switch XL", the same kind of thing that the 3DS got with its XL models?

Still, I think an actual "Switch Pro" (or "New Nintendo Switch", or whatever Nintendo wants to call it) might still be happening down the like, especially with more and more newer games either releasing as "Cloud Versions" (A Plague Tale, Guardians of the Galaxy) or just not at all (The King of Fighters XV just revealed its launch platforms, with Switch being mentioned nowhere).

$50 more expensive? It should be at least $20 more expensive. At least it's not much of a robbery like PS5 with disc compatibility which cost $700 on the launch while the normal one cost $600.
Still, I hope Switch Pro comes one day which can play the games with half of the power of RTX 3090.

The 4k rumors were entirely baseless speculation on behalf of scant knowledge through leakers. People hear that and suddenly they think the next Switch model is somehow going to have the stats of a PS5 and still be in the same generation somehow. I'm excited for the new Switch model but I continually roll my eyes at people who think a Switch Pro exists in any fashion.

As someone who already owns a Switch I don't even bloody want a "Switch Pro" or whatever, I just want Nintendo to actually get off their collective asses and bother to fix the joycon drift issue

Honestly is a "Pro" model even necessary aside from sating the 4Koomers obsessed with graphical fidelity

That said I at least appreciate the revision model having a kickstand that hopefully isn't terrible

Last edited Jul 07, 2021 at 11:31AM EDT

Talkie Toaster wrote:

As someone who already owns a Switch I don't even bloody want a "Switch Pro" or whatever, I just want Nintendo to actually get off their collective asses and bother to fix the joycon drift issue

Honestly is a "Pro" model even necessary aside from sating the 4Koomers obsessed with graphical fidelity

That said I at least appreciate the revision model having a kickstand that hopefully isn't terrible

It's necessary to keep getting multiplats. I don't think it would be able to have the same level of graphical fidelity as the PS5 and XSX but something like DLSS and a modest performance boost would allow it to at least run the games at 480p if it has to and upscale to whatever your TV is running at, while at least looking passable.

Basically, without a pro upgrade, it's probably going to be a mix of Wii style shovelware and the odd Square Enix RPG or indie like the DS/3DS had that fills out the console's third party library.

The OLED screen is nice I'd only buy the OLED model if I ever have to replace my Switch Lite that's doing fine for me right now.

Important: OLED screens can experience image retention if a screen is left static for long periods of time so make sure the screen is off when not in use.

Last edited Jul 12, 2021 at 09:48PM EDT
Skeletor-sm

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