Updated 26 Oct 2026
Is the Nintendo Switch OLED Model worth it?
Only if you want the cheaper Switch and its games.
Its 7-inch OLED screen is bright and colourful, the kickstand is much better than the original's, it has 64GB of storage and its dock adds a wired internet port. Inside it's the same as the 2017 Switch: games run at 720p handheld and 1080p on the TV, and the Joy-Con are the same ones known for drift. The Switch 2 costs about $100 more and is much faster, with a bigger, sharper screen.
96%of 2,004 owners give it 4 or 5 stars
- Bright 7-inch OLED screen
- Plays on the TV or handheld
- A huge library of Switch games
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What owners say
Owners love the bigger, brighter screen and playing on the TV or on the go, and it's a popular present. The main complaint is Joy-Con that wobble, drift or stop working.
Good to know
- Same chip as the 2017 Switch: 720p handheld and 1080p on the TV.
- The Joy-Con can drift, wobble or stop working.
- Handheld battery lasts about five hours in demanding games.
- The Switch 2 costs only about $100 more.
From 2,004 buyer ratings at Currys and Target (US), every complaint read by us, October 2026. How we do this
What they love
- A hit as a presentMentioned a lot
- Bigger, brighter screenMentioned often
- Easy to set up and useMentioned often
- Play on the TV or on the goMentioned often
- Fun for the whole familyAlso mentioned
- Good graphicsAlso mentioned
What they complain about
- Joy-Con wobble, drift or stopped workingVery rare
Get it if…
- It's for a young child who'll play the existing Switch games.
- You mostly play handheld and want the best Switch screen.
Skip it if…
- You can stretch to the Switch 2: it's much faster.
- You want the newest Nintendo games.
More on the Switch OLED
How we reached this verdict
Tom's Guide calls its OLED screen gorgeous and praises the better kickstand and 64GB of storage, but notes it's still 720p handheld with no 4K and lasted about five hours of Metroid on battery. Expert Reviews finds no internal upgrades and the same drift-prone Joy-Con. Currys and Target owners love the bigger, brighter screen; the main complaint is faulty Joy-Con. With the Switch 2 at $499.99 since September 2026, the OLED is only worth it for less.
We compared independent expert reviews with the manufacturer's specifications, then checked it's sold at a major retailer where you live. We don't test products ourselves.
Sources: Tom's Guide, Expert Reviews, Nintendo (specs), TechRadar, Push Square (PS5 Pro reviews), manufacturer specifications.
Updated 26 Oct 2026How we decide