Switch vs Switch Lite – Which One Is Better?

The release of the initial Switch really shook up the gaming market. After handheld consoles hadn’t been doing well for some time, the Switch revived the market. It achieved record sales, and Nintendo started releasing game after game, including lots of popular third-party titles… and pretty soon, other versions of the Switch were on the horizon. The first one of them was the Switch Lite. Available for a lot less, it was significantly different from the original one. We’ve decided to make a side-by-side comparison so you can decide which one of them you’d like to get!

The basics

The original Switch was initially released in March of 2017. The Switch Lite came out a little over two years later, in September 2019. Since then, a third model has been released – the Switch OLED. We had a look at the OLED.

The original model was released as a hybrid console with a starting price of $299.99. The Lite was released as a purely handheld model for $199.99. Both of them are considered part of the eighth generation of consoles – along with the PS4, Wii U, and the Xbox One.

The Similarities

From a technical standpoint, both devices are fairly similar. They both use an Nvidia Tegra X1 processor and have the same 1280×720 screen resolution – though the screen size is different. Both devices have 32GB base storage and can be expanded with microSD cards for extra storage. They share a large part of their game library, though not all of it.

The Differences

Game Library

Outside of those few aspects, the two devices are quite different. Even the way they work are distinct – while one of the main advantages of the initial Switch was that it could function as a hybrid, both in TV mode and in handheld mode, the Lite is limited to handheld mode only – and this also limits what games it can run.

Games that can be played in handheld mode are available on the Switch Lite. In contrast, those who need TV or tabletop modes aren’t compatible. There is a work-around – if you separately purchase JoyCon controllers and connect them wirelessly, you can play some additional games that way. However, the Lite is somewhat limited in what you can play out of the box. This doesn’t affect native Nintendo games; however, not all 3^rd party releases support handheld mode.

In the Switch store, there is an indicator to show which games are capable of what modes, and therefore also which Switch models they are compatible with.

Physical Dimensions

Unsurprisingly, the original device is both heavier and bigger. ‘Lite’ is more than just a name – the newer model weighs 277g compared to the 319g the original weighs when the JoyCons are attached to it.

The original measures 23.8cm x 10.2cm x 1.4cm, while the Lite is 20.8cm x 9.1cm x 1.4cm. The lower weight also reflects in smaller overall dimensions – and the screen is a little smaller too, though with the same resolution. The original Switch has a 6.2 inch LCD touch screen, the Lite has a 5.5inch one.

Battery Performance

While at a glance, it might seem like the larger of the two models also has the better battery capacity, that is not the case. Since it wasn’t fully optimated for handheld usage, the original Switch and its 4310mAh battery last for about 3-5 hours, while the Lite can last anywhere from 3-7 with a 3570mAh battery.

It’s worth noting that the original model has had a battery overhaul – in 2019, a newer version was released that drastically improved battery life by as much as 3 hours per charge. If you consider buying a used Switch, be sure to check the manufacturing/purchasing date!

Appearance

The original Switch and its distinct color scheme met with great success – the black device with its red and blue JoyCons was quite popular – and very quickly, Nintendo released replacement JoyCons in different colors. Users could either buy them in sets (for example, orange and purple) or create their favorite color combinations individually. A few special editions have been released, such as a Splatoon 2 themed one, an Animal Crossing edition, and a few more however those can be quite hard to come by now.

The Switch Lite was available in multiple colors from launch, with more being released later. Since there are no removable JoyCons, the whole device is in one single color – the main options are yellow, turquoise, grey, coral, and blue. Special editions have also come out here – most notably, two Pokémon-themed ones – one Zacian & Zamazenta edition and one Dialga & Palkia edition. Generally, these are a little less rare than the special editions for the original model. However, you might still struggle to get your hands on your preferred version now.

Pros and cons

Whether you go for the original Switch or the Lite, you’re sure to receive a fantastic handheld console, that’s for sure. However, knowing that probably won’t help you reach a decision more easily. So, we made a quick list of pros and cons for both devices.

Switch Pros & Cons

Switch Lite Pros & Cons

Let us know which Switch you end up getting – and what ended up driving your decision!