Nintendo 2DS vs Nintendo New 2DS XL
Better figure, where one is clearly better
| Nintendo2DS | NintendoNew 2DS XL | |
|---|---|---|
| Overview | ||
| Released | October 2013 | June 2017 |
| Performance | ||
| Type | Handheld | Handheld |
| Memory | – | 256 MB |
| Disc drive | No | No |
| Memory detail | – | 256 MB RAM (Nintendo Life's exact New 2DS XL review); Nintendo's public specification does not identify the memory capacity |
| Storage detail | A removable 4 GB SDHC card is included in the European launch bundle; Nintendo's public specifications do not state the internal storage capacity | UK standard bundle includes a removable 4 GB microSDHC card; Nintendo's public specifications do not state the internal capacity |
| Storage expansion | SD cards up to 2 GB and SDHC cards from 4–32 GB; miniSD and microSD require an adapter (Nintendo's Australian manual) | microSD cards up to 2 GB and microSDHC cards from 4–32 GB; card slot under a flap beside the game card slot, without removing the rear cover (Nintendo UK manual) |
| Display and video | ||
| Built-in screen | 3.53″ LCD, 400 × 240 | 4.88″ LCD, 400 × 240 |
| Built-in screen | Upper 3.53-inch LCD, 400 × 240; lower 3.02-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240; both display approximately 16.7 million colours. All games display in 2D | Upper 4.88-inch LCD, 400 × 240; lower 4.18-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240; approximately 16.7 million colours each. All visuals display in 2D; no automatic brightness adjustment (Nintendo Japan support) |
| Audio | Mono speaker, built-in microphone and stereo headphone output | Stereo speakers with pseudo-surround support beneath the lower screen, built-in microphone and stereo headphone output |
| Design and power | ||
| Battery life (maker's claim) | Up to 9 hours | Up to 9 hours |
| Weight | 260 g | 260 g |
| Battery life detail | Replaceable CTR-003 lithium-ion battery, 5 Wh. Nintendo's Australian manual rates approximately 3.5–5.5 hours for 3DS games and 5–9 hours for DS games; the Japanese page gives 3.5–5 hours for 3DS games. Runtime depends on brightness, software, wireless use and temperature. Full charge approximately 3.5 hours | Built-in lithium-ion battery, 5 Wh; Nintendo says replacement must be performed by a qualified professional. Approximately 3.5–6.5 hours with 3DS games or 5–9 hours with DS games, depending on brightness, software, wireless activity and temperature; full charge approximately 3.5 hours |
| Power use | Approximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo's Australian manual) | Approximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual) |
| Size | 144 × 127 × 20.3 mm (width × height × thickness); approximately 260 g includes battery, stylus and SD card | UK manual gives 159 × 86.4 × 20.8 mm folded (width × depth × thickness); Japanese page gives 159.36 × 86.36 × 20.8 mm. Approximately 260 g including battery, stylus and microSD card |
| Colours | Black + blue and white + red at the European launch; later colours and regional bundles differ | Black + Turquoise and White + Orange at the European launch; later regional colours and bundles differ |
| In the box | 2DS, stylus, AC adapter, SDHC card, six AR cards, quick start guide and operations manual (Nintendo's Australian launch manual); the European launch includes a 4 GB card | New 2DS XL, stylus, 4 GB microSDHC card, six AR cards, operations manual and AC adapter (UK); Japanese standard bundle has no AC adapter |
| Connections | ||
| Ports | Game card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cm | Game card slot, microSD card slot, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cm |
| Wi-Fi and Bluetooth | Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; recommended communication distance within 30 m. Local wireless and StreetPass are distinct from the discontinued internet services | Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; NFC at 13.56 MHz; recommended wireless communication distance within 30 m |
| Controller | Circle Pad, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start/Select, HOME, touch screen and approximately 98 mm stylus; sleep switch, motion sensor and gyro sensor. One inner and two outer fixed-focus CMOS cameras, 640 × 480 (0.3 megapixels) each | Circle Pad, C Stick, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, ZL/ZR, Start/Select, HOME and touch screen; motion and gyro sensors. One inner and two outer fixed-focus CMOS cameras, 640 × 480 (0.3 megapixels) each; JAN-004 stylus approximately 69 mm long |
| Backward compatibility | Nintendo 3DS games in 2D and DS/DSi games; New Nintendo 3DS-exclusive software is not supported. No Game Boy Advance slot or accessories that require it. amiibo requires the separate Nintendo 3DS NFC Reader/Writer. eShop purchases and new free downloads ended on 27 March 2023; most internet services ended on 8 April 2024, while redownloads and updates remain available (Nintendo) | Nintendo 3DS and New Nintendo 3DS games in 2D, plus DS/DSi game cards; games from other regions and DS accessories requiring the GBA slot are not supported. eShop purchases and new free downloads ended on 27 March 2023; most internet services ended on 8 April 2024, while redownloads and updates remain available (Nintendo) |
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