Nintendo 2DS vs Nintendo New 3DS

Every spec side by side, from each maker's published figures.

Better figure, where one is clearly better

2DS compared with New 3DS
Nintendo2DSNintendoNew 3DS
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2013October 2014
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
Disc driveNoNo
Storage detailA removable 4 GB SDHC card is included in the European launch bundle; Nintendo's public specifications do not state the internal storage capacityA removable microSDHC card is included; the Japanese standard bundle includes 4 GB, while the UK manual says to check the box for its capacity. Nintendo's public specification does not state the internal capacity
Storage expansionSD cards up to 2 GB and SDHC cards from 4–32 GB; miniSD and microSD require an adapter (Nintendo's Australian manual)microSD card slot beneath the rear cover plate
Display and video
Built-in screen3.53″ LCD, 400 × 2403.88″ LCD, 800 × 240
Built-in screenUpper 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 2DUpper 3.88-inch glasses-free 3D LCD, 800 × 240 (400 pixels per eye in 3D), with face-tracking Super-Stable 3D; lower 3.33-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240. Both display approximately 16.7 million colours; automatic brightness adjustment
AudioMono speaker, built-in microphone and stereo headphone outputStereo speakers with pseudo-surround support, built-in microphone and stereo headphone output
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 9 hoursUp to 10.5 hours
Weight260 g253 g (better)
Battery life detailReplaceable 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 hoursReplaceable KTR-003 lithium-ion battery, 5.2 Wh. Nintendo rates approximately 3.5–6 hours with 3DS software and 6.5–10.5 hours with DS software; runtime depends on brightness, wireless activity, software and temperature. Full charge approximately 3.5 hours
Power useApproximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo's Australian manual)Approximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual)
Size144 × 127 × 20.3 mm (width × height × thickness); approximately 260 g includes battery, stylus and SD card142 × 80.6 × 21.6 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness); approximately 253 g includes battery, stylus and microSD card
ColoursBlack + blue and white + red at the European launch; later colours and regional bundles differBlack and white at the Japanese and European launches; interchangeable cover plates sold separately
In the box2DS, 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 cardNew 3DS, stylus, microSDHC card, six AR cards, front and back cover plates, quick start guide and operations manual (UK); Nintendo 3DS AC adapter sold separately
Connections
PortsGame card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cmGame card slot, microSD card slot, charging-cradle connectors, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cm
Wi-Fi and BluetoothWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; recommended communication distance within 30 m. Local wireless and StreetPass are distinct from the discontinued internet servicesWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; NFC at 13.56 MHz; recommended wireless communication distance within 30 m (Nintendo UK manual)
ControllerCircle 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) eachCircle 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; KTR-004 stylus approximately 76.5 mm long
Backward compatibilityNintendo 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, DS and DSi game cards, including New Nintendo 3DS-exclusive games; built-in NFC supports amiibo. 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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