Nintendo 3DS XL vs Nintendo DSi XL

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

3DS XL compared with DSi XL
Nintendo3DS XLNintendoDSi XL
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2012November 2009
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
Disc driveNoNo
Storage expansionSD cards up to 2 GB and SDHC cards from 4 to 32 GB; SDHC card included (UK manual; capacity stated on the box)SD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB; miniSD and microSD cards require an adapter (Nintendo UK)
Display and video
Built-in screen4.88″ LCD, 800 × 2404.2″ LCD, 256 × 192
Built-in screenUpper 4.88-inch 3D LCD, 800 × 240 with 400 pixels per eye in 3D; lower 4.18-inch touch LCD, 320 × 240; both display 16.7 million colours. Five brightness levels and power-saving mode (UK manual)Two 4.2-inch transmissive TFT colour LCDs, approximately 260,000 colours each; five brightness levels and a touch screen on the lower display
AudioStereo speakers with pseudo-surround and headphone outputBuilt-in speakers and microphone; stereo headphone output
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6.5 hoursUp to 17 hours
Weight336 g314 g (better)
Battery life detailSPR-003 replaceable 6.5 Wh lithium-ion pack; approximately 3.5–6.5 hours with 3DS software or 6–10 hours with DS software. Runtime depends on brightness, software, wireless use and temperature; cameras may shorten it further. Charge approximately 3.5 hours when offUTL-003 user-replaceable lithium-ion battery pack, 3.9 Wh (Nintendo's Japanese manual). Nintendo rates approximately 13–17 hours at lowest brightness, 11–14 at low, 9–11 at medium, 6–8 at high and 4–5 at highest; software and usage affect runtime. Full charge approximately 3 hours
Power use–Approximately 2.8 W maximum while charging (Nintendo's Japanese manual)
Size156 × 93 × 22 mm when closed (width × height × thickness); 336 g includes battery, stylus and SD card161 × 91.4 × 21.2 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness); approximately 314 g includes battery and stylus
Colours–Dark brown, wine red and natural white at the Japanese launch; other regions and later releases differ
In the box–DSi LL, AC adapter, small stylus, large pen-style stylus, quick start guide and instruction manual (Japanese bundle); the large stylus is 129.3 mm long and the small stylus 96 mm
Connections
PortsGame card and SD card slots, charging cradle contacts, AC adapter connector and stereo audio jackNintendo DS card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector and stereo headphone/microphone connector
Wi-Fi and BluetoothWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; infrared. Amiibo requires the separate NFC Reader/Writer (Nintendo UK); the retained Japanese page's NFC line conflicts with this accessory requirementWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g (DSSS/OFDM), 2.4 GHz; nominal range approximately 10–30 m depending on surroundings (Nintendo's Japanese manual)
ControllerOne Circle Pad, D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start, Select and Home; motion and gyro sensors. One inner and two outer fixed-focus 0.3-megapixel CMOS cameras (Nintendo Japan)Built-in D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start and Select buttons, stylus and touch screen; inner and outer fixed-focus CMOS cameras, approximately 0.3 megapixels each (Nintendo Japan)
Backward compatibilityNintendo 3DS, DS, DSi and DSi-enhanced game cards; 3DS and DSi software must match the system's region (UK manual)Nintendo DS and DSi games and installed DSiWare; no Game Boy Advance games or DS accessories requiring the GBA slot. DSi Shop purchases and free downloads ended on 31 March 2017 (Nintendo UK); launch reviews describe the service before closure

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