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Nintendo 3DS XL vs Nintendo New 3DS

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

Nintendo3DS XLNintendoNew 3DS
Overview
ReleasedJuly 2012October 2014
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
Disc driveNoNo
Storage detail–A 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 to 32 GB; SDHC card included (UK manual; capacity stated on the box)microSD card slot beneath the rear cover plate
Display and video
Built-in screen4.88″ LCD, 800 × 2403.88″ LCD, 800 × 240
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)Upper 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
AudioStereo speakers with pseudo-surround and headphone outputStereo speakers with pseudo-surround support, built-in microphone and stereo headphone output
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 6.5 hoursUp to 10.5 hours
Weight336 g253 g
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 offReplaceable 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 use–Approximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual)
Size156 × 93 × 22 mm when closed (width × height × thickness); 336 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
Colours–Black and white at the Japanese and European launches; interchangeable cover plates sold separately
In the box–New 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 and SD card slots, charging cradle contacts, AC adapter connector and stereo audio jackGame 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; 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, 2.4 GHz; NFC at 13.56 MHz; recommended wireless communication distance within 30 m (Nintendo UK 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)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; KTR-004 stylus approximately 76.5 mm long
Backward compatibilityNintendo 3DS, DS, DSi and DSi-enhanced game cards; 3DS and DSi software must match the system's region (UK manual)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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