Nintendo DS Lite vs Nintendo Game Boy Color

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

DS Lite compared with Game Boy Color
NintendoDS LiteNintendoGame Boy Color
Overview
ReleasedMarch 2006November 1998
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPUARM9 CPU and ARM7 CPUSharp SM83 (8-bit), 4.19 or 8.39 MHz
GPU–Nintendo CPU CGB (built-in picture processing)
Memory–48 KB
Disc driveNoNo
CPU–Sharp SM83 (8-bit) at 4.194304 MHz or 8.388608 MHz in double-speed mode, in the Nintendo CPU CGB (mGBA documentation)
GPU–LCD picture processing in the Nintendo CPU CGB; 40 sprites, up to 10 per line (Nintendo programming manual and mGBA documentation)
Memory detail–32 KB work RAM and 16 KB video RAM; compatible game cartridges can add up to 128 KB RAM (Nintendo programming manual)
Storage detailGames on Nintendo DS cards or Game Boy Advance cartridges; no built-in game storageGame Boy and Game Boy Color Game Paks (cartridges); saves on the cartridge
Storage expansionGame Boy Advance cartridge slot–
Display and video
Built-in screen3″ LCD, 256 × 1922.3″ LCD, 160 × 144
Built-in screenTwo 3-inch backlit TFT LCDs, 256 × 192 each, approximately 260,000 colours; four brightness levels and a resistive touch screen on the lower display (Nintendo Japan)2.3-inch reflective TFT colour LCD, no backlight; 160 × 144; 32,768 colours, up to 56 at once
AudioBuilt-in stereo speakers and microphone; virtual surround in supported games; stereo headphone and microphone connectorMono speaker and stereo headphone jack
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 19 hoursUp to 10 hours
Weight218 g138 g (better)
Battery life detailBuilt-in rechargeable lithium-ion battery; approximately 15–19 hours at lowest brightness, 10–15 at low, 7–11 at high and 5–8 at highest, varying by software; full charge approximately 3 hours (Nintendo Japan)2 × AA batteries, up to 10 hours
Size133 × 73.9 × 21.5 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness)–
ColoursCrystal White, Ice Blue, Enamel Navy, Noble Pink, Jet Black, Gloss Silver, Metallic Rose and Crimson/Black (Nintendo Japan's series page; regional ranges vary)–
Connections
PortsNintendo DS card slot, Game Boy Advance cartridge slot and stereo headphone/microphone connectorGame Link Cable port, infrared port, Game Pak slot, headphone jack, 3 V DC input (Nintendo)
Wi-Fi and BluetoothIEEE 802.11 and Nintendo's own wireless protocol; nominal range 10–30 m depending on surroundings; supported games allow several consoles to share one DS card–
ControllerBuilt-in D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start and Select buttons; touch screen and stylus; built-in microphone with voice recognition in supported gamesBuilt-in D-pad, A, B, Start and Select buttons
Backward compatibilityNintendo DS and Game Boy Advance games; no Game Boy or Game Boy Color cartridges. Game Boy Advance communication functions, link cable, Wireless Adapter, e-Reader+ and GameCube–GBA cable are unsupportedOriginal Game Boy games

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