Nintendo DSi vs Nintendo DSi XL

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

DSi compared with DSi XL
NintendoDSiNintendoDSi XL
Overview
ReleasedNovember 2008November 2009
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPUNintendo custom ARM CPU–
GPUNintendo TWL integrated graphics–
Storage256 MB–
Disc driveNoNo
CPUNintendo's custom ARM CPU and GPU, marked TWL in iFixit's exact DSi teardown; Nintendo's public specification does not identify clock speeds–
GPUIntegrated in the TWL chip (iFixit)–
Storage detail256 MB of Samsung MoviNAND flash memory with an integrated MMC controller (iFixit); downloaded software runs from internal storage, with SD/SDHC cards used for backups rather than direct game launching (Ars Technica)–
Storage expansionSD and SDHC card slotSD and SDHC cards up to 32 GB; miniSD and microSD cards require an adapter (Nintendo UK)
Display and video
Built-in screen3.25″ LCD, 256 × 1924.2″ LCD, 256 × 192
Built-in screenTwo 3.25-inch transmissive TFT colour LCDs, 256 × 192 each, approximately 260,000 colours; five brightness levels and a touch screen on the lower displayTwo 4.2-inch transmissive TFT colour LCDs, approximately 260,000 colours each; five brightness levels and a touch screen on the lower display
AudioBuilt-in speakers and microphone; DSi Sound plays unprotected AAC files with .m4a, .mp4 or .3gp extensions, 16–320 kbps and 32–48 kHz, and stores up to 18 recordings of up to 10 seconds each (Nintendo Japan)Built-in speakers and microphone; stereo headphone output
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 14 hoursUp to 17 hours
Weight214 g (better)314 g
Battery life detailTWL-003 user-replaceable battery pack; 840 mAh in iFixit's tested unit. Nintendo rates approximately 9–14 hours at lowest brightness, 8–12 at low, 6–9 at medium, 4–6 at high and 3–4 at highest; software, temperature, wireless and camera use affect runtime. Full charge approximately 2 hours 30 minutesUTL-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 useApproximately 2.8 W maximum while charging (Nintendo Japan manual)Approximately 2.8 W maximum while charging (Nintendo's Japanese manual)
Size137 × 74.9 × 18.9 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness); approximately 214 g includes battery and stylus161 × 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 boxDSi, AC adapter, two styluses, quick start guide, instruction manuals and support booklet (Nintendo Japan)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
PortsNintendo DS card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector and stereo headphone/microphone connectorNintendo DS card slot, SD card slot, AC adapter connector and stereo headphone/microphone connector
Wi-Fi and BluetoothWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g (DSSS/OFDM), 2.4 GHz, nominal range approximately 10–30 m depending on surroundings (Nintendo's Japanese manual); WPA2 works for supported DSi functions, while older DS games retain their older wireless-security restrictions (Ars Technica)Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g (DSSS/OFDM), 2.4 GHz; nominal range approximately 10–30 m depending on surroundings (Nintendo's Japanese manual)
ControllerBuilt-in D-pad, A/B/X/Y, L/R, Start and Select buttons, stylus and touch screen; two fixed-focus CMOS cameras, approximately 0.3 megapixels each (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 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-era reviews describe the service before closureNintendo 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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