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Nintendo New 3DS vs Nintendo Switch Lite

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

Better figure, where one is clearly better

NintendoNew 3DSNintendoSwitch Lite
Overview
ReleasedOctober 2014September 2019
Performance
TypeHandheldHandheld
CPU–NVIDIA customised Tegra processor
GPU–NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (integrated GPU)
Memory–4 GB
Storage–32 GB
Disc driveNoNo
CPU–NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (Tegra X1-based ODNX10-A1, according to iFixit)
Memory detail–4 GB LPDDR4X in two 16 Gb Samsung chips (iFixit; not published by Nintendo)
Storage detailA 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 capacity32 GB; about 6.2 GB is reserved for the system
Storage expansionmicroSD card slot beneath the rear cover platemicroSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards
Display and video
Built-in screen3.88″ LCD, 800 × 2405.5″ LCD, 1280 × 720
Built-in screenUpper 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 adjustmentCapacitive touch screen; 5.5-inch LCD; 1280 × 720. Nintendo doesn't publish the refresh rate
Video output–None
AudioStereo speakers with pseudo-surround support, built-in microphone and stereo headphone outputStereo speakers; 3.5 mm headset jack
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)Up to 10.5 hoursUp to 7 hours
Weight253 g275 g
Battery life detailReplaceable 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 hoursAbout 3 to 7 hours (Nintendo support); the product page says more than six hours depending on the game (roughly four hours in The Legend of Zelda - Breath of the Wild); 3570 mAh; charges in about 3 hours
Power useApproximately 4.1 W maximum while charging (Nintendo UK manual)4 W while gaming
Size142 × 80.6 × 21.6 mm when folded (width × depth × thickness); approximately 253 g includes battery, stylus and microSD card–
ColoursBlack and white at the Japanese and European launches; interchangeable cover plates sold separatelyBlue, Coral, Yellow, Grey
In the boxNew 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, microSD card slot, charging-cradle connectors, AC adapter connector and headphone connector; infrared transceiver with recommended distance within 20 cmUSB-C (charging only)
Wi-Fi and BluetoothWi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g, 2.4 GHz; NFC at 13.56 MHz; recommended wireless communication distance within 30 m (Nintendo UK manual)Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.1, NFC
ControllerCircle 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 longBuilt-in controls with a +Control Pad; Joy-Con can be paired separately
Backward compatibilityNintendo 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)Nintendo Switch game cards only; games must support handheld mode

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