Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Wii U

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

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Switch compared with Wii U

	NintendoSwitch	NintendoWii U
Overview
Released
Released	March 2017	November 2012
Performance
Type
Type	Hybrid	Home console
CPU
CPU	NVIDIA customised Tegra processor	IBM Espresso (PowerPC), 3 cores, 1.24 GHz
GPU
GPU	NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (integrated GPU)	AMD Radeon-based Latte, 550 MHz
Memory
Memory	4 GB (better)	2 GB
Storage
Storage	32 GB	8 GB, 32 GB
Disc drive
Disc drive	No	Yes
CPU
CPU	NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (Tegra X1-based ODNX02-A2 in the 2017 model, according to iFixit)	IBM PowerPC-based tri-core "Espresso" at about 1.24 GHz (Nintendo; fail0verflow Cafe OS log)
GPU
GPU	–	AMD Radeon-based "Latte" at about 550 MHz (Nintendo; fail0verflow Cafe OS log)
Memory detail
Memory detail	4 GB LPDDR4 in two 2 GB Samsung chips in the 2017 model (iFixit; not published by Nintendo)	2 GB DDR3L, identified from four Micron memory chips (iFixit)
Storage detail
Storage detail	32 GB; about 6.2 GB is reserved for the system	8 GB (Basic) or 32 GB (Premium) internal flash; Wii U and Wii optical discs
Storage expansion
Storage expansion	microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards	SD cards up to 2 GB, SDHC cards up to 32 GB; USB storage up to 2 TB (Nintendo)
Display and video
Maximum output
Maximum output	1080p up to 60 fps	1080p
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	6.2″ LCD, 1280 × 720	–
Built-in screen
Built-in screen	Capacitive touch screen; 6.2-inch LCD; 1280 × 720; brightness sensor. Nintendo doesn't publish the refresh rate	No screen on the console; the Wii U GamePad has a 6.2-inch touch screen, 854 × 480 (Nintendo)
Video output
Video output	HDMI through the dock in TV mode; up to 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps; 1280 × 720 in handheld and tabletop modes	HDMI up to 1080p; AV Multi out with composite, RGB SCART or component cable (Nintendo)
Audio
Audio	Stereo speakers; linear PCM 5.1ch over HDMI in TV mode; 3.5 mm headset jack	Six-channel linear PCM over HDMI; analogue audio through AV Multi out (Nintendo)
Design and power
Battery life (maker's claim)
Battery life (maker's claim)	Up to 9 hours	–
Weight
Weight	398 g (better)	1,600 g
Battery life detail
Battery life detail	4310 mAh. About 4.5 to 9 hours for consoles with serial numbers starting "XK" (sold from August 2019), or 2.5 to 6.5 hours for "XA" consoles (2017 model); about 5.5 hours in The Legend of Zelda - Breath of the Wild on the current model; charges in about 3.5 hours. Console alone weighs about 297 g	Wii U GamePad battery lasts about 3–5 hours and charges in about 2.5 hours (Nintendo UK manual)
Power use
Power use	TV mode 7 W while gaming; handheld 4 W while gaming	31.5 W during gameplay in Nintendo's 2016 test
Colours
Colours	Neon Blue/Neon Red Joy-Con (UK store)	–
Connections
Ports
Ports	USB-C on the console (charging and dock); wired LAN in TV mode needs a separate LAN adapter	4 × USB 2.0, HDMI, AV Multi out, SD card slot, sensor bar port (Nintendo)
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
Wi-Fi and Bluetooth	Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.1	Wi-Fi IEEE 802.11b/g/n (Nintendo)
Controller
Controller	Detachable Joy-Con (L) and (R)	Wii U GamePad with touch screen, two analogue sticks, motion sensors, NFC and approximately 0.3-megapixel camera; works with Wii Remotes and the Wii U Pro Controller
Backward compatibility
Backward compatibility	Nintendo Switch game cards only	Wii games and accessories