Nintendo · Switch
Switch
Nintendo's original hybrid console, played handheld on a 6.2-inch 720p screen or docked on a TV at up to 1080p, for players who want the Switch library at the lowest price of the docking models.
Model history · 5 models, 1997–2017
- Type
- Hybrid
- Output
- 1080p
- Memory
- 4 GB
- Storage
- 32 GB
- Weight
- 398 g
What reviewers say
Reviewers agree the hybrid design works, moving smoothly between TV and handheld play, with a bright screen, clever Joy-Con controllers and HD Rumble. The common criticisms are graphics well behind rival home consoles and short battery life on the launch model; TechRadar disliked the split D-pad, and Engadget worried about the screen outdoors and early online features.
From techradar.com, tomsguide.com and engadget.com
Specifications
Report a wrong or missing specPerformance
- Type
- Hybrid
- CPU
- NVIDIA customised Tegra processor
- GPU
- NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (integrated GPU)
- Memory
- 4 GB
- Storage
- 32 GB
- Disc drive
- No
- CPU
- NVIDIA customised Tegra processor (Tegra X1-based ODNX02-A2 in the 2017 model, according to iFixit)
- Memory detail
- 4 GB LPDDR4 in two 2 GB Samsung chips in the 2017 model (iFixit; not published by Nintendo)
- Storage detail
- 32 GB; about 6.2 GB is reserved for the system
- Storage expansion
- microSD, microSDHC and microSDXC cards
Display and video
- Maximum output
- 1080p up to 60 fps
- Built-in screen
- 6.2″ LCD, 1280 × 720
- Built-in screen
- Capacitive touch screen; 6.2-inch LCD; 1280 × 720; brightness sensor. Nintendo doesn't publish the refresh rate
- Video output
- HDMI through the dock in TV mode; up to 1920 × 1080 at 60 fps; 1280 × 720 in handheld and tabletop modes
- Audio
- Stereo speakers; linear PCM 5.1ch over HDMI in TV mode; 3.5 mm headset jack
Design and power
- Battery life (maker's claim)
- Up to 9 hours
- Weight
- 398 g
- 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
- Power use
- TV mode 7 W while gaming; handheld 4 W while gaming
- Colours
- Neon Blue/Neon Red Joy-Con (UK store)
Connections
- Ports
- USB-C on the console (charging and dock); wired LAN in TV mode needs a separate LAN adapter
- Wi-Fi and Bluetooth
- Wi-Fi 5 (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac), Bluetooth 4.1
- Controller
- Detachable Joy-Con (L) and (R)
- Backward compatibility
- Nintendo Switch game cards only
Pros and cons
Pros
- Plays handheld, on a tabletop or docked on a TV
- Detachable Joy-Con controllers for two players out of the box
- Consoles sold since August 2019 last about 4.5 to 9 hours per charge
Cons
- 6.2-inch 720p LCD, smaller than the OLED Model's 7-inch OLED
- TV output tops out at 1080p and 60 fps
- 32 GB of storage, about 6.2 GB of it reserved for the system
Closest rivals
Model | Type | Output | Memory | Storage | Weight | Released |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hybrid | 1080p | 4 GB | 64 GB | 420 g | Oct 2021 | |
| Home console | 4K | 12 GB | 1 TB | 3,810 g | Nov 2017 | |
| Home console | 4K | 8 GB | 500 GB – 2 TB | 2,900 g | Aug 2016 |
Previous model: Wii U. Newer model: Switch 2.
Sources
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Hardware/Nintendo-Switch-Family/Nintendo-Switch/Nintendo-Swi…
- nintendo.com/en-gb/Support/Nintendo-Switch/How-Long-Does-the-Battery-Charge-Las…
- store.nintendo.com/en-gb/nintendo-switch-with-neon-blue-neon-red-joy-con-contro…
- ifixit.com/Teardown/Nintendo+Switch+Teardown/78263
Photo: assets.nintendo.eu