Switch Lite vs V1 vs V2 vs OLED vs Switch 2
Five consoles, one name. Screen, battery, TV play and storage side by side, plus which one fits who.
There are five consoles that people call "a Switch", and the differences matter when you buy games, cases and screen protectors. Here is how they compare, using Nintendo's own figures.
The quick comparison
| Model | Screen | Plays on TV | Storage | Battery (Nintendo estimate) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Switch Lite (2019) | 5.5" LCD, 720p | No — handheld only | 32GB | About 3–7 hours |
| Switch V1 (2017) | 6.2" LCD, 720p | Yes, with dock | 32GB | About 2.5–6.5 hours |
| Switch V2 (2019) | 6.2" LCD, 720p | Yes, with dock | 32GB | About 4.5–9 hours |
| Switch OLED (2021) | 7" OLED, 720p | Yes, dock has a LAN port | 64GB | About 4.5–9 hours |
| Switch 2 (2025) | 7.9" LCD, 1080p, up to 120Hz, HDR | Yes, up to 4K with dock | 256GB | About 2–6.5 hours |
Switch Lite: the smallest and cheapest
The Lite is a handheld-only Switch. The controllers are built in, it cannot connect to a TV, and it has no HD Rumble or IR camera. It is light and tough, which makes it popular for kids and for adults who only play in bed or on the commute.
- Check the box of any game for "Handheld mode" before buying. Games that need detached Joy-Con (for example, motion party games) need extra Joy-Con bought separately.
- Lite screen protectors and cases are a different size from every other model.
Switch V1 vs V2: same look, very different battery
The V2 is a 2019 revision of the original Switch with a more efficient chip, which is why its battery estimate jumps to 4.5–9 hours. From the outside they look almost the same, so when buying second-hand, ask for the serial number on the bottom of the console:
- XAW… — original V1 (HAC-001)
- XKW… — battery-improved V2 (HAC-001(-01))
- XTW… — Switch OLED (HEG-001)
If the price is close, always take the V2.
Switch OLED: the best screen for Switch 1 games
The OLED keeps the same chip and resolution as the V2 but adds a larger, more colourful 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, 64GB of storage and a dock with a wired LAN port. It plays exactly the same games as the V1 and V2.
Switch 2: new generation
Switch 2 is a new, much more powerful console with a 7.9-inch 1080p screen, 4K output when docked, 256GB of storage and new magnetic Joy-Con 2 controllers that also work as a mouse. It plays Switch 2 games, and most Switch 1 game cards work in it too.
- Switch 2 game cards do not work on any Switch 1 model.
- For extra storage, Switch 2 needs a microSD Express card. Older microSD cards cannot be used to install games. See our microSD guide.
- Cases, screen protectors and docks for Switch 1 models generally do not fit Switch 2.
Which one should you buy?
| If you… | Get |
|---|---|
| Want the newest games and plan to keep it for years | Switch 2 |
| Mostly play handheld and want Switch 1 games for less | Switch OLED |
| Are buying for a younger child who will only play handheld | Switch Lite |
| Want TV play on the tightest budget | Second-hand V2 (check the XKW serial) |
Whichever you choose, buy the matching screen protector and case on day one — see our accessories list.
Model-specific basics
Tempered glass screen protector 2-pack – Switch 2
9H glass with an alignment frame for bubble-free fitting. Two in the box.
Tempered glass screen protector 2-pack – Switch OLED
Clear 9H glass for the OLED model, with a fitting guide.
Hard shell carrying case – Switch 2
Larger shell made for the 7.9-inch console, with a stand-friendly inner flap.
Hard shell carrying case – Switch / OLED
Zip case with a moulded shell, mesh pocket and slots for game cards.
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