Comparison of Sizes: Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Original Nintendo Switch vs. Steam Deck
Casual Gaming Deluge:
Brace yourself, gamers! In just a couple of days, the unbelievably hyped up Switch 2 drops, and the gaming landscape as we know it will never be the same again. Almost every analyst predicts the Switch 2 will crush launch day sales records. The Switch 2's release won't just be a massive storm heading for the PS5 and Xbox Series S / X — it's a monstrous tsunami, with Mario Kart World leading the charge. Gizmodo got a sneak peek at the Switch 2 last week. Check out our hardware impressions, thoughts on Mario Kart World, and our first play with GameChat* here. Keep scrolling to find out how the Switch 2 stacks up against the original Switch and the Steam Deck.
Flip through Switch 2 at Walmart
Physical Size
If you're used to the portability of the Switch / Switch OLED, you might be caught off guard when you unbox the Switch 2. It's noticeably larger, but that's no surprise given the display upsize from 6.2 inches and 7 inches to 7.9 inches. The Switch 2 won't fit comfortably in your pockets, but at least it takes up less space in a backpack compared to larger handhelds.
Although the Steam Deck sports a thicker design for internal cooling and larger, sculpted grips, the Switch 2 doesn't have this issue. Its slim 13.9mm profile is retained. To boost performance when in console mode, connected to a TV, you can dock the Switch 2, which comes with an included cooling fan.
- Switch / Switch OLED: 239 x 102 x 13.9mm, 242 x 102 x 13.9mm
- Switch 2: 272 x 116 x 13.9mm
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 298 x 117 x 49mm
Still, I appreciate that the overall footprint is smaller than the Steam Deck's. Despite the Steam Deck's greatness, it's a beast no matter where you use it. Game in bed with a Steam Deck? Ever dropped one on your chest? Believe me, it hurts like a bastard.
Screen Size and Brightness
As I mentioned, the Switch 2's screen size outshines the 6.2-inch display on the original Switch. If you've got a Switch OLED or a Steam Deck OLED, the leap in display size is modest. But for old-school Switch owners like myself, the bigger screen is a welcome change. The panel is 1080p resolution, an upgrade from the Switch/OLED/Lite's 720p. I've poured countless hours into Mario Kart 8 Deluxe on the Switch, and even with limited playtime on Mario Kart World, I could immediately sense the Switch 2's display was more immersive. While blacks aren't as deep as devices with an OLED screen, colors pop thanks to the Switch 2's support for HDR. Simply put, the Switch 2's LCD display is not a letdown compared to an OLED. Don't buy into the fearmongering of YouTube analysts claiming an inferior display. Take it from this tech nerd: when you're focused on surviving in the chaos of a 24-player "Knockout Tour" round in Mario Kart World, you won't obsess over black levels!
- Switch / Switch OLED: 6.2 inches / 7 inches
- Switch 2: 7.9 inches
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 7 inches / 7.4 inches
Thickness and Weight
Thank goodness Nintendo didn't give the Switch 2 a beefy profile. I've dabbled with many handheld PCs like the Steam Deck, Asus ROG Ally X, and Lenovo Legion Go S-they're all chunky monsters far removed from "portable." Not everyone has Hulk hands, so it's essential for device dimensions to remain compact despite being taller and wider. The Switch 2's thinness is a breath of fresh air.
- Switch / Switch OLED: 13.9mm
- Switch 2: 13.9mm
- Steam Deck LCD / Steam Deck OLED: 49mm
Joy-Con 2 Controllers
The larger Joy-Con 2 controllers magnetically adhere to the Switch 2, unlike the sliding mechanism on the original Switch. While it's impossible to confirm their endurance against joystick drift, I can tell you they feel more comfortable during extended gaming sessions due to their increased size. The improved SL and SR buttons are also a significant upgrade, eliminating the mushiness of the original Switch's Joy-Cons.
- See Nintendo Switch 2 at Walmart
The new Joy-Con 2 controllers on the Switch 2 are larger and more comfortable, offering improved SL and SR buttons.* The Switch 2 has a thinner profile despite being slightly taller and wider, making it easier to hold compared to some handheld PCs.* In terms of technology, the Switch 2's screen size and resolution exceed those of the original Switch, providing a more immersive gaming experience, especially for old-school Switch owners.
