The Differences Between the Original Nintendo Switch and the New OLED Model Explained
Understanding the Speculation Around the Switch OLED Screen
With the announcement of the new Switch OLED model, many wondered if Nintendo would upgrade the screen technology. There was significant discussion online around rumors that the Switch OLED might use a Pentile OLED display. Given Nintendo’s history of not always using the highest quality screens, some expressed concerns about image quality. It was imperative that the true display technology be confirmed.
What is Pentile Display Technology?
Pentile displays differ from traditional RGB stripe displays in that they use a pattern of subpixels with fewer overall subpixels to achieve lower production costs while still providing ** longevity. However, this can result in **lower effective screen resolution and certain visual artifacts being more noticeable compared to RGB stripe displays.
Macro Analysis Reveals the Switch OLED Employs Traditional RGB Stripe Technology
Through macro photography of the Switch OLED screen at high magnification, distinct red, green and blue subpixels in the familiar RGB stripe arrangement could be seen. This confirmed that each pixel contains dedicated red, green and blue light-emitting elements rather than shared subpixels as in Pentile designs.
Comparisons to Other High-End Mobile Display Technologies
The PlayStation Vita, released over a decade ago, was one of the earliest mobile devices to use OLED with an RGB stripe configuration. However, the limited screen sizes available for OLED screens left some uncertainty if Nintendo would adopt this higher-end technology. Fortunatley, the quality of the Switch OLED screen reassured players it would not be an issue.
Additional Minor Hardware Upgrades of the Switch OLED Model
In addition to the larger 7-inch OLED display with an adjustable kickstand, the Switch OLED dock was upgraded with a wired Ethernet port for more stable online multiplayer and double the internal storage at 64GB. The enhanced audio was also improved to provide more immersive gameplay.
Why Nintendo Released the Switch OLED Model Now
The benefits of OLED technology for vivid colors, deeper blacks, improved power efficiency and faster response times were tailor-made for handheld gaming. Gameplay footage shown in the announcement trailer clearly illustrated the visual improvement players could expect when undocked.
Comparison of Visual Quality in Handheld and Docked Modes
While the upgraded OLED screen enhances the appearance of games significantly when playing in portable mode, the hardware and software limitations remain unchanged when docked to a TV. As such, the visual fidelity delivered to bigger screens is unchanged from the original Switch model.
Upgrading for Visuals Alone May Not Justify the Increased Price
With nearly identical internal components as the launch Switch from early 2017, some questioned if the limited upgrades were enough to spend more money on a new system, especially for players primarily using it docked to their TVs. The original model is still perfectly capable after nearly 5 years.
Predicting the Future of the Switch Platform
Based on Nintendo’s history with other systems like the 3DS, the lifespan of their platforms is typically around the 5-6 year mark before being replaced by an entirely new generation. While an upgraded “Switch Pro” could come first, most analysts believe the next iteration after the Switch OLED will be true successor beyond just matching current HD gaming standards.