The Nintendo Switch Lite is finally out and the consensus is that it’s a great and portable version of a system that was already quite great. Is it the system for you though? Is it a console that you actually need? Here are five differences between the Switch and the Switch Lite.
Price
The original Nintendo Switch released in 2017 came with a price tag of $299. Just a few weeks ago, version two of the original console was released for the same price. It features slightly better battery life.
If you’re in the market for a new Switch, you’re likely either looking at picking up a Lite or a V2.
In terms of price, the difference between the two is $100 as the Switch Lite is $199.
Screen and Size
Between the two systems, you’re taking a hit in screen size with the Lite but you’re doing so with one key benefit: higher pixels-per-inch.
The Switch has a 6.2 inch screen with a peak resolution of 720p. The Lite is a 5.5 inch screen with a peak resolution of 720p. Because the two screens are capable of the same resolution, the smaller screen is packing more pixels-per-inch.
This translates to sharper images onscreen.
In terms of overall size and weight, the Lite mimics its screen size: it’s smaller. It’s 3.6 inches by 8.2 inches by 5.5 inches and .61 pounds. The Switch, on the other hand, is 4 inches by 9.4 inches by 5.5 inches with a weight of .88 pounds.
Battery
The battery life of the Lite is just a tad smaller than that of the original. Nintendo says the Lite has a battery life of three to seven hours. The V2 of the original, though, has an improved battery life of 4.5 to nine hours of battery.
Joy-Con
Quite possibly the biggest takeaway with the Switch Lite is its Joy-Cons or rather, lack thereof.
Because the Lite cannot be docked and because of its increased portability, the Lite has no real Joy-Cons nor can its sides (which look like Joy-Cons) be detached.
The Lite is a single unit and ideally, not a single part of it comes apart.
Now, because of this, you’re losing out on a few things. If you don’t have additional Joy-Cons to connect to the Lite, there are certain Joy-Con-reliant games like 1-2 Switch that you won’t be able to play.
These instances are few and far between but it’s something to note.
Additionally, if you don’t have extra Joy-Con or Pro Controllers laying around, you can’t play multiplayer games on your Lite as the Lite itself, in this case, would be the only controller available for play.
Connectivity
The final difference that you absolutely need to know before purchasing a Switch Lite is that it cannot connect to your TV in any way. The Lite will not come with a dock because it is incapable of using one.
It has no HDMI ports which means it cannot connect to an external screen. Now, part of the philosophy of the Switch is its ability to be an at-home console and a portable one for on-the-go situations.
If you purchase the Lite, you’ll be limited to handheld play only. This makes the Lite a great gift for someone who already has a Switch and is just looking for something to take on-the-go.
If you’re someone looking to play games like Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey on your big, pretty screen, the Lite is not the console for you.
That’s it for the five key differences between the Switch and the Switch Lite.
For more information about the Lite, be sure to search for whatever you’re looking for on Twinfinite. Here are some pieces to get you started:
- 4 Games You Won’t Be Able to Play With Just the Switch Lite
- The Incoming Switch Revision Is Stealing the Spotlight From the Switch Lite
- Nintendo Will Be Releasing New Switch Joy-Con Colors in October
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