This page contains all known information on the Hardware Specs of the Nintendo Switch. On January 27th, Nintendo's UK site finally revealed a full list of specs for the Nintendo Switch, including. Find out about the Nintendo Switch system, a gaming console you can play both at home and on-the-go. Watch videos, learn about the games, and buy your system.
The Nintendo Switch Lite's hardware specs share many similarities with its older sibling, the Nintendo Switch. You can see exactly how they compare on the Switch vs. Switch Lite Comparison Chart. Get the detailed specs for the Nintendo Switch console, the Joy-Con controllers, and more. How good the Switch is depends on a number of things about how you intend to use it: if you are using it as a home console or a portable, if you like Nintendo first-party games and low-spec indie.
How does the Nintendo Switch stack up next to the Wii U? After finally learning all the details concerning the new console and getting our hands on the modular device, we're here to run down all the major differences between them.
Nintendo Switch Specs Cpu
Here's everything you need to know if you're comparing the Nintendo Switch and the Wii U — from price and hardware specs to features and graphics.
Nintendo Switch vs. Wii U: Graphics performance and hardware specs
Nintendo doesn't generally reveal the intimate details of its new hardware — mostly because it often lags behind the competition — but we already know a decent amount about the Switch and how it compares to the Wii U.
The Switch packs a 6.2-inch, 1,280x720-pixel display, while the Wii U's gamepad offers the same size screen with a weaker 854x480-pixel resolution. Additionally, the Switch can output games in 1080p Full HD resolution when docked and connected to a television. And the Nintendo Switch boasts 236 pixels per inch, up from the 158ppi of the Wii U gamepad.
When it comes to storage space, the Switch offers 32GB of expandable memory. The Wii U came in 8GB and 32GB storage models with the option to expand with a microSD card or an external drive.
Finally, when it comes to pure power, the Switch packs an unspecified NVIDIA Tegra processor. We don't have the exact specs, but based on some hands-on time, we can confirm that the new Nintendo console runs smoothly whether it's docked or not. The Wii U also performed well for the most part, though its underpowered processor may have contributed to the lack of popular third-party games for the system. Hopefully Nintendo can fix that with the Switch, but we still don't know for sure.
Nintendo Switch vs. Wii U: Controllers
The Nintendo Switch comes with a pair of brand-new Joy-Con controllers that feature built-in sensors and 'Rumble HD' haptic engines. The console also comes with a Joy-Con Charging Grip accessory for a more traditional controller experience. However, if you want something really familiar, you'll need to purchase a separate Switch Pro Controller, which costs $69.99.
The Wii U offered its own lineup of controllers beyond the included gamepad. That included a 'Pro' model, along with support for the Wii Remote and all its accessories. Unfortunately, none of these controllers will work with the Switch — so you'll need to buy a whole new collection of controllers if you plan on playing the Switch with your friends.
Nintendo Switch vs. Wii U: Price
The Nintendo Switch costs $299.99. When the Wii U first launched, it was available for the same price or for $349.99 as a Deluxe edition with extra storage space. Since then, the console's price has dropped considerably. You can pick up a Deluxe edition with 32GB of storage and Mario Kart 8 included for $299.99, though at this point in the console's lifecycle we wouldn't recommend buying it.
Nintendo Switch vs. Wii U: Wrap-up
Overall, the Nintendo Switch feels like a great improvement on the Wii U in almost every way. We wish the new console still supported some of Nintendo's older controllers, but that's a small complaint considering everything the Switch gets right.
More Nintendo Switch news
For more info on what Nintendo revealed during its livestream, here's where you can get details on the Nintendo Switch price, release date, preorders and battery life. If you're interested in the Nintendo Switch's games, here's info on the new Super Mario Odyssey game, Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Splatoon 2, Xenoblade Chronicles 2, 1-2-Switch and the goofy boxing game Arms.
Just a few hours ago, Nintendo took the wraps off the Switch console — again. But this time around, the Japanese gaming giant actually revealed a bunch of details about the Switch, including pricing, release dates, and announced some of the exciting games that will be available at launch.
Nintendo Switch Specs Vs Xbox One
Nintendo also listed some of the specs of the new console on its website, but not all of them. Just as expected, they’re not that thrilling — or, at least, Nintendo isn’t making a big deal about specs.
According to The Verge, the Nintendo Switch packs a 6.2-inch 720p multitouch display. That’s 1280 x 720 resolution when the Switch is used in handheld mode. Docked, the console can put out Full HD resolution (1080p) through an HDMI connection to a TV that supports that resolution.
When it comes to processor and RAM, Nintendo said the Switch is powered by a custom Nvidia Tegra processor, without revealing other details. It’s not clear how much RAM the console will have, so we’ll just have to wait for teardowns to learn more about the Switch’s internals.
One disappointing detail concerns storage. The Switch comes with just 32GB of memory, which seems like hardly enough for a console that’s supposed to fight against the Xbox One and PS4 which ship with at least 500GB of storage.
The difference is that the Switch will support microSD storage expansion, which means you’ll be able to add up to 256GB of storage to it. Furthermore, all Switch games will come on physical GameCards. That means you won’t have to worry about storage that much.
Connectivity-wise, the Switch comes with fast 802.11ac Wi-Fi support and will let up to eight Switch consoles connect to play multiplayer games locally. The Switch can also be hooked up to an Ethernet cable, provided you’re using a USB LAN adaptor with the dock. The Switch also has a USB-C port that supports data transfer and battery charging.
Battery life is quoted at between 2.5 hours and 6 hours, depending on the game’s graphics. Nintendo says that The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild will consume the battery in around three hours.