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Nintendo Switch Lite is a handheld version based on the original system. While that means it's limited in some ways, such as not having a connected or removable Joy-Con, it's cheaper, smaller and lighter in weight. In the above Switch Lite photo, you can see at a glance a pair of traditional lever panels. Nintendo Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch 720P touch screen, while the original NS has a 6.2-inch screen.
Specs:
For all intents and purposes, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the standard Switch in a smaller body. The specifications are almost identical.
The Lite runs on a similar custom Nvidia Tegra chipset, for both computing and graphics, and 4GB of RAM. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and has a USB-C port for charging.
Sadly, it also matches the larger model when it comes to on-board storage. You get a measly 32GB again, only enough to hold around two or three of the bigger games – such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Even a cartridge game, which you plug into a dedicated port under a flap at the top, requires significant storage space to install parts onto.
So, you are well advised to also budget for a decent microSD card if you plump for the Lite. It has a slot that allows for cards up to 2TB in size, so you can greatly increase your storage capacity depending on how much you want to spend. And, to be honest, seeing as you can get a 128GB card for under £20 these days, it won't break the bank for a reasonable amount of space.
There are stereo speakers housed in the bottom of the device and a 3.5mm port if you want to connect wired headphones. Wireless headphones work well too, when connected via Bluetooth. None are included in the box, however.
The build quality is excellent, with a different feel to the conventional Switch. Whether you opt for the grey, turquoise or yellow version, it has a brushed matte aspect to the plastic, rather than shiny. We think it actually looks a tad classier and more expensive, therefore, even though it probably isn't.
At 275g, it is lighter than the original to the tune of more than 100g and that is very tangible when in the hand. It is more comfortable to play with for longer periods we have found. And, its battery, while smaller capacity, lasts considerably longer than the first-gen Switch.
Nintendo recently improved power management in a newly-issued version of the Switch, which offers more charge than the Lite even, but the former model used to conk out around three hours for us – sooner even, when playing graphically intensive games. The company claims that the Switch Lite should last for more than six hours generally and easily four on the more demanding titles. We've so far seen nothing to dispute that claim and haven't found ourselves having to recharge it as much as we did before.
Conclusion
Nintendo Switch Lite doesn't have some compelling features, such as HD Rumble or a larger screen, but its cheaper, more portable and longer-lasting features are appealing to those who prefer to play games in handheld situations. Of course, the lack of some Switch Lite features also makes it less compatible with some games, such as Nintendo's Labo Kit, and for some motion-aware games like 1-2 Switch, you'll need to sync a separate pair of Joy-con.
Specs:
- Weighs: 275g total
- Custom Nvidia Tegra processor, 4GB RAM
- Colour options: Grey, Turquoise or Yellow
- 3,570mAh battery, USB-C port for charging
- 3.5mm headphone port / Bluetooth wireless
- 32GB storage - upgradeable by microSD card
For all intents and purposes, the Nintendo Switch Lite is the standard Switch in a smaller body. The specifications are almost identical.
The Lite runs on a similar custom Nvidia Tegra chipset, for both computing and graphics, and 4GB of RAM. It also supports dual-band Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC and has a USB-C port for charging.
Sadly, it also matches the larger model when it comes to on-board storage. You get a measly 32GB again, only enough to hold around two or three of the bigger games – such as The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Odyssey. Even a cartridge game, which you plug into a dedicated port under a flap at the top, requires significant storage space to install parts onto.
So, you are well advised to also budget for a decent microSD card if you plump for the Lite. It has a slot that allows for cards up to 2TB in size, so you can greatly increase your storage capacity depending on how much you want to spend. And, to be honest, seeing as you can get a 128GB card for under £20 these days, it won't break the bank for a reasonable amount of space.
There are stereo speakers housed in the bottom of the device and a 3.5mm port if you want to connect wired headphones. Wireless headphones work well too, when connected via Bluetooth. None are included in the box, however.
The build quality is excellent, with a different feel to the conventional Switch. Whether you opt for the grey, turquoise or yellow version, it has a brushed matte aspect to the plastic, rather than shiny. We think it actually looks a tad classier and more expensive, therefore, even though it probably isn't.
At 275g, it is lighter than the original to the tune of more than 100g and that is very tangible when in the hand. It is more comfortable to play with for longer periods we have found. And, its battery, while smaller capacity, lasts considerably longer than the first-gen Switch.
Nintendo recently improved power management in a newly-issued version of the Switch, which offers more charge than the Lite even, but the former model used to conk out around three hours for us – sooner even, when playing graphically intensive games. The company claims that the Switch Lite should last for more than six hours generally and easily four on the more demanding titles. We've so far seen nothing to dispute that claim and haven't found ourselves having to recharge it as much as we did before.
Conclusion
Nintendo Switch Lite doesn't have some compelling features, such as HD Rumble or a larger screen, but its cheaper, more portable and longer-lasting features are appealing to those who prefer to play games in handheld situations. Of course, the lack of some Switch Lite features also makes it less compatible with some games, such as Nintendo's Labo Kit, and for some motion-aware games like 1-2 Switch, you'll need to sync a separate pair of Joy-con.
