The smaller, handheld-only Switch.
Nintendo's smaller, handheld version of the Switch, officially called the Nintendo Switch Lite, can be yours. I got my hands on this handheld system the day it released and I have to say I absolutely love it. If you're interested, you can check out my full Switch Lite review. If you're just wanting some information on the system then read on.
There have also been rumors for awhile that another, more powerful Switch is also in the making, but we haven't heard anything official about that unit yet. Without further ado, here's everything you might want to know about the Nintendo Switch Lite.
More people have been buying more gaming equipment since the pandemic hit the US. As such, it's often hard to find the Nintendo Switch Lite at a reasonable price online.
Budget Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Light and portable
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a great, lightweight, budget-friendly Switch console with built-in controllers and a longer battery life.
What is the Nintendo Switch Lite?
Before the internet knew the actual name, this device was referred to as the Nintendo Switch mini. It's a smaller, handheld version of the Nintendo Switch that offers longer battery life than the original console.
There are several other differences between the Switch Lite and the original console that you should know about. In order to not get confused you need to know a couple of things. First, off, in 2019 Nintendo released an updated version of the original Switch known as the Nintendo Switch V2. This newer model has a few changes from the original, but the most notable is that it has longer battery life.
We'll go through and tell you how the Switch Lite differs from both the original Switch and the Switch V2.
Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch Lite
| Specs | Switch (original) | Switch V2 | Switch Lite |
|---|---|---|---|
| Resolution | 720p (up to 1080p when docked) | 720p (up to 1080p when docked) | 720p |
| Screen size | 6.2 inches | 6.2 inches | 5.5 inches |
| Dimensions (H x L x D) | 4 x 9.4 x 0.55 inches | 4 x 9.4 x 0.55 inches | 3.6 x 8.2 x 0.55 inches |
| Weight | 0.88 pounds | 0.88 pounds | 0.61 pounds |
| Rumble and IR camera | Yes | Yes | No |
| Compatible with Nintendo Switch Dock | Yes | Yes | No |
| Removable Joy-Cons | Yes | Yes | No |
| Battery life | 2.5–6.5 hours | 4.5–9 hours | 3–7 hours |
The Switch Lite has a 5.5-inch screen, which is the average size for smartphone displays.
As you can tell by looking at these specs, the mini Switch weighs less and has a smaller screen than the original Switch and the Switch V2. To help you visualize the size of the Switch Lite screen better, it helps to know that 5.5 inches is an average size for a smartphone screen.
Perhaps the most interesting thing about the Switch Lite is the extra battery life. It can last longer than the original Switch, but the Switch V2 still has the longest battery life of all three systems. Still, with up to seven hours of play time, you'll be able to get really far when playing on a Switch Lite.
The biggest difference between these three systems, however, is that the the Lite is a dedicated handheld, so you can't play it on a TV by placing it on the Dock and you can't play it in tabletop mode. In fact, the Switch Lite doesn't have a kickstand and the Joy-Cons don't detach. Similarly, there is no HD rumble and no IR Motion Camera in this system.
Aside from the obvious screen and system size differences, there are a few other visual changes with the smaller Switch. One of the biggest being that the buttons on the left-hand side have been switched out for a D-pad. This is something many gamers have wanted as it can give you a little more control.
Additionally, while both the original Switch and the Switch V2, have a microSD card slot hidden behind the kickstand the kickstand-less Nintendo Switch Lite has a dedicated memory card slot on the bottom right. The speakers on the original Switch and Switch V2 are located on the backside, but the new Switch has them on the bottom of the system.
If you open the Switch Lite, it looks pretty similar to the larger, original Switch, but with a few differences. It still houses a Nvidia Tegra X-1 SoC, a 32 GB Flash Storage, and a 4 GB of LPDDR4X DRAM, like the original. However, it has a smaller 3.8 volt, 13.6 Watt-hour battery, which is a bit smaller than the larger Switch's 3.7 volt, 16 Watt-hour battery. As we mentioned before, this battery offers more juice than the original Switch console's battery despite being smaller.
Does the Switch Lite have drift issues?
Unfortunately, the joysticks are pretty similar to the larger Switch console's so Joy-Con drift issues are likely. In fact, several cases of Nintendo Switch Lite joystick drift have already come to light. This has pulled the Nintendo Switch Lite into the existing class action lawsuit against Nintendo, conducted by the Chimicles Schwartz Kriner & Donaldson-Smith law firm.
Due to the prevalent drift issues found in the larger Switch console's Joy-Cons, Nintendo offers free repairs and has setup a special customer support page specifically for submitting a Joy-Con repair ticket. Now, not every Joy-Con nor every Switch Lite will be affected by joystick drift, but it's important to be aware of it.
How much does a Nintendo Switch Lite cost?
Since the smaller Switch ditches some of the tech seen in both the original console and the Switch V2, it's also less expensive. You'll only need to pay $200 for a brand new Switch Lite in comparison to the $300 you'll spend on a new standard Switch or the Switch V2. Incidentally, $200 is how much you used to pay for a brand new 3DS XL, and it looks like the Switch Lite has quietly replaced that handheld gaming system.
This smaller Switch is currently available in three new colors including yellow, gray, turquoise, and coral. There's even a special Pokémon Sword and Shield edition if you're a Pokémon fan.
Don't get scammed when buying a Nintendo Switch Lite
2020 has definitely been a strange year. With so many people stuck inside, gaming equipment has become much more in demand than usual. This in turn has caused a shortage on many retailer's sites. There are plenty of scalpers on eBay, Amazon, or other such locations who will sell you a Nintendo Switch Lite at a skyrocketed price. Unfotuntately, this shortage has also lead to more scams than usual.
If you see an online deal for a Nintendo Switch Lite that is way lower than anywhere else you've see, be wary. It's best to stick to trusted retailers like Amazon, Walmart, or Target. One of the best ways to see if a reliable store has a Switch Lite in stock is to get updates from Stock Informer.
Can it play the same Switch games and use the same accessories?
Many of the same games played on the original Nintendo Switch work just fine on the new Switch Lite. However, if you want to play any Switch games that don't support handheld mode, like Super Mario Party, then you'll need to connect a compatible wireless controller in order to play those games.
The Switch Lite works with many of the existing Switch accessories. This includes Joy-Cons and the Pro Controller. If you like to play multiplayer games or party games, you'll likely need to pair external Joy-Cons to the system in order to play. The Switch Lite is smaller and built a little differently from the larger Switch so some Switch accessories won't work with it. For instance, it's better to use a dedicated Nintendo Switch Lite case rather than using one for the larger system.
Nintendo Switch Online and local co-op with a Switch Lite
You can still access Nintendo Switch Online content and participate in online multiplayer gaming with the Switch Lite. As a matter of fact, if you have a friend who owns one of the larger Switch consoles and you purchase the Switch Lite, you'll be able to connect your devices and play local co-op games. Pretty nifty, eh?
Can I transfer my Switch game saves to the Switch Lite?
Anyone planning on shifting from either of the larger console versions to the smaller gaming system can breath a sigh of relief. You can transfer your game saves and downloads from one Switch device to another whether it be the original Switch to the New Switch V2, the Switch V2 to the Switch Lite or any other order.
Need some help? We can show you how to transfer games saves in our guide.
Does it support amiibo?
Don't worry, your amazing amiibo collection is usable with the smaller Switch as the device still offers NFC functionality. Of course, some Switch games don't work with amiibo, so whether or not you want to use them will depend on which game you're playing (but you already knew that).
What are your thoughts?
Are you going to purchase the Nintendo Switch Lite? Sound off in the comments below.
Updated September 2020: Added section on not getting scammed.
Budget Switch
Nintendo Switch Lite
Light and portable
The Nintendo Switch Lite is a great, lightweight, budget-friendly Switch console with built-in controllers and a longer battery life.
Get More Switch
Nintendo Switch
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