Is Upgrading to the OLED Nintendo Switch Worth It? A Detailed Analysis from an Avid Gamer

Hi friend! If you‘re an avid Nintendo Switch gamer like me, you may be wondering whether upgrading to the new OLED model is really worth it. After poring over reddit threads and reviews, I believe the answer is yes if you play primarily in handheld mode.

As a fellow gamer, let me walk you through an in-depth look at the key improvements and why I feel the OLED model provides a meaningfully better handheld experience.

A Quick Summary of the Main Upgrades

The main draws of the new Nintendo Switch OLED model are:

• A gorgeous 7-inch OLED screen that makes games look more vibrant and immersive, especially handheld
• A wider kickstand that provides enhanced stability when playing in tabletop mode
• Better sound from the upgraded speakers for a more immersive audio experience on the go
• 64GB of internal storage, double the original Switch‘s 32GB
• A wired LAN port on the dock for lower latency online play when connected to TV

Breaking Down the Pros and Cons

Let‘s analyze the biggest pros and cons of upgrading based on reddit discussions and reviews from hands-on users:

Key Pros of the OLED Model

1. The Superior OLED Screen

The OLED screen is the main attraction. With vivid colors, sharp contrast, and true blacks, games look absolutely stunning handheld. Side-by-side comparisons really showcase the difference:

OLED Switch (left) shows richer colors and details vs original Switch (right) – Source: Reddit u/clickbaitgames

Redditors who‘ve upgraded rave about the screen:

"The display and colors absolutely pop…This screen alone makes every game look better." – u/Anxiety_over_9000

"The screen difference handheld is night and day." – u/dashiiaa21

And I have to agree – when I borrowed my friend‘s OLED Switch, the vibrant screen instantly pulled me into the games more than my launch day Switch.

2. More Immersive Handheld Gaming Experience

The improvements go beyond just the display. The 1-inch larger OLED screen coupled with the enhanced speakers and kickstand make handheld gaming noticeably more immersive.

You really feel like you‘re playing console-quality games on a premium handheld device, whether kicking back on the couch or playing tabletop.

3. Future-Proofed With Latest Hardware

The OLED model ensures you have Nintendo‘s latest Switch hardware. For new buyers or those upgrading an original Switch, it future-proofs their purchase with the upgraded screen, speakers, kickstand, and twice as much internal storage.

Potential Downsides to Weigh

1. No Performance Improvements

The OLED Switch plays games exactly the same as the original. The processor, RAM, battery life, and resolution when docked to a TV are identical.

For some upgraders hoping for performance gains, the lack of any is disappointing. But for owners focused on the handheld experience, it‘s not an issue.

2. Higher Price

With the OLED model priced at $350 versus $300 for the base Switch, the $50 premium gives some buyers pause. For casual gamers or those short on cash, it may be tougher to justify.

3. Supply Shortages

Strong demand combined with chip shortages have made the OLED model tough to find in stock. For eager upgraders or new buyers, hunting down a console has proved difficult. Patience and luck are necessities.

Comparing Key Specs of the OLED and Standard Models

Here‘s a handy specs comparison table to showcase the key hardware differences:

When Does the OLED Model Make Sense for Upgraders?

Whether upgrading your original Switch to the OLED version seems worthwhile really depends on your usage habits and priorities:

For Docked Play, Upgrading is Hard to Justify

If you primarily play docked to a TV, the OLED Switch won‘t provide major benefits. On a TV, the resolution, frame rates, and overall performance are identical to the original model.

Trading up just for slightly better sound quality when docked is hard to rationalize for most. As one Redditor put it:

"If you mostly play docked anyway, I don‘t think there‘s enough here to warrant $350." – u/dashiiaa21

For Handheld Users, It‘s Likely Worth It

If you spend most of your gameplay time in handheld mode, the OLED Switch seems very worth upgrading to based on impressions.

The larger, more vibrant OLED panel coupled with the nicer speakers and kickstand add up to a meaningfully improved mobile experience. Games look and sound better, whether lounging on the couch or playing tabletop.

For hardcore handheld gamers, the Switch OLED is the definitive way to play on the go.

Final Verdict After Talking to Fellow Gamers

After discussing and analyzing the OLED Switch extensively with my gamer friends, we agree that for players focused on handheld gameplay, upgrading offers a meaningfully improved experience that‘s worth the $50 premium.

The beautiful OLED panel and other enhancements combine to make the Switch feel fresh and more engaging as a handheld system. Nintendo really refined their hardware into a premium portable gaming machine.

However, for gamers who mostly play docked, it‘s a tougher sell. The unchanged performance when connected to a TV reduces the appeal, especially at $350 MSRP.

So in summary friend, if you love gaming on the go, I say the OLED model is definitely worth upgrading to or purchasing as your first Switch. But if TV mode is your main playstyle, you can likely hold off for now. Let me know if you have any other questions!