For gamers who want to play handheld rather than docked, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a portable version of the conventional Nintendo Switch console. The Switch Lite doesn’t deviate too much from the original system, but it does have a few features that set it apart.
Compared to the conventional console, the Nintendo Switch Lite is considerably lighter and slightly smaller, making it much easier to carry around. The Nintendo Switch Lite, on the other hand, can be the ideal choice if you value the versatility of playing the Nintendo Switch or Nintendo Switch OLED portable or docked.
But, the Nintendo Switch Lite has a lot of benefits if you’re a mobile gamer. Because to its decreased weight and smaller size, it has the potential to provide an excellent substitute for the typical console. But before you make the Switch, weigh the advantages and disadvantages, just as with any new release.
PRICE AND RELEASE DATE FOR NINTENDO SWITCH LITE
Around two years after the release of the original Switch model, Nintendo released the Switch Lite. The Lite, which debuted on September 20, 2019, did away with the ability to attach your Switch to a TV, but it also featured a considerable price reduction.
The Nintendo Switch Lite costs $199.99/£199.99/AU$329.95, in contrast to the normal Switch, which is now available for purchase for £259.99/$259.99/AU$435. So, choosing the handheld-only device can result in a significant savings provided you can live with this compromise over the long run.
Luckily, Nintendo has stated that there won’t be a price increase for the Nintendo Switch Lite just yet, in contrast to recent price increases for the PS5 and Oculus Quest 2 that were attributed to global inflation. So there’s no rush if you haven’t yet purchased a Switch Lite.
DESIGN FOR NINTENDO SWITCH LITE
The Nintendo Switch Lite and the original Nintendo Switch differ primarily in that the Switch Lite is only a handheld device. Because of this, the Switch Lite is significantly smaller and lighter than its predecessor. The Nintendo Switch OLED, which is marginally bigger than the original Switch, can likewise be compared in that manner.
Compared to the 102mm x 239mm x 13.9mm and 297g weight of the original Switch, the Switch Lite is smaller and lighter, measuring 91.1mm x 208mm x 13.9mm. Because of this, the device has a 5.5-inch LCD touch screen that is less capacious but still offers 1280 x 720 pixels.
In other words, it has a smaller screen than the 6.2-inch original Switch screen but the same resolution, therefore the picture quality is unaffected. In actuality, this delivers the Switch Lite 267 pixels per inch (ppi), which is a little bit sharper than the 236 ppi of the original Switch.
The downside is that reading little in-game writing on a smaller screen can occasionally be challenging. To read parts of the text, we had to bring the console closer to our faces. It’s a small problem, but it seems strange to passersby on their morning commute.
The Switch Lite excels most when used as a handheld device since it is more ergonomic. It’s more portable and convenient to operate on the go than the original Switch because of its smaller size: you need less space for your elbows, and it probably fits in a large pocket.
In spite of being relatively small, the original Switch is nevertheless huge by portable standards, which can make it hard to use for someone with small hands. The Lite, on the other hand, is far more portable and suits your hands well. It is still broad and doesn’t feel as cozy as the 3DS did, though.
SWITCH LITE FOR NINTENDO: PERFORMANCE
The Nintendo Switch Lite performs very identically to the Switch, with the exception that it has a battery life of 3–7 hours, which is 30 minutes longer than the Switch’s initial battery life and 1-2 hours shorter than the improved Switch model now in shops (although Nintendo warns that this depends on the games you play).
It is important to remember that the Switch Lite does not have an Infrared Motion Camera or HD Rumble. Only the greatest Nintendo Switch titles that support handheld mode will work on the system because it was designed exclusively to play handheld games.
That’s not to say you can’t play games that don’t support handheld mode, but in order for this to function, you’d need to wirelessly connect your Joy-Cons (and buy them plus their charging grip separately). We discovered that HD Rumble may be used when Joy-Cons are connected.
VERDICT FOR NINTENDO SWITCH LITE
For those who enjoy cozy handheld gaming and have never been convinced by the Nintendo Switch’s docked mode, the Nintendo Switch Mini is the ideal system. The smaller, lighter device has a significantly better feel than its predecessor and is less awkward.
The Switch Lite is more convenient to transport, requires less elbow room during commutes, and fits in your hands more snugly when it comes to portable gaming. Although it isn’t nearly as comfortable as the 3DS, it offers the same performance as the Switch, so we can overlook that.
Anyone considering purchasing the Switch Lite should keep in mind that it is designed to focus on solo, portable gaming, and that the number of titles that are compatible with it is slightly lower than that of the original Switch. It is more than just a scaled-down Switch model.
Conclusion
So let’s say you don’t worry too much about losing the few games we’ve listed and are instead searching for a handheld device that is more comfy, lighter, and generally prettier (and comes in a variety of chic colors). The Switch Lite is probably for you in that situation.
