Rumors about aNintendo SwitchPro have been making the rounds for a good while, almost since the original hybrid system was released in 2017. After a while, it seemed inevitable thatNintendowould announce something new to close the gap separating the company’s main hardware and the systems offered by Sony and Microsoft, even if the Switch has never been in direct competition with thePlayStationandXboxbrands.
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In July 2021, Nintendo confirmed that an upgrade for the Switch is on the way. Entitled theNintendo Switch OLED Model, the specs, release date, and more have been confirmed for the console. Now, it should be noted that the existence of this system does not mean that Nintendo will not announce another Switch-related console at a later date; in fact, therumored Nintendo Switch Pro might still be in the pipeline. Nevertheless, let’s look at what is known about the Nintendo Switch OLED Model while also going through some rumors relating to the Switch Pro.
Why Is A Nintendo Switch Upgrade Necessary?
The Nintendo Switch debuted in March 2017, so it has been out on the market for more than four years. While this is a relatively short cycle for a console, theSwitch launched with less power than the other main systems available at the time, the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.
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Following the release of the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the Nintendo Switch has fallen well behind the times, greatly reducing its chance of receiving multi-platform AAA games. 2019’s Nintendo Switch Lite serves as the pure handheld alternative to the main hybrid system, providing even more portability at the cost of slightly reduced performance.
Even when it comes to first or second-party games, the Nintendo Switch’s limitations could hamper the potential of titles such asBayonetta 3,The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild 2, andMetroid Prime 4.
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Nintendo Switch OLED’s Release Date
After months of speculation that a new console announcement was on the way,including arumored pre-order date of June 30, 2025, anda proposed reveal dateboth amounting to nothing, Nintendo announced an upgrade to the Switch. However, the new release is not the Switch Pro but theNintendoSwitch OLED Model. TheSwitch OLED has a release date of Jun 26, 2025.
Nintendo Switch OLED Model Announcement Trailer
Nintendo uploaded the announcement trailer for the Nintendo Switch OLED Model on Jun 13, 2025. Considering the company did not give any hint about this version’s existence during E3 2021, it came as quite a surprise.
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Nintendo Switch OLED Model’s Price
TheNintendo Switch OLED Model will cost $349.99. Recently, Nintendo has sought to provide a price advantage over Sony and Microsoft’s systems, with the Switch’s launch price being especially competitive.
The OLED Model’s launch price is $50 more than the base model’s, which is a better deal than the “Pro” upgrades of other systems. The PS4 Pro and Xbox One X both launched at $499.99, although Microsoft also offered the Xbox One S at an introductory price of $299.
Can You Pre-Order A Switch OLED?
The console is on the way, which begs the question: is it possible for someone to guarantee they have a Switch OLED on launch day? The answer is “maybe,” as Nintendo made the console available to pre-order on June 24, 2025, throughAmazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target.
Similar to the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, the Switch OLED is a highly in-demand system. Consequently, pre-orders are sold out. Anyone who wants a Switch OLED should keep an eye out onNintendo’s websiteto see if the console becomes available at any retailer.
Is The Nintendo Switch OLED An Upgrade Or New Console?
Nintendo has a long history of upgrading or adapting its handheld systems. Taking the3Ds' North American releasesas an example, Nintendo produced:
While not all of these releases felt necessary, they did highlight Nintendo’s willingness to stay removed from the traditional console wars and focus on its own products.
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The Switch’s status as both a home and portable system complicates matters, as Nintendo doesn’t typically look to extend the former’s lifespan for approximately a decade through upgraded releases.Going by the information provided on the Nintendo Switch OLED Model, this system is regarded as a companion piece to the base console, not a replacement. Essentially, it will live alongside the Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite, completing the family of consoles.
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Nintendo Switch OLED Model’s Specs
As suggested by its name, the Nintendo Switch OLED Model’s biggest selling point is its screen.The system will have a 7-inch organic light-emitting diode screen, which should translate to better colors and sharper contrast. Many modern TVs and high-end phones use OLED for their screens, and this panel technology tends to be expensive.
Here are the specs confirmed for the Nintendo Switch OLED Model:
Alongside the screen, the 64 GB internal storage is perhaps the most eye-catching enhancement. One of the main criticisms of the base model is that it only offers 32 GB, an underwhelming amount considering the size of modern games. While 64 GB still doesn’t provide much wiggle room, it is a welcome change.The Nintendo Switch OLED Model does not have any significant internal changes from the base console, so the CPU and RAM are the same.
In terms of colors, theNintendo Switch OLED Model will be available in white or the standard neon red/neon blue combo.
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The Switch OLED Deck’s Ethernet Port
The new screen has hogged the limelight when it comes to the Switch OLED’s main selling points, but another crucial feature is the inclusion of anethernet port on the console’s deck. The original Nintendo Switch requires a LAN accessory to have a wired internet connection, and the performance is inconsistent. The OLED’s ethernet port should prove a substantial improvement in online play, particularly since Nintendo’s servers are peer to peer.The OLED deck will be also compatible with the standard Nintendo Switch.
Joy-Cons, Accessories, And Digital Games For The Switch OLED
Further stressing that the upcoming release is meant to be a companion system rather than a replacement for the original console, theOLED Model supports the standard Switch’s docking station.
Although the Joy-Con controllers have a different color, they are the same models as the ones used by the Nintendo Switch.If someone already owns Joy-Cons, they can use them with the OLED version.
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This also extends to Nintendo Switch accessories like the Pro Controller, as these will also be compatible with the OLED Model. Digital games bought for the base console (or Switch Lite) can also be downloaded and played on the OLED Model, permitting they are on the same Nintendo Account and both systems are linked. However, there are some caveats for the latter, so it is recommended to read throughNintendo’s instructions.
Will The Nintendo Switch OLED Model Support Bluetooth Audio Pairing?
If this question were asked in August 2021, the answer would have been “no” since the base Switch model, at the time, could not be paired with Bluetooth audio devices. However, that has recently changed.
On Jun 22, 2025,Nintendo released an update for the Switch that added this feature to the console. This was long overdue considering the device launched in 2017, but it is still a welcome addition at this point in the platform’s lifespan. With the Nintendo Switch OLED set to launch in October 2021, this Bluetooth update came out at the perfect time.
Will The Nintendo Switch OLED Model Have Exclusive Games?
Until more information is revealed about the console, one can only speculate on whether theNintendo Switch OLED Model will have exclusive games. While the PS4 Pro and Xbox One X did not go down this route, Nintendo has previously taken this option. For example, games such asXenoblade ChroniclesandFire Emblem Warriorsare exclusive to theNew 3DS.
At the moment,Nintendo has not announced any exclusive games for the system, only confirming that the OLED Model can run the standard Switch’s library. While the upgrades are not unsubstantial, the OLED version’s unchanged CPU means there is little to gain from creating games specifically for it.
If Nintendo opts to not have exclusives for the OLED, which seems likely, then an even newer system could very well be announced sooner rather than later. At this point, it seems more likely that the next Nintendo console announcement will be a proper follow-up to the Switch, rather than just a marginal upgrade.
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Are There Any Interesting Nintendo Switch Games Launching On The Same Day As The OLED Model?
The Nintendo Switch OLED might not have any exclusive games waiting for it but there is an exciting title coming out on the same day as the console.Metroid Dreadwill be rolling onto stores on July 04, 2025. Samus Aran is back with her first adventure since 2017’sMetroid: Samus Returns, a 3DS remake of the 1991 Game Boy classic,Metroid 2: Return of Samus. When it comes to original 2D side-scrolling games,Metroid Dreadis the first entry in the franchise since 2002’sMetroid Fusion.
Tetris Effect Connectedis also debuting on the Switch on July 04, 2025, providing another option for those who want to pair their OLED with a launch day title.
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Which Games Should Newcomers To The Switch Ecosystem Purchase?
While the majority of people who want a Switch most likely own one by this point, there will be buyers for who the OLED Model will be their first Nintendo system. After so many years on the market, the Switch has amassed a massive library, so a new customer might feel overwhelmed by the sheer amount of options.
To make the process simpler, here are a few standout games from a range of genres. Their Nintendo Switch U.S. store prices have also been included (discounts not considered).
Is The Nintendo Switch OLED Model The Rumored Switch Pro?
While the OLED Model provides improvements over the base console, it is not much of an upgrade on a technological front. The pre-reveal rumors about a Nintendo Switch Pro could still end up being true, but an announcement any time soon seems unlikely since it would make the OLED version somewhat obsolete.
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Typically, Nintendo drops a new console every 5-6 years:
While the Wii U’s lifecycle lasted less than five years, theNintendo Switch has been far more successful than its predecessor, something that continues to be the case in 2021.
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Nintendo Switch “Pro” Rumored Specs
Therumors surrounding the Switch Pro’s hardwarementioned that the console usesNvidia’s DLSS technology, has a7-inch Samsung OLED screen, 8GB memory, and supports4K resolutionswhile docked. Other rumors stated theSwitch Pro will include an ethernet connection and a better kickstandthan its predecessor. Naturally, the rumors do not all agree, with some predicting the Switch Pro will have the same Tegra X1+ chipset as the base model, albeit with a superior cooling system.
Some of these rumors, such as the OLED screen and ethernet connection, have proven to be true; however, that is not the case for everything.The Nintendo Switch OLED Model does not support 4K resolution. It should be noted that these rumors could still end up being true, they just aren’t relevant for the system coming out on May 15, 2025.
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Nintendo Switch “Pro” Rumored Price
Early in June 2021, aEuropean retailer leaked a potential price for the Nintendo Switch Pro, with the console being listed for 399 €. If converted into dollars, theprice would be just shy of $500, meaning the Switch Pro would have cost roughly the same amount as the Xbox Series X and the disc version of the PlayStation 5. However, these are all justrumored prices and nothing else.
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This price has proven to be inaccurate for the OLED Model, but this reflects thatthe announced version is not as big of a leap forward as the rumors for the Switch Pro predicted.
How Does The Switch OLED Compare To The Steam Deck?
Shortly after Nintendo announced the Switch OLED,Valve revealed plans to enter the portable market with the Steam Deck. Set to come out in December 2021, theSteam Deck can be seen as a rival to the Switch OLED, although the two consoles have different customer bases, entry fees, and features.
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TheSteam Deck will play most PC games, providing players with on-the-go access to their Steam libraries. The Switch OLED does feature a better screen than the Steam Deck; on the other hand, theSteam Deck offers more powerthrough its AMD Zen 2 processor, 3.5 GHz CPU, and AMD 8 RDNA graphics card.
The Steam Deck’s price varies depending on its storage size, with Valve offering the following options:
The Switch OLED is a decent upgrade over the base model. It will likely become the standard version of the console once it is released, especially since Nintendo is not known for reducing the price of its systems. Conversely, theSteam Deck is more of a game-changer, particularly for PC players.
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Latest News On The Nintendo Switch OLED Model Or The Rumored Pro
The Nintendo Switch Pro will either prove to be the industry’sworst-kept secret,its biggest swerve, or its greatest myth. For months, any discourse was fueled entirely byrumors, speculations, leaks, and predictions; however, Nintendo eventually pulled back the curtain to reveal what is in the works. The Nintendo Switch OLED Model is not the Switch Pro, but it comes with a few notable changes.
As the August 09, 2025 release date for the OLED Model nears, more information will be made available. While unlikely to happen anytime soon, Nintendo could possibly reveal another system sometime next year. However, the Switch’s long library of announced games and the OLED Model’s reveal suggests that it might be a while before Nintendo reveals something else.
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Recommended Readings
The Nintendo Switch Pro/OLED Model has been a hot topic for a while, inspiring plenty of articles to be written discussing its potential. Along with the pieces linked throughout this page, here are some articles to check out:
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