Once, Nintendo had a monopoly on the handheld gaming market. Now, with the release of Nintendo Switch 2, not so much. Since the release of the original nintendo switch, many other major handhelds have been released like such as Steam And this Lenovo Legion Go SCommon thread? All these, including switch 2 – are at the large end, compared to at least 3DS or former handheld. If you are like me, and ergonomics and portability for your handheld, it can be a problem.
So I have freed some pictures of Switch 2 with the original switch with my biggest (literal and rhetorical) contestants, so you can get a better idea how it will really feel once in your hands.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch
Switch 2 with Joy-C2 (left) with 1 switch with 1 switch-c with 1 (right)
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
First, to set an base line, let’s compare Switch 2 against the original switch. Unfortunately, I do not have a switch OLED on hand, so for this comparison, we have to go with the launch model.
This is not such a bad thing, however, this is where you will get the most noticeable differences. First, let’s look at the dimensions and weight. Switch 2 seems to have eaten the original switch. If you like a big screen, it is very good, but know that it will be slightly less portable, and perhaps a little less favorable for players with small -handed players. The number-wise, the original switch 4.02 x 9.41 x 0.51 inch and 0.88 pounds (or 0.65 pounds with controller), while the switch 2 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 inch and 1.18 pounds (0.88 pounds with or or controller). It does not seem that Switch 2 has done so much beef on paper, but personally, it sounds like night and day. On the plus side, however, it is still very thin, and lighter and comfortable enough in my adult hands. This can be even more comfortable, which I touch soon.
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Switch 2 presents a noticeable upgrade on the screen on the original switch, which comes at more than 6.2 inches of its predecessor at 7.9 inches. It is now 1080p (unlike 720p at the original) and can display materials in HDR and up to 120 FPS (as any HDR on HDR and 60 FPS). This screen is definitely a big reason why the new console is big, and when I will not be surprised to see a switch 2 lights down from the line, it seems really worth it after playing.
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Let’s take a look at the docks and controllers. Switch 2 docks are slightly longer and wider than the original switch dock to accommodate large console and added fan, but it should not take too much space in your entertainment center. The big deal is the new Joy-Con 2 Controller, which I love at all. 4.57 x 0.56 x 1.2 inch vs. 4.02 x 0.55 x at the original joy-class at 1.41 inch, they give your hand a little more to grab a little more. I always felt that the original joy-curses were very tight, always used to choose a Pro Controller or Third-Party Joy-Con while playing, but the new Joy-Ccs are very comfortable out of the box, especially with their slightly big buttons and sticks. You will probably not bother to upgrade to a new controller until you want to completely traditional D-Pad.
Joy-con 2 (left) next to Joy-C (right).
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Overall, the switch 2 feels more adult and slightly less toiletic. This is very good news for people like me, although children may need to take some time to accommodate it.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Probably the most prominent competition of Nintendo Switch 2 is a handheld gaming PC from the steam deck valve that was launched in 2022 and later a OLED upgraded with the same dimension and weight, but a slightly larger screen. Then, I have the original model, but both use the same overall construction too much.
If Switch 2 seemed to have been such that it could eat the original switch, then the steam deck seems to be such that it could eat the switch 2. At 11.73 x 4.60 x 1.93 inches, it is quite thicker and wider than the switch 2, if not especially long. It is also heavy at 1.41 pounds.
Steam deck from profile (above) vs. switch 2 (below)
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Personally, I think it is a bit weighty (although not as much worse as my husband), but the part of the extra height and depth comes from a purposeful option to make it more comfortable and usable. The steam deck comes with the underlying grips that makes me at least easier than the switch 2, even taking into account better ergonomics on new joy-con 2 controllers. And those catch with additional space, the valve has taken freedom to add to large touchpads on either side of the device, as well as buttons themselves catching themselves. These open new ways to play that are not possible on switch 2, and are additional convenient when navigating the desktop mode of steam decks. However, they make the steam deck slightly less portable, as they add some bulkiness to the device around its edges. This is why the device looks thicker on paper than appearing in some photos.
For that desktop mode, it actually points to the kicker here: steam deck, essentially, is a shrunken gaming PC, while Switch 2 is more similar for an overgrowth PSP. The equipment aims for different goals, and keeping this in mind, each receives them very well. Sure, the steam deck is thicker, but when compared to the smallest in standard gaming PCs, it is an impressive form for price.
What do you think so far?
What is less impressive by switch 2, unfortunately, the screen is. It is only 7 inches on the base model and 7.4 inches on the OLED model, which are smaller than the display of both switch 2. It is also at the top of 800p and 60 FPS, both are less than the switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Lenovo Legion Go S
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Finally, I want to compare Switch 2 against another device I am reviewing now: Lenovo Legion Go S. This Lenovo device is the latest in third -party steam deck alternatives, and is particularly interesting because it is the first to run the steamos of the valve. There are many other competitive handheld gaming PCs at this time, but for my money, it is one to note.
11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches, it is slightly longer and wider than the steam deck, although not much. And in 1.61 pounds, it is heavy, although the grips are slightly more bulbs, so I really feel that it is a bit more comfortable to catch.
From the top switch 2 (left) vs. Legion Go S (right).
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
Significant improvement here is different from the internal – the screen, which is eight inch, 1200p, and supports 120 FPS. This is also an improvement on switch 2. However, you also get only one touchpad (which is too small) and only two grip buttons. On the plus side, the trigger has a switch that lets you adjust their journey, so if you want, you can convert them into twichier hair trigger.
Overall, this is a much different market section compared to switch 2, so I suspect that they will greatly obstruct each other. This is a chonicier, but – like steam deck – for good reason. The handheld PC needs to be overall, as their components do not always take into account such small forms factors. But on the plus side, since these devices are already large, they usually add to some additional ergonomics and control to compensate.
I suspect that Nintendo will continue to follow the tendency of this lubrication, apple-soque design, while handheld gaming PCs will feel a little more comfortable to spread their feet, at least a potential steam deck 2 and even to adopt wider market. There is a place for both, but if you are wondering which is better in your bag, now you know. Small, more toiletic console of the past, well, even though the switch 2 is smaller than the competition, it is still large that I played with growing up. For entertainment, here is a switch 2 next to a 3DS XL.
Credit: Mitchell Eharhart
