Nintendo Switch OLED isn’t worth buying in 2026 despite Switch 2 price increase

The Nintendo Switch OLED is difficult to recommend at its current $400 price in 2026. The article argues that saving $100 does not offset its substantially older and less capable hardware compared with Switch 2.

Nintendo Switch 2 costs $500, while the OLED model sells for $400 after its price increase. Both consoles have recently become $50 more expensive, but the current gap between them is $100.

The OLED screen remains the main advantage

The Switch OLED has a 7-inch OLED display with more vivid colors and deeper blacks, plus 64GB of built-in storage compared with 32GB in the standard Switch. The article says those are effectively its main advantages.

Switch 2 uses an LCD display. Some players criticized it at launch for ghosting and slower response time, but the author, who mainly plays in handheld mode, does not consider the issue significant. LCD colors can nevertheless look less saturated than those on OLED.

Console prices have changed

In August 2025, the Switch OLED price rose from $350 to $400. Switch 2 cost $450 at the time, leaving a $50 difference. This month, Switch 2 increased to $500.

The article also points to the OLED model’s much older and less powerful hardware. As a result, it does not expect major new games to continue launching for the original Switch.

A Switch 2 OLED remains unlikely

The article says an OLED version of Switch 2 would likely cost more because the console already sells for $500 without an OLED panel. An enhanced model is not considered impossible, but its chances are described as low for now because of high component costs.