Skip to main content

Switch OLED doesn’t include updated Joy-Cons or CPU, Nintendo confirms

With today’s announcement of the Nintendo Switch OLED, there are a ton of questions that need to be answered. Thankfully, the company has been forthright with details on its upcoming hardware revision. Unfortunately, it appears that the Switch OLED is missing some oft-requested features. Most notably, the Switch OLED doesn’t come with a new version of its Joy-Con controllers or improved hardware.

Nintendo Switch (OLED model) - Announcement Trailer

Nintendo confirmed in a statement to Polygon today that the Joy-Cons customers will get with the Switch OLED are the same as the base model Switch’s. Speaking to Polygon, a Nintendo representative said: “The Joy-Con controller configuration and functionality did not change with Nintendo Switch system (OLED model). The configuration and functionality is the same as that of the Joy-Con controllers for the Nintendo Switch system.”

OLED Nintendo Switch
Nintendo

That’s a bit of a surprise, considering the issue of Joy-Con drift that has plagued consumers since the Switch’s release. Joy-Con drift is an issue with the controller’s joysticks, which can dislodge from a neutral position and make inputs without you actually moving them. It’s not an uncommon complaint to hear from Switch owners, and Nintendo’s inaction on the issue, which essentially forces users to buy a new set of Joy-Con controllers, is surprising.

Recommended Videos

Just as surprising is the lack of hardware upgrades in the Switch OLED, as confirmed by The Verge. Speaking to the outlet, a Nintendo spokesperson confirmed that the “Nintendo Switch (OLED model) does not have a new CPU, or more RAM, from previous Nintendo Switch models.” There was some speculation on this issue, as Nintendo vaguely lists the console’s CPU/GPU combo as an “Nvidia custom Tegra processor.” That language stayed the same between the base Nintendo Switch and the OLED model, and now it’s been confirmed that they are the same.

If it wasn’t obvious, this isn’t the “Switch Pro” that some were hoping for. Previously, it was rumored that the mobile console’s next hardware revision would come with vastly improved performance, boasting 4K resolutions while docked and support for Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling tech.

Otto Kratky
Former Digital Trends Contributor
Otto Kratky is a freelance writer with many homes. You can find his work at Digital Trends, GameSpot, and Gamepur. If he's…
Nintendo Switch 2 launch day buying guide: what you need and what you don’t
The Switch 2 next to a TV with Mario Kart.

All those years of anticipation have finally paid off. The Nintendo Switch 2 is out now, giving players a brand new console to play around with. If you're planning on getting one, know that it's not just a console you'll likely buy. The Switch 2 is launching with a whole mess of accessories, from controllers to Nintendo's own webcam. If you tried to buy everything, you'd quickly find yourself spending way more than $450.

We're here to help you cut through an overwhelming list of launch day products. We've put together a quick buying guide that's built to help you focus in on what accessories and games you'll need and which you can skip. I've broken this down into must buys, nice to haves, and luxuries. Remember: You don't need to buy everything at once. Pick and choose what you think you need so you can make your Switch 2 shopping experience a little less daunting.

Read more
Nintendo Switch 2: Watch the first unboxing videos here
The Switch 2 being unboxed.

The Nintendo Switch 2 launches globally on Thursday, June 5, and the first unboxing videos for the new device are starting to drop.

But first, just a quick reminder about what we’re looking at here. The Switch 2, in case the hype has somehow passed you by, is the highly anticipated successor to the original Switch, which came out in 2017.

Read more
I just got my Nintendo Switch 2 and its faster eShop is already a step up
The Nintendo eShop appears on a Switch 2 screen.

Ahead of the Switch 2's launch, Nintendo assured players that it had revamped the system's eShop this time around. While we didn't get too many glimpses of that ahead of release, Digital Trends can now confirm just what has been upgraded. The new eShop is faster, features more sorting options, and even includes video previews.

Digital Trends received its Nintendo Switch 2 unit on Wednesday morning, one day ahead of its June 5 launch. While a full review is coming once we're able to test it in depth, we were able to access the eShop and see exactly what has changed.

Read more