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How the Nintendo Switch 2 Looks (and Feels) Next to the Steam Deck and Original Switch
The Switch 2 is a little bigger and a little sleeker, but is it right for you?
Once upon a time, Nintendo had a near monopoly on the handheld gaming market. Now, with the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, not so much. In the time since the original Nintendo Switch released, there have been several other major handheld releases like the Steam Deck and the Lenovo Legion Go S. The common thread? All of these—including the Switch 2—are on the bigger end, at least compared to prior handhelds like the 3DS or PSP. If you’re like me, and ergonomics and portability matter for your handhelds, that can be a problem.
That’s why I’ve taken the liberty of snapping some photos of the Switch 2 alongside its biggest (both literally and figuratively) competitors, including the original Switch, so you can get a better idea of how it’ll actually feel once it’s in your hands.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch
First, to set a baseline, let’s compare the Switch 2 against the original Switch. Unfortunately, I don’t have a Switch OLED on hand, so for this comparison, we’re going to have to go with the launch model.
That’s not such a bad thing, though, as it’s where you’ll get the most noticeable differences. First, let's look at dimensions and weight. The Switch 2 looks like it could eat the original Switch. If you like a big screen, that’s great, but know that it’ll be a little less portable, and maybe a little less friendly to players with tiny hands. Numbers-wise, the original Switch is 4.02 x 9.41 x 0.51 inches and 0.88 pounds (or 0.65 pounds with the controllers detached), while the Switch 2 is 4.5 x 10.7 x 0.55 inches and 1.18 pounds (or 0.88 pounds with the controllers detached). That doesn’t sound like the Switch 2 has beefed up that much on paper, but in person, it feels like night and day. On the plus side, though, it’s still plenty thin, and lightweight and comfortable enough in my adult hands. It might even be more comfortable, which I’ll touch on shortly.
The Switch 2 presents a noticeable upgrade to the screen on the original Switch, coming in at 7.9 inches over the 6.2 inches of its predecessor. It’s also now 1080p (as opposed to 720p on the original) and can display content in HDR and up to 120 fps (as opposed to no HDR and 60 fps on the original). This screen is definitely a big reason why the new console is bigger, and while I wouldn’t be surprised to see a Switch 2 Lite come out down the line, it does feel worth it once you actually start playing.
Let's take a look at the dock and the controllers. The Switch 2 dock is a little taller and wider than the original Switch dock, to accommodate the bigger console and the added fan, but it shouldn’t take up too much more space in your entertainment center. The bigger deal is the new joy-con 2 controllers, which I absolutely love. At 4.57 x 0.56 x 1.2 inches vs. the 4.02 x 0.55 x 1.41 inches on the original joy-cons, they give your hand a little bit more to grab onto. I always felt like the original joy-cons were too cramped, always opting to use either a pro controller or third-party joy-con while playing instead, but the new joy-con are pretty comfortable out of the box, especially with their slightly larger buttons and sticks. You’d probably be fine not bothering to upgrade to a new controller at all now, unless you absolutely want a more traditional D-Pad.
Overall, the Switch 2 feels more adult and a little less toyetic. That’s great news for people like me, although kids might need to take some time to adjust to it.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Steam Deck
Probably the Nintendo Switch 2’s most prominent competition at the moment, the Steam Deck is a handheld gaming PC from Valve that launched in 2022 and later got an OLED upgrade with the same dimensions and weight, but a slightly larger screen. Again, I have the original model, but both use pretty much the same overall build.
If the Switch 2 looked like it could eat the original Switch, then the Steam Deck looks like it could eat the Switch 2. At 11.73 x 4.60 x 1.93 inches, it is significantly thicker and wider than the Switch 2, if not especially taller. It’s also heavier at 1.41 pounds.
Personally, I think it’s a bit weighty (although my husband doesn’t mind as much), but part of the extra height and depth comes from a purposeful choice to make it more comfortable and usable overall. The Steam Deck comes with built-in grips that make it easier to hold than the Switch 2, at least for me, even taking into account the improved ergonomics on the new joy-con 2 controllers. And with the extra space those grips need, Valve has also taken the liberty of adding in large touchpads on either side of the device, as well as back buttons on the grips themselves. These open up new ways to play that aren’t possible on the Switch 2, and are extra convenient when navigating the Steam Deck’s desktop mode. However, they do make the Steam Deck a bit less portable, as they add some bulkiness to the device around its edges. That's why the device sounds thicker on paper than it appears in some photos.
As for that desktop mode, it really points to the kicker here: The Steam Deck is, essentially, a shrunken gaming PC, while the Switch 2 is more akin to an overgrown PSP. The devices are kind of aiming for separate goals, and taking that into account, each achieves them pretty well. Sure, the Steam Deck is thicker, but when compared to even the smallest of standard gaming PCs, it’s an impressive form factor for the price.
What’s less impressive next to the Switch 2, unfortunately, is the screen. It’s only 7 inches on the base model and 7.4 inches on the OLED model, both of which are smaller than the Switch 2’s display. It also tops out at 800p and 60 fps, both of which are lower than on the Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Lenovo Legion Go S
Finally, I want to compare the Switch 2 against another device I’m reviewing right now: the Lenovo Legion Go S. This device from Lenovo is the latest in third-party Steam Deck alternatives, and it’s especially interesting as it’s the first to run Valve’s SteamOS. There are plenty of other competing handheld gaming PCs at the moment, but for my money, this is the one to pay attention to.
At 11.77 x 5.02 x 0.89 inches, it is a little taller and wider than even the Steam Deck, though not by much. And at 1.61 pounds, it’s heavier, although the grips are slightly more bulbous, so I actually think it’s slightly more comfortable to hold.
The key improvement here—aside from internals—is the screen, which is eight inches, 1200p, and supports 120 fps. That’s an improvement on even the Switch 2. However, you also do get only one touchpad here (which is much smaller) and only two grip buttons. On the plus side, the triggers have a switch that lets you adjust their travel, so you can turn them into twitchier hair triggers if you’d like.
Overall, this is a pretty different market segment than the Switch 2, so I doubt they’ll hamper each other much. It’s chonkier, but—like the Steam Deck—for good reason. Handheld PCs need to be bigger overall, since their components aren’t always made with such small form factors in mind. But on the plus side, since these devices are already bigger, they usually add in some extra ergonomics and controls to compensate.
I suspect Nintendo will keep following this sleeker, Apple-esque design trend, while handheld gaming PCs will feel a bit more comfortable stretching their legs, at least until a potential Steam Deck 2 and even wider market adoption. There’s room for both, but if you’re wondering which would better fit in your bag, now you know. As for the smaller, more toyetic consoles of the past, well, even if the Switch 2 is smaller than the competition, it’s still bigger than what I played with growing up. For fun, here’s a Switch 2 next to a 3DS XL.
