Topic: Is the Switch 2 screen really that bad?

So I'm in the market for a handheld console, and I'm torn between getting either a Switch OLED or a Switch 2.

I've already owned a Switch OLED in the past, and I know just how beautiful that screen is, and how good the battery life is. Had tons of fun with it, but then started using it less and less, and eventually traded the console a few years ago, something I now regret since more Switch 1 games that I enjoy have come out in the meantime. I also miss not having a portable console, generally speaking.

As I said, I'm also considering getting a Switch 2. Now this is a console that sooner or later I will buy, cause of future first party Nintendo titles (don't really care about 3rd party, I have a PC and a PS5 Pro for those). I've never had the chance to get my hands on one sadly (no store in my area allows it), but I'm really worried about that screen. I could get over the fact that it's an LCD instead of an OLED... but that response time sounds like a real problem to me. I'm someone who really notices these things, and even from some videos on YouTube, the response time is kinda noticeable to me. I'm someone who's always used the Switch in portable mode I would say 60-70% of the time, so the screen is pretty important to me. I've also heard that some Switch 1 games look bad on the Switch 2 screen, since it's not an ideal resolution for some of those titles.

I do have an LG C1 as main TV, so when I wanna dock the console, there's no problem there. I'm sure it'll look great.

I'm also worried that there's probably not going to be a new 3D Mario or Zelda game this year, so 2026 is not looking too exciting to me with what they've announced so far. And as much as I'm sure I will like DK Bananza and Mario Kart World, I'm in no rush to play them (I'm extremely interested in Metroid Prime 4, but that's on Switch 1 as well, so).

Where I live Switch OLED is 320€, Switch 2 is 490€ with Mario Kart World. I can afford either one. Don't wanna go with second hand. Which one should I go with in your opinion? Does the quality of the Switch 2 screen compromise its overall enjoyment, to the point where getting a Switch OLED while waiting for a Switch 2 OLED in a few years might be a worthy option? Or do the other improvements of the Switch 2 make up for it? I know it may sound like an unreasonable dilemma, but I'm really struggling with my decision here xD

Thanks in advance.

I was in a similar situation after the Switch 2 release. I had the og switch and after trying the SWOLED at a friend's I saw how much better it looked. I decided to sell my og switch and by a swoled in Aliexpress for 210€, after a friend had done the same without issues. It's a Hong Kong region Switch oled, that means, comes with an english style power cable, it came with an adapter, so no problem there.
It was brand new and I'm really pleased with the new screen, I decided I want to wait for the SW2 OLED, as there are still lots of games I want to play on the regular switch.

Summary: If you can buy a cheap SWOLED like I did, do it. Otherwise consider the SW2 if you don't mind the LCD and its quirks.

The Switch 2 screen isn't the best. It's not PSP-1000 bad but it is noticeable depending on the content. It hasn't put me off personally though and I really enjoy the system, though I play in docked mode 99% of the time.

I don't know if there will be an OLED version but, given the trends we're seeing, I doubt the price will fall for the current model. If anything, it's likely to rise as the Xbox has. So if price is a factor then it will make little difference whether you get one now or in a year's time!

Oof, just got flashbacks from 20 years ago of the PSP-1000 screen, haha.

Well, my "fear" here is also to see a Switch 2 V2 in a relatively short period of time, like happened with the OG Switch, which had noticeably better battery life. There's also suspicions (nothing confirmed) of a screen lottery going on, or even some recent models with improved screen response time, as referenced by John in a recent DF Direct Weekly. Maybe there's something to it, maybe not... who knows.

On top of that, we still don't know if there's going to be some big hitters from Nintendo this year. So I'm very uncertain about the Switch 2 at the moment, not sure if it's the right time for me to get one. So I'm probably going to get a SWOLED for the time being, which I already know and love, and will serve as a stopgap while waiting to see what happens with Switch 2.

I find the Switch 2 screen pretty awful, if I played in handheld for anything other than testing what it is like I would have waited for the OLED version but I pretty much only play docked.

Thankfully I only bought the Switch 2 to play games in docked mode because, personally, I find the LCD screen to be massively underwhelming after using the Switch OLED. It isn't quite the deal breaker it might have been because the reason I bought a Switch OLED in the first place was because Switch games generally looked terrible on my 55" LG OLED TV so it was a compromise. I always wanted a Switch successor that was powerful enough to run games at a decent image quality and with Switch 2 I definitely have that, at least for updated Switch games and native Switch 2 titles.

As for the Switch 2's screen, it is disappointing for two reasons: one, the screen itself claims it supports HDR but in reality it doesn't get bright enough for it to have any impact. Two, it is hard not to notice how smeary everything looks in motion. I was playing the Dragon Quest VII Reimagined demo on my Switch 2 in portable mode while looking after my dad and just could not get over how awful the game looked when panning the camera or running across the map. Even scrolling through the icons on the home screen is paintful. It actually hurt my eyes and just diminishes the portable experience in my opinion.

I've no doubt that Nintendo will release a Switch 2 OLED model at some point and I may 'bite' if the screen has decent HDR support because, in terms of clarity, the 1080p resolution is actually really nice and is an upgrade over the Steam Deck OLED. Dragon Quest VII Reimagined definitely looks a lot nicer on Switch 2 than it does on Steam Deck, at least when things are not moving...

Of course, not everyone will notice the smeary LCD screen on Switch 2 but it does remind me of my very first LCD monitor with its ulta slow pixel response times that I got with my PC from PC World 26 years ago and that just speaks volumes to me at just how bad the Switch 2's screen really is.

@Dead_Pixel
A bit out of the box here, but have you considered alternative handheld options or is the Switch platform set in stone for you? The reason I ask is because a Switch 2 (bundle) isn't too far off of a 512GB Steamdeck OLED in price. The latter offering more versatility and access to lower priced games.

@NetshadeX
Well it is a console that I'll have to buy sooner or later, although I'm in no particular rush at this point, not until a new 3D Mario or Zelda gets released. I did consider a Steam Deck OLED cause I think it's a great device, but I'm not too comfortable in spending almost 600€ for a handheld that's been around for years and it's starting to feel dated (although i mostly play old games). I will consider a second hand one though... if I can find it in good conditions in the 350-400€ range, I will think about it for sure.

I bought the Switch 2 and I still have my switch 1 oled. The screen hasn't been an issue for me, it's not as good but in game I was not noticing the smear or issue with motion clarity. I have played MKW, Hades and Absolum. Now I considering to sell my Oled.

I really never noticed the bad response times until I first used the Virtual Boy accessory 2 days ago. I guess it literally filling your field of vision makes it a lot more obvious.

I would say it's underwhelming but not bad, I usually don't notice the ghosting, but some people are more sensitive to that sort of stuff than others. The colour reproduction is really good, vibrant and pleasant. Much better then the bland and washed out look of the steam decks lcd. Of course it's not as vibrant and nice as an oled screen, but when comparing to other lcd's I think it's good.

From what I've heard are oled's with 120hz and vrr quite expensive, that's why the steam deck oled doesn't support vrr.

I honestly don't know, I've used the screen for a few minutes when setting the console up, after that it never left the dock.

But the little I did use, I didn't notice anything "game breaking", so it can't be all that bad.

I'm close to dropping my switch 2 and go back to my OLED for now. The screen in handheld is horrible for switch 1 games unfortunately and I don't ever play docked. Add to that there really isn't much for me to play since I really only use it for Nintendo IP, so it may be a while for a new mario or zelda 😞

It is the worst screen in my house at the moment. Even my old IPS monitor is better, since it has decent calibration and better and no smearing.

It's pretty bad, especially if you play alot 2D games. Ghosting is very noticable on side scrolling games. I was excited to finally play Bloodstained at a stable frame rate on the Switch 2 but immediately noticed the ghosting and couldn't stand it. I tried other 2D side scrollers and it's very noticable.

3D games it's less noticeable especially Switch 2 games. Haven't had any issues with Mario Kart World, DKB or Metroid Prime 4. Switch 1 3D games on the other hand is hit or miss. I noticed a lot ghosting when moving the camera in Persona 4. Games where the camera can't be moved like Zelda: Link's Awakening had no ghosting.

But yeah, it's a terrible screen. I wish I would have waited for the Switch 2 OLED but had to buy a new Switch since my OG switch battery is dying. I totally forget Nintendo does this with all their handhelds. The first version always has a terrible screen, than there is a revision that fixes it. GameBoy to GameBoy Pocket. GBA to GBA SP. DS to DS Lite. 3DS to 3DS XL. Switch to Switch OLED.

The real question is will there be a Pro variant, which Nintendo was the OG of, not Sony. GameBoy to GameBoy Color. DS to DSi. 3DS to New 3DS. Only the GBA and Switch skipped pro variants

The Switch 2 screen (apart from the motion clarity problems that most people won't notice in most games, unless you play mostly 2D sides-scrollers?), is much better than the original LCD Switch display in terms of brightness, contrast, black levels, colour reproduction etc. It must also be recognised that VRR, 1080p resolution, and sheer screen size / area increase, are all a massive upgrade over the previous consoles. Generally speaking it's close to the OLED, but still just can't quite beat it when it comes to black levels, per pixel illumination accuracy, and contrast. My recommendation would be to buy a NEW Switch 2, and see how you go - if you find yourself hankering for the OLED for titles which would particularly shine on the OLED (and for which perhaps Switch 2 upgrades are minor or non-existent), then get a USED OLED - they are very cheap right now because everyone sold them and bought a Switch 2.. also look at how the 3DS prices have rocketed up recently.. the Switch OLED is a bargain on the used market right now.. so I'd say - new Switch 2 with warranty etc.. and cheapest good condition Switch OLED you can lay your hands on... Getting one for £100 ~ £150 wouldn't be out of the question!

@Jackalx619 No DK Bananza? The game is amazing!