Over a week ago, Nintendo announced the all-new Nintendo Switch Lite! Available in September, the new Switch Lite, will come in 3 colours – yellow, turquoise and gray.
(Image Credits: Nintendo)
Nintendo will also be releasing a special Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield-themed Switch Lite. The special edition Switch Lite features the illustrations of Pokémon Zacian and Zamazenta. The Pokémon themed Switch Lite will be released on 8 November 2019, a week before Pokémon Sword and Pokémon Shield come to the Switch.
Both the standard and special edition Switch Lites will launch at a recommended retail price of US$199.99.
Pre-orders are currently open on Lazada and Shopee and last I checked, the Switch Lite will cost S$299 to S$357. S$299 seems like a pretty good price to me. However, it is your choice who to put your money with. You won’t find me putting my money with unfamiliar merchants.
What are the differences between the Switch and the Switch Lite?
| Console | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch Lite |
|---|---|---|
| Available Modes | Portable mode and TV mode | Portable mode only |
| Screen Size | 6.2 inch | 5.5 inch |
| Controllers | Detachable joycons with rumble | Built-in joycons. No rumble |
| Kickstand | Yes | No |
| Games Compatibility | All games | Only games that support handheld mode |
| Battery Hours | 2.5 to 6.5 hours | 3 to 7 hours |
| Price | US$299.99 | US$199.99 |
| Weight | 400g | 280g |
The table above summarized the key differences between the Switch and the Switch Lite.
There are certainly tradeoffs for the Switch Lite. At US$100 cheaper, the Switch Lite is a portable-only console and doesn’t have any HDMI port to output to an external display.
Joycons on the Switch Lite are also built-in so there’s no way you can play offline multiplayer games with your friends right out of the box (I am sure this can be resolved by an external controller).
The 5.5 inch display and 280g weight however, meant that the Switch Lite is a lot more portable compared to the Switch. Between the Switch and the Switch Lite, I will definitely be taking the Switch Lite out and about more often.
So who is the Switch Lite for?
I don’t think the Nintendo Switch Lite is for everyone and it is definitely not an upgrade to the existing Switch.
The Switch Lite targets an entirely different segment – consumers who are not already an existing owner of a Switch and wants a Switch at a lower price point and willing to live with the tradeoffs.
The Switch Lite is definitely not for me. I already owned a Switch. However if I have kids now, I might consider getting for them and keep the Switch to myself!
How about you? Will you get the Switch Lite?
Let me know in the comments below!
PS: If you are looking to buy a Nintendo Switch right now or considering to get a Nintendo Switch Lite
