Nintendo Switch Lite Specification Review

Hey, you're probably pretty familiar with the Nintendo Switch. But this isn't a Nintendo Switch, this is a Nintendo Switch Lite. Which as the name suggests is a Switch but smaller. This is our first chance to really test out the Switch Lite for ourselves and it's a portable version of the Switch. It's sort of like a Game Boy to the Switch's console almost you see the Joy-Con don't attach. There is a proper directional pad instead of the separate buttons. Which is fantastic to play on. Another weird quirk on the Switch Lite is there's no auto-brightness censor. You notice that it's just there's no censor on the front. So you can manually adjust brightness, but you can't have it automatically do that just based on ambient light in the room.

Nintendo Switch Lite specifications

Although the Switch Lite is cut down in size and is restricted to handheld play only, it is still as capably specced on the inside as its older sibling.

• CPU/GPU: Custom Nvidia Tegra processing
• RAM: Thought to be 4GB like the Switch, but unconfirmed
• Storage: 32GB - upgradeable by microSD card
• Connections: Wi-Fi (802.11ac), Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, USB-C (charging-enabled)
• Touchscreen: 5.5-inches, 1280x720 resolution, LCD
• Speakers: Stereo
• Battery: 3,570mAh - can last up to six hours with three hours charging time from flat to full
• Measures: 91.1 x 208 x 13.9mm
• Weight: 275g

Nintendo Switch Lite Colours and Models

The Nintendo Switch Lite is available in three colour options: yellow, grey or turquoise. Special edition models will also be made available, with the first being a Pokemon Nintendo Switch Lite Zacian and Zamazenta Edition that will be on limited sale from 8 November 2019.

Nintendo Switch Lite Performance

The Nintendo Switch Lite has essentially the same performance as the Switch, except that the Lite has a slightly longer battery life of 3-7 hours, about 30 minutes more than the original Switch, and 1-2 hours less than the upgraded Switch model entering stores (although Nintendo warns that this depends on the games you play).

However, it is definitely worth noting that the Switch Lite does not come with HD Rumble or an IR Motion Camera. The device is made to solely play handheld games, and will therefore only play Nintendo Switch games that support handheld mode.

That's not to say you can't play games which don't support handheld mode, but you would have to wirelessly connect Joy-Cons for this to work (and buy them plus their charging grip separately). We found that connecting Joy-Cons allows you to use HD Rumble.

At a hands-on preview event, a Nintendo representative explained that the console will be compatible with more devices than just the Joy-Cons, but what exactly would not be revealed until a later date.

The following games are unsuitable for the Switch Lite: 1-2 Switch, Super Mario Party, and Nintendo Labo accessory kits. While games which require Rumble could be played with Joy-Cons attached, we found that trying to play with more than one person on the Lite's small screen isn't exactly practical - so we wouldn't advise trying to take on party games as the device wasn't built for this.

Despite missing these two features, the Switch Lite still has an accelerometer, gyroscope, and brightness sensor. That means that you can still use gyro controls in games like Breath of the Wild – tilting the console to aim the bow for instance – and the screen's brightness adjusts depending on your surrounding.

Wireless online play still means you can play with friends (just not necessarily couch co-op) as we were able to play Mario Kart 8 Deluxe online with ease. If anything, all the games we played felt less clunky due to the compact nature of the device.

Nintendo Switch Lite Price

The Nintendo Switch Lite launched in multiple countries around the world on 20 September 2019. You will have to wait until 8 November for the special edition Zacian and Zamazentra model (featured above).

It costs £199.99 in the UK, $199.99 in the US - including the Pokemon special edition model. The grey, yellow and turquoise models are available from numerous retailers in your location. While you can pre-order the Pokemon variants now.

Considering the standard Switch is $299.99 in the States and £279.99 in the UK, the £199/$199 price point is definitely kinder to your pocket.

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