Nintendo has officially revealed all regarding its next big console and successor to 2017’s Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 is a clear upgrade in many areas compared to the Switch, Switch Lite and Switch OLED, it might be less apparent how it compares to Valve’s two handheld PCs, the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED.
Keep reading to discover all the major differences between the Switch 2 and Steam Deck/Steam Deck OLED to learn more about how they compare and which handheld gaming device is right for you.
Price
The Switch 2 is currently open for pre-orders with prices starting at $449/£395 for the console alone or $499/£429 when bundled with Mario Kart World. The console is set to officially launch on June 5 2025.
The Steam Deck launched in 2022 with prices currently starting at $399/£349 for the 256GB model, with the 64GB and 512GB variations having been phased out. The Steam Deck OLED, meanwhile, arrived in 2023 is available with 512GB of storage for $549/£479 or 1TB for $649/£569.
The Steam Deck Docking Station is sold separately and costs $89/£69.
The Switch 2 has magnetic controllers
One of the biggest upgrades coming to Switch 2 compared to its predecessor are the new Joy-Con controllers. While these Joy-Cons look similar to those on the original Switch, Nintendo has made a number of improvements.
The first is that the Joy-Cons now snap onto the display magnetically and can be removed using a release button on the back. The Joy-Cons also include mouse controls now, giving users a new way to control them.
The Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED do not feature detachable controllers as the PC is generally designed to be used single player and in handheld mode. They also don’t have a mouse mode for this reason.
One unique control you will find on the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED are the touchpads on either side of the screen. These are primarily used in situations where a mouse would be required on a traditional such as right- and left-clicking, though they can also be used for typing and other in-game actions.
The Steam Deck is available with an OLED display
Both the Switch 2 and Steam Deck are portable gaming devices with built-in screens, but the Steam Deck OLED maintains an edge with its OLED display.
While you can save by opting for the cheaper LCD Steam Deck, spending more on the Steam Deck OLED will get you a 7.4-inch OLED display. This screen is larger than the LCD option with slimmer bezels, deeper blacks and more vivid colours.
The use of OLED technology also means it’ll likely offer deeper blacks and brighter whites than the larger 7.9-inch Switch 2. That isn’t even to mention the potential battery saving benefits of OLED technology.
If you would prefer an OLED display, you can opt for the older Switch OLED. However, this console misses out on many of the new features arriving with the Switch 2, along with support for Switch 2 games.
The Switch 2 is better-designed for TV play
The Switch 2 has a modular design ideal for both on-the-go gaming and hooking up to a TV to play on a larger screen. This is made possible thanks to the included dock and removable controllers and enables multiplayer gaming as well as resolutions of up to 4K with HDR.
While the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED can be streamed to a TV in 4K or even 8K where supported, you’ll need to pay extra for the dock or a USB-C to HDMI cable to connect the device. You’ll also need to pick up a controller or two as the ones on the Steam Deck are non-removable. This makes the whole process a bit more convoluted than it is when gaming at home on the Switch 2.
The Switch 2 supports physical games as well as digital
Finally, the Switch 2 offers more ways to play games, along with a different assortment of titles to choose from.
Like the original Nintendo Switch, the Switch 2 supports physical games, digital games and the newer virtual game cards, which are digital games that can be loaned to people in your Nintendo Account family group for up to two weeks at a time. The Switch 2 is also backwards compatible, meaning you can play titles made for the original Switch.
The Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED, on the other hand, have no game cartridge slot, meaning you’ll need to rely on digital copies of games from Steam or other supported platforms. This gives you access to a vast library of PC games on the go, making it an easy choice for any PC gamer looking to take their favourite titles on the go.
The Switch 2, on the other hand, is compatible with Switch and Switch 2 titles from an array of stores and the Nintendo eShop. These include Nintendo-exclusive franchises like Super Mario, Animal Crossing, Pokémon, Kirby, Splatoon and more, as well as popular titles from third-party developers, both cross-platform and exclusive.
Early verdict
The main advantages to the Switch 2 are how easy it is to play games on a TV and in-person multiplayer, while the Steam Deck OLED bests the Nintendo console with its OLED screen.
Both consoles also offer different games and ways to access them, though you’ll want to wait for our review of the Switch 2 to hear our final verdict on how these two portable gaming devices compare.