The new Nintendo Switch OLED model is now available for pre-order at select retailers. Coming in at $350 USD, this iteration of Nintendo's popular console will release on October 8th, 2021.
US retailers that will take pre-orders for the Nintendo Switch OLED model include Amazon, Best Buy, GameStop, and Target (special thanks to Wario64 for pointing these out). As of this post, most storefronts have a "check back soon for pre-orders" notice on the landing page — though that will surely change pretty quick in the next few hours.
Related: Nintendo Will Make New OLED Switch Dock Available Separately For LAN Upgrade
Check out Nintendo's official announcement for the Switch OLED model below.
Pre-order #NintendoSwitch (OLED model) starting today, 7/15 at 12pm PT.
Check with select retailers for more details. https://t.co/17dPY3iUDx pic.twitter.com/SWhUQiDrex— Nintendo of America (@NintendoAmerica) July 15, 2021
While this OLED model might not be the much sought-after Switch Pro you were hoping for, it does sport some slight upgrades to the console's hardware. The OLED screen will make your games pop with much more vibrant colors, and it is coming in at just over 7 inches as opposed to the 6.2 inches of previous Switch models. However, the OLED model is also about 0.71 pounds, a bit heavier than the original Switch's 0.66 pounds. It also has 64GB worth of internal storage (double that of the original Switch) and 9 hours' worth of battery life. There's a new wide adjustable stand as well, so the console won't tip over as easily while undocked.
As for other regions, the OLED model is £309.99 in the UK, and $449.99 CDN, according to Best Buy Canada. The prices are rather steep no matter how you slice it, especially since Nintendo isn't addressing the colossal issue of joy-con drift with the OLED Switch — far and away the console's biggest problem that many people are resolving themselves since Nintendo won't. Which is a huge bummer for those of us hoping drift might become a thing of the past.
Though if you're in desperate need of a new Switch, the OLED model seems like a decent investment. In any case, you'll find out if it's worth the cost when the Nintendo Switch OLED model launches this fall on October 8th, 2021.
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