Nintendo Switch Lite
Nintendo · Released Sep 2019 · Lite (HDH-001)
The cheaper, handheld-only Switch with a built-in d-pad — the most affordable way into Nintendo's enormous Switch library.
Pros
- +Affordable entry to the Switch library
- +Pocketable with a proper d-pad
- +Great handheld-mode battery life
- +Official retro classics via Switch Online
Cons
- −Cannot dock to a TV
- −Joy-Con-style stick drift can occur
- −No HD rumble or detachable controllers
What can it play?
Emulation performance by platform, based on real-world testing.
Full specifications
Hardware
- Chipset (SoC)
- NVIDIA Tegra X1 (custom)
- CPU
- Quad-core ARM Cortex-A57
- GPU
- NVIDIA Maxwell, 256 cores
- RAM
- 4 GB LPDDR4
- Storage
- 32GB internal (+ microSD)
- Weight
- 277 g
- Dimensions
- 208 x 92 x 14 mm
- Cooling
- Active (fan)
Display
- Size
- 5.5″
- Resolution
- 1280x720
- Panel
- IPS LCD
- Refresh rate
- 60 Hz
- Touchscreen
- Yes
Battery & Connectivity
- Battery
- 3570 mAh
- Real-world life
- ~4 hours
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi 5
- Bluetooth
- Bluetooth 4.1
- Ports
- USB-C, 3.5mm headphone, microSD
- Expandable storage
- Yes (microSD)
Controls
- Analog sticks
- 2
- D-pad
- Yes
- Face buttons
- Yes
- Analog triggers
- No
- Gyroscope
- Yes
- Hall effect sticks
- No
Software & custom firmware
Ships with: Nintendo Switch OS
Also plays natively: Nintendo Switch games (handheld), Switch Online classics
No third-party custom firmware tracked for this device.
Our verdict
The Switch Lite strips out the TV dock and detachable Joy-Con to deliver a smaller, lighter, cheaper handheld-only Switch with a welcome integrated d-pad. You lose TV output and HD rumble, but you gain pocketability, better handheld battery life, and the entire Switch library plus official retro classics via Nintendo Switch Online. For portable players it is excellent value.