Hardware Regret buying OLED - Considering Lite

[rino99]

Hi Guys!

Bought an OLED today.

I've been and will only play handheld, no docking ever and the general advice was to go for OLED over lite anyways for handheld use. But after logging in a couple of hours of Tears of Kingdom I just can't understand how can you hold this device comfortably. In 30 seconds my hands start to cramp due to weight and awkward holding angle- its like holding a pane of glass. My use case only consists of lying in bed or sitting while playing and I find myself unimpressed. Yes the screen is gorgeous but I can't focus on that while my hands and arms even my shoulders are in discomfort. I am writing this from the comfort of my PC while my hands are still aching.

So my question is this: Is lite really more comfortable? I can sell this for the price I bought since it was secondhand no problem and get a cheaper lite. Would you recommend that? Again will only be playing handheld lying down or sitting. I have a gaming PC so nintendo switch would be only for smaller games when I am away from home or just want to lie down and relax. If I want to play a AAA game I will do so on my PC anyways.

Also asked about on reddit and I apologize if this isn't the forum to ask about but I am a bit disappointed in nintendo, last device of theirs I played on was a ds lite with an r4 card as a kid so I thought that a chipped OLED would be the way to go as a more modern device, but maybe lite is instead.

 

[Hayato213]

You can get a skull and co now call savage raven switch oled case if weight isn't a problem, if OLED is too heavy for you then you could get a switch lite but it doesn't have an OLED screen unless you get the super5 oled kit.

 

[SonyUSA]

Hi Guys!

Bought an OLED today.

I've been and will only play handheld, no docking ever and the general advice was to go for OLED over lite anyways for handheld use. But after logging in a couple of hours of Tears of Kingdom I just can't understand how can you hold this device comfortably. In 30 seconds my hands start to cramp due to weight and awkward holding angle- its like holding a pane of glass. My use case only consists of lying in bed or sitting while playing and I find myself unimpressed. Yes the screen is gorgeous but I can't focus on that while my hands and arms even my shoulders are in discomfort. I am writing this from the comfort of my PC while my hands are still aching.

So my question is this: Is lite really more comfortable? I can sell this for the price I bought since it was secondhand no problem and get a cheaper lite. Would you recommend that? Again will only be playing handheld lying down or sitting. I have a gaming PC so nintendo switch would be only for smaller games when I am away from home or just want to lie down and relax. If I want to play a AAA game I will do so on my PC anyways.

Also asked about on reddit and I apologize if this isn't the forum to ask about but I am a bit disappointed in nintendo, last device of theirs I played on was a ds lite with an r4 card as a kid so I thought that a chipped OLED would be the way to go as a more modern device, but maybe lite is instead.

Do NOT get a Lite, you will be disappointed time and time again by the lack of features and small size (hand cramps). As you continue to play your OLED your arm muscles will adapt to the weight and angle it previously had not needed to maintain. The discomfort will eventually disappear and it will become a non-issue!

 

[rino99]

OK, will give it some more time then and see ohw I feel in a month! Also decided to get the skull and co grip perhaps it will fix my issues

 

[Hayato213]

OK, will give it some more time then and see ohw I feel in a month! Also decided to get the skull and co grip perhaps it will fix my issues

I recommend this one

https://www.savage-raven.com/collec...bundle-for-switch-oled?variant=39439035138121

 

[emigre]

All switch models have awful ergonomics. Just get a grip.

 

[namename11]

Yes, you should 100% get a Switch Lite if you find the Switch OLED too heavy. I had difficulty picking up heavy consoles for a short period due to tendinitis and the Switch Lite helped a lot as it weighs much less and is smaller/handier.

It isn't ideal if you want the best homebrew experience but perfect for bite-size gaming sessions like on a bus.

 

[rino99]

I recommend this one

https://www.savage-raven.com/collec...bundle-for-switch-oled?variant=39439035138121

Well, hopefully this fixes my issues, feeling a bit down now since I hyped myself so much for OLED only to end up in pain and regret

 

[rino99]

Yes, you should 100% get a Switch Lite if you find the Switch OLED too heavy. I had difficulty picking up heavy consoles for a short period due to tendinitis and the Switch Lite helped a lot as it weighs much less and is smaller/handier.

It isn't ideal if you want the best homebrew experience but perfect for bite-size gaming sessions like on a bus.

I was actually going to, but the seller at the store pushed me towards OLED saying that I will %100 regret getting lite due to screen. I remember even there when comparing them I actually complained about weight lol

 

[namename11]

I was actually going to, but the seller at the store pushed me towards OLED saying that I will %100 regret getting lite due to screen. I remember even there when comparing them I actually complained about weight lol

The screen can "feel" better or worse depending on your personal tastes. I only use my Switch OLED since my hands are ok now and only for full 720p games as I love the pixel perfect jaggies. Anything else is Lite only since the smaller screen gives off a feeling of sharpness.

Do NOT get the OLED screen for Switch Lite.!

 

[rino99]

The screen can "feel" better or worse depending on your personal tastes. I only use my Switch OLED since my hands are ok now and only for full 720p games as I love the pixel perfect jaggies. Anything else is Lite only since the smaller screen gives off a feeling of sharpness.

Do NOT get the OLED screen for Switch Lite.!

I can't justify the cost for getting the OLED screen for lite to be honest. Tech is very hard to get in my country anyways no aliexpress, no ebay, imports are heavily tariffed and they are starting to restrict so I imagine in near future even mod chips will be very hard to get. I thought I might as well get a switch before that happens

 

[RoycePudding]

Switch ergonomics kinda suck on all versions. I personally enjoy the switch lite form factor because I play many RPGs. Anything that requires the right stick and triggers simultaneously is rough on the lite IMO

As for replacing the OLED, I do have the Super5 mod and can generally praise it. It's definitely an upgrade over the lite's original screen but has it's own set of issues. Super5 has scaling issues (720p image scaled to 1080p panel which degrades certain artstyles/text) as well as OLED black crush. Also, the screen can be hard to order with very long fulfillment times

 

[rino99]

Switch ergonomics kinda suck on all versions. I personally enjoy the switch lite form factor because I play many RPGs. Anything that requires the right stick and triggers simultaneously is rough on the lite IMO

As for replacing the OLED, I do have the Super5 mod and can generally praise it. It's definitely and upgrade over the lite's original screen but has it's own set of issues. Super5 has scaling issues (720p image scaled to 1080p panel which degrades certain artstyles/text) as well as OLED black crush. Also, the screen can be hard to order with very long fulfillment times

Thanks, I was a bit scared while posting to be honest because lite has so many haters and any complaints about OLED is seen as personal attack by some people. But people on this forum are the most sensible I've seen to be honest with compared to the other forums. If you guys say get lite you give unbiased-impartial facts, if you say stay with OLED again you give facts. OLED mod on lite? You explain clearly. You might think that is the normal response but I assure you people are so illogical that I've been mocked to hell for even daring to ask about lite, in the end we all want to enjoy games but they take it so personally So I thank you and everyone else for their suggestions.

 

[cearp]

I'd keep the oled and get this controller for it - https://nyxigame.com/products/nyxi-wizard-2-tmr-joy-pad-orange-special-edition

 

[RoycePudding]

OLED mod on lite? You explain clearly.

Super5 is an OLED mod for the switch lite. Not perfect but still an improvement from the switch lite original screen. It can be very frustrating to order so be prepared

And don't worry about choosing the "perfect" version. All that matters is playing your games

 

[rino99]

I'd keep the oled and get this controller for it - https://nyxigame.com/products/nyxi-wizard-2-tmr-joy-pad-orange-special-edition

Bought the device itself for around 180USD so this would be very expensive for me. However I've been considering Mobopad m6s as budget option

 

[lwiz]

Yep, the bottom line is that you buy the system for YOURSELF, not for store clerk nor for random GBATemp user, nor for a friend. (Went myself for Switch (nearly) Ultimate - no OLED though) as it was the best system fit for me and my gaming.)

 

[rino99]

Super5 is an OLED mod for the switch lite. Not perfect but still an improvement from the switch lite original screen. It can be very frustrating to order so be prepared

And don't worry about choosing the "perfect" version. All that matters is playing your games

I meant that you explained it very clearly mate sorry if it sounded otherwise, now reading for second time I realise it reads as if I was asking for clarification rather rudely

Post automatically merged: Feb 11, 2026

Yep, the bottom line is that you buy the system for YOURSELF, not for store clerk nor for random GBATemp user, nor for a friend. (Went myself for Switch (nearly) Ultimate - no OLED though) as it was the best system fit for me and my gaming.)

Your comment made it click for me friend, thanks; I will sit and evaluate my needs honestly before making a decision

 

[Marc_LFD]

The OLED is the best model of all, in fact, I have the Zelda TotK and it looks so nice I just have it for display. But damn, the picture quality is vastly superior than V1/V2/Lite and even NS2.

I wouldn't use NS1 JC, to be honest, instead Hori Split Pro Pad or CRKD GCN Pad because I just don't like it at all. Fine for display, of course.

HORI SPP

CRKD GCN

P.S. NS2 JCs are really good so Nintendo learned from their mistakes.

 

[wamble]

I have the Switch Lite. I don't want a device a portable gaming device much bigger than this. It feels 'just right', size-wise.

I personally do not like to use wireless (bluetooth) joycons, for health & other reasons, but I won't go into that here unless you want to know more. No reason for me to disconnect & use them wirelessly unless a game forces it on me. Switch Lite is a very solid-feeling, not-too-big device. If you don't count Nintendo's crappy failing sticks (which is the same in the OLED model), it just feels solid.

smaller screen (5.5 inch versus 7 inch)
If screen size doesn't bother you in general gaming, reading fine text in games might. I had an issue reading small text until I discovered this:
https://en-americas-support.nintend...id/44641/~/how-to-use-zoom-on-nintendo-switch I had the same problem on the Sony Vita until (finally) discovering a similar zoom 'shortcut' feature.

OLED
I find most OLED screens oversaturated, unnatural & dumb, even though they do have deeper blacks, which is nice. However, I don't value this that much. I also have longevity concerns about OLED, which - as far as I'm aware - they still haven't 100% solved. I much prefer the non-OLED Vita than the OLED Vita, for example.

So the choice you make depends on your priorities. I find the Switch Lite screen just fine, and I personally don't like portables that are too 'jumbo', but everyone is different.