Torn between the newly launched Nintendo Swap 2 and the Steam Deck collection? We’re right here to assist.
Though the Nintendo Swap 2 and Steam Deck OLED are examples of the most effective recreation consoles at present obtainable, the 2 supply a mess of variations that will make yet another appropriate than the opposite. With that in thoughts, which console do you have to purchase?
That will help you determine, we’ve in contrast the Nintendo Swap 2 to the Steam Deck collection, together with each the unique and Steam Deck OLED, under.
Value and Availability
Eight years after the launch of the Nintendo Swap, the Swap 2 was lastly made obtainable in June 2025 and has an RRP of £395/$449.99. This worth is for the console, dock and two removable controllers, alongside all of the cables you want. Not included is a MicroSD Specific card, Nintendo Swap On-line membership or a USB-C digicam.
The Steam Deck launched in 2022 with costs at present beginning at £349/$399 for the 256GB mannequin. The Steam Deck OLED arrived again in 2023 and is out there with 512GB of storage for £479/$549 or 1TB for £569/$649.
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The Steam Deck Docking Station is bought individually and prices £69/$89.
Design
The Nintendo Swap 2 is a barely extra versatile console, and designed to be performed in three alternative ways
Swap 2 is thinner and weighs lower than each the Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED
Each Steam Decks assist microSD playing cards
Though the Nintendo Swap 2 doesn’t look too dissimilar from both the Steam Deck or Steam Deck OLED, because of its hybrid type, there are various variations between them.
Firstly, the Nintendo Swap 2 is made up of a 7.9-inch pill and two magnetically removable Pleasure-Con controllers that match right into a 4K-supported docking station, which connects through HDMI right into a TV.
Nintendo Swap 2 kickstand. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
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The touchscreen pill itself is provided with two USB-C ports, a redesigned recreation card slot, a 3.5mm headphone jack and a newly designed kickstand to carry the console up when in tabletop mode.
All of those nifty options imply the Swap 2 is designed to be performed one among 3 ways: handheld, tabletop or TV modes.
Nintendo Swap 2 in dock. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
Though the Steam Deck collection doesn’t come geared up with a devoted TV dock, a kickstand or two controllers for simple multiplayer gaming, it may be related to a TV or monitor through its USB-C port. Plus, you should buy a devoted TV dock individually.
In any other case, at 669g, the Steam Deck is undoubtedly a heavy gaming console, whereas the Steam Deck OLED is barely lighter at simply 640g. Each sport the identical cumbersome dimensions, which implies they’re a fairly large system to hold round for moveable gaming. Compared, the Swap 2 weighs simply 535g.
Steam Deck OLED. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
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Lastly, alongside the Steam Deck’s USB-C port, each Steam Decks are fitted with a headphone jack and a microSD slot for increasing storage. The Swap 2, however, not helps microSD playing cards, so anybody who wants extra area might want to put money into a pricier microSD Specific card as an alternative.
Winner: Nintendo Swap 2
Controls
Nintendo Swap 2 has two removable Pleasure-Cons, which sport a number of updates from their predecessor
Each Swap 2 and Steam Decks have a touchscreen
Steam Deck and Steam Deck OLED use the identical Xbox-style button structure
There are a few methods to manage the Swap 2: its touchscreen show, the Pleasure-Con 2s and a Swap 2 Professional controller, the latter of which is bought individually. The brand new Pleasure-Con 2s sport a number of updates from their predecessor, which we go into in additional element in our devoted Pleasure-Con 2 vs Pleasure-Con information.
As an outline, the brand new Pleasure-Con 2s are bigger, boast a brand new C-Button that opens up the brand new GameChat characteristic and may even be used like a mouse in sure titles. In any other case, every Pleasure-Con is fitted with a joystick and 4 buttons for gameplay.
Swap 2 Pleasure-Cons and Professional Controller. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
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In contrast to the Swap 2, the Steam Deck doesn’t have detachable controllers and as an alternative is managed by its Xbox-style button structure, alongside triggers and rear paddles. It does, nevertheless, additionally sport a touchscreen show.
Winner: Nintendo Swap 2
Display screen
No OLED possibility on the Swap 2
Swap 2 has a bigger show at 7.9 inches, in comparison with 7.4 inches of the Steam Deck OLED and seven inches for the Steam Deck
Swap 2 has HDR assist in appropriate video games
Once we first realized the Swap 2 was going to sport an LCD display moderately than an OLED, we had been initially disillusioned. Nevertheless, it’s truthful to say the Swap 2 has received us over. Not solely is it 7.9 inches now, in comparison with 6.2 inches on the OG, but it surely’s additionally a 1080p display too, which helps refresh charges of as much as 120Hz in sure video games.
Nintendo Swap 2. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
Compared, the Steam Deck is out there as an OLED mannequin, which seems to be visually gorgeous in comparison with its predecessor. Even so, neither the Steam Deck OLED’s 7.4-inch display nor the Steam Deck’s seven-inch LCD show advantages from a Full HD decision just like the Swap 2, and makes do with a decrease 1280×800 decision.
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Steam Deck OLED. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
Neither Steam Deck providing fairly reaches the Swap 2’s 120Hz refresh price both, with the OLED sporting as much as 90Hz whereas the unique mannequin solely reaches 60Hz.
Winner: Nintendo Swap 2
Efficiency
An unnamed customized course of from Nvidia powers the Swap 2
Steam Deck runs on 7nm AMD APU whereas Steam Deck OLED runs on 6nm AMD APU, with each unable to deal with extremely demanding titles
Steam Deck OLED comes with as much as 1TB of storage
Though Nintendo has by no means been one to compete with the likes of Microsoft or Sony for efficiency, its processor does supply some stable energy. Nevertheless, aside from the very fact it’s a “customized course of” from Nvidia, the ins and outs of the chip are principally saved beneath wraps.
The Steam Deck collection as an alternative runs on AMD APU, with the OLED iteration operating on 6nm structure whereas the unique runs on 7nm. Even so, AMD has retained the identical Zen 2 CPU and RDNA 2 GPU, so there’s no actual distinction in efficiency.
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With this in thoughts, neither Steam Deck can play intense titles, with some video games not even in a position to boot up with out crashing. This is a matter we’ve got but to seek out with the Swap 2 and its devoted recreation library.
The place the Steam Deck OLED takes the lead is with its built-in storage. Whereas the unique Steam Deck and the Swap 2 include simply 256GB capability, the OLED is out there in each 512GB and 1TB fashions. Plus, with microSD assist, it’s straightforward to increase your storage even additional.
As we touched upon earlier, the Swap 2 not helps commonplace microSD playing cards and, as an alternative, would require a microSD Specific card. On the time of writing, there are simply two sizes of microSD Specific within the UK: 128GB and 256GB, with the latter beginning at round £50.
Winner: Nintendo Swap 2
Video games and Software program
The Swap 2’s interface is principally unchanged from the Swap
SteamOS powers Steam Deck and is a straightforward and slick working system
Steam Deck affords assist for third-party gaming programs, like Xbox Recreation Go
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One of many largest causes you would possibly select the Steam Deck over the Nintendo Swap 2 (and vice versa) is because of their respective gaming libraries.
The Steam Decks’ working system, aptly named SteamOS, is far slicker than Home windows 11 on the Asus Rog Ally X, and permits customers to put in cross-platform video games and streaming apps. Plus, nearly all video games on the storefront have a ranking for Steam Deck compatibility, which implies you received’t be caught out with an unplayable title.
Steam Deck OLED. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
Even with this in thoughts, it’s value noting that the Steam Deck does turn out to be a bit fiddly if you need to play non-Steam titles.
In any other case, the Swap 2 is backwards appropriate with video games made for the unique Swap, with some OG titles benefitting from updates to make sure a greater gameplay expertise.
Swap 2 dwelling display. Picture Credit score (Trusted Opinions)
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Should you’ve used any model of the unique Swap collection, then you definately’ll be accustomed to the Swap 2’s interface, because it’s basically unchanged.
Winner: Steam Deck
Battery Life
Neither the Nintendo Swap 2 nor Steam Deck collection supply spectacular battery
Nintendo Swap 2 struggles to surpass two hours
Steam Deck can last more on less-intensive video games
With principally all handheld gaming consoles, battery life relies on the sport you’re enjoying. Having stated that, the Steam Deck OLED performs higher than its rivals because of its extra power-efficient AMD chip.
We concluded that battery life on the Swap 2 is just “poor”, because it might solely final for round two hours earlier than needing a recharge. It’s the same story with the Steam Deck, which struggled to surpass two hours in AAA video games.
Nevertheless, in much less intensive titles, all consoles ought to final for a bit longer. For instance, we discovered that the Steam Deck OLED might play Soccer Supervisor with maxed-out efficiency settings for over 4 hours and 40 minutes, whereas Stardew Valley lasted 5 hours on the unique Steam Deck too.
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Winner: Steam Deck
Verdict
Selecting between the Nintendo Swap 2 and both iteration of the Steam Deck will doubtless boil right down to the forms of video games you’d wish to play. For instance, in order for you entry to extra titles throughout a number of platforms, then you definately’d positively be higher off with a Steam Deck. Nevertheless, when you’re an avid Mario fan, then a Swap 2 is for you.
In any other case, because the Swap 2 is extra moveable (though make sure you carry an influence financial institution round with you), has three enjoying modes and affords a greater display decision, then it’s a simple advice.
However, in order for you a extra mighty handheld that sports activities an OLED show and entry to extra video games, then you definately couldn’t go improper with the Steam Deck OLED.