Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo 3DS Comparison

Compare Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo 3DS side by side. Below you'll find a detailed comparison of specifications, features, and prices for these gaming handhelds.

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo 3DS

Basic Info

Brand

Nintendo

Nintendo

Release Date

2017 / 03

2011 / 03

Form Factor

Landscape (Detachable Controllers)

Clamshell (Dual Screen)

Price Range

$499 - $749

N/A

System

Os

Nintendo Switch System Software

Nintendo 3DS System Software

Soc

Nvidia Tegra X1, Nvidia Tegra X1+ (2019 model)

Cpu

Cortex-A57, Cortex-A53 4x / 4x

ARM11, ARM9

Cpu Cores

Quad Core (A57) Quad Core (A53 - unused)

Dual Core (ARM11) Single Core (ARM9)

Cpu Threads

?

-

Cpu Clock Speed

1.02 GHz - 1.785 GHz

268 MHz (ARM11) 134 MHz (ARM9)

Architecture

ARM

ARM

Gpu

Nvidia GM20B (256 Maxwell-based CUDA cores)

Digital Media Professionals PICA200

Gpu Clock Speed

307.2 - 768 MHz

268 MHz

Ram

4 GB LPDDR4

128 MB FCRAM

Display

Screen Size

6.2 inch

Top: 3.53 inch Bottom: 3.02 inch

Screen Type

IPS Touchscreen

Top: TN LCD Bottom: TN LCD Touchscreen

Resolution

1280 × 720

Top: 800 x 240 Bottom: 320 x 240

Ppi

?

-

Aspect Ratio

16:9

Top: 5:3 Bottom: 4:3

Screen Lens

Plastic

Controls

D Pad

Separated Buttons Lower placement

Cross Lower placement

Analogs

Dual thumbsticks with L3/R3 Left: Upper placement Right: Lower placement

Single slider Upper placement

Face Buttons

4 Buttons

4 Buttons

Shoulder Buttons

L, R, ZL, ZR Vertical

L, R (ZL, ZR with add-on)

Extra Buttons

Home, Capture, Power, Volume +-

Home, Power, 3D depth slider, Volume slider, Wireless switch

Sensors

Accelerometer, Gyro sensor, Front & dual rear cameras, microphone

Hardware

Battery

4310 mAh (15.95 Wh)

1300 mAh

Storage

Internal 32 GB eMMC & External MicroSD

Internal 1 GB & External SD/SDHC

Charge Port

USB-C

Proprietary Port

Dimensions

173 mm x 102 mm x 14 mm, 238 mm x 102 mm x 14 - 28.5 mm (Joycons attached)

134 mm x 74 mm x 22 mm

Weight

297 grams, 398 grams (Joycons attached)

235 grams

Shell Material

?

Plastic

Connectivity

Connectivity

802.11ac Wi-Fi 5, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC reader

802.11b/g WiFi, IR transceiver, NFC reader

Video Output

USB-C video out

❌

Audio Output

3.5mm Headphone

3.5mm Headphone

Speaker

Dual Stereo Front facing

Dual Stereo Front facing

Features

Rumble

✅

❌

Volume Control

Dedicated Buttons

Slider

Brightness Control

Menu

Menu

Power Control

Button

Button

Gaming

Emulation Limit

-

-