Nintendo just released the $350 Switch OLED and it's already selling out — here's where to buy the upgraded console

When you buy through our links, Business Insider may earn an affiliate commission. Learn more

• Nintendo Switch OLED launched on October 8 for $350 — that's $50 more than the original Switch.
• The new model has a better screen, twice the storage, a wider kickstand, and a LAN port in the dock.
• Switch OLED and the original Switch still share the same games and overall performance.

Nintendo launched a new version of its popular Switch console on October 8, the Switch OLED. The console was first announced in July amid speculation that Nintendo was developing a Switch that was capable of playing games at 4K resolution. Instead, Switch OLED sticks to the original Switch specifications of 1080p docked gameplay with a 720p portable display.

The biggest change is the addition of an OLED screen for improved contrast and overall picture quality, but Nintendo has also made several smaller enhancements like adding a better kickstand and twice the built-in storage space. With that said, the Switch OLED's processor and graphics performance are unchanged compared to the standard model.

Nintendo will continue selling the standard Switch and Switch Lite alongside the new version, and all current Joy-Con controllers and docks are compatible with the new model. The new dock that comes with the Switch OLED also works with old Switch consoles.

Nintendo Switch OLED pricing and availability

• The new Nintendo Switch OLED launched on October 8 for $350.
• The new console is available in white and black color options through Nintendo's website and other retailers.
• The black model will come with red and blue Joy-Cons, while the white version includes white Joy-Cons.

Where can you buy the Nintendo Switch OLED?

Nintendo made Switch OLED model preorders available on July 15, and officially released the console on October 8.

It's currently difficult to find the Switch OLED in stock, but retailers like Best Buy and GameStop refresh online product listings on a regular basis.

You can check the retailer links below to see if the console is currently in stock. We'll update this page with more purchase options and inventory updates as they're announced.

What's different about the new Switch?

The biggest difference between the new Switch OLED and the standard version is its screen. The new model comes with a larger 7-inch OLED display, whereas the older model has a 6.2-inch LCD screen. 

OLED screens generally offer better contrast and viewing angles than LCD displays since they are self-illuminating, which means each pixel emits its own light. This enables OLED screens to achieve true levels of black, resulting in significantly improved contrast compared to LCD screens. OLED displays also generally offer better viewing angles, which could be particularly useful when using the Switch in tabletop mode. The 720p screen resolution, however, is unchanged.

The new screen is the biggest upgrade, but Nintendo has made some other improvements as well. The new dock has a built-in LAN port, and Nintendo has doubled the onboard storage capacity from 32GB to 64GB.

The kickstand has also been updated and now features a wider design that allows for adjustable viewing angles, more closely resembling the built-in stand on Microsoft's Surface tablets.

Nintendo also says the audio quality has been improved, and the Switch firmware was recently updated to allow connections to Bluetooth headphones.

Should you buy the new Nintendo Switch OLED?

We'll have to wait until we've tried the new Switch OLED to provide a recommendation. But the larger OLED screen and more flexible kickstand make it look like an especially promising option for those who primarily use their Switch in handheld and tabletop mode.

It seems like Nintendo is positioning the new Switch as an alternative to the original model rather than a next-generation upgrade. Based on the information available on Nintendo's website, it looks like the OLED Switch offers the same graphics performance and battery life as the original, and there's also no support for 4K output. But these changes seem fitting for a new model that's only $50 more than its predecessor.

For more Nintendo Switch and gaming coverage check out our features, buying guides, and deal roundups below:

• Switch OLED vs. standard Switch vs. Switch Lite
• Who should buy the Switch OLED?
• The best gaming consoles
• The best Nintendo Switch accessories
• The best Nintendo Switch games
• The best Nintendo Switch controllers
• The best Nintendo Switch deals