Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Performance, Features, and More

Switch 2 is highly sought after right now, but how does it stack up against other handhelds? Here is our breakdown of Switch 2 vs Steam Deck.

An image of Switch 2 and Steam Deck — Nintendo Switch 2 and Steam Deck handheld gaming consoles (Image via Nintendo | Valve)

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: These are the top gaming handheld choices on the market currently, but which one is the best gaming console to opt for? Let’s talk about various features and aspects of Steam Deck & Nintendo Switch 2 so we can guide you on which handheld to opt for.

This year, we saw many new hardware launches. The Nintendo Switch 2 has also just launched with an exclusively designed Nvidia chip. Its capabilities are absolutely undeniable, but how does it compare against the undisputed king that has taken the world by storm – Valve’s Steam Deck? After all, both the handhelds offer a unique experience for gamers.

Whether it comes to hardware or software features, both Nintendo Switch 2 and Valve Steam Deck have their own set of advantages, catering to different kinds of users. Let’s see how these two handhelds compare against each other!

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Which One Is Better?

Nintendo Switch 2 Bundle with Mario Kart (Image via Nintendo)

Pricing Overview

Nintendo Switch 2: $449.99 (base model) | $499.99 (Mario Kart World bundle)
Valve Steam Deck: $399–$649 (depends on model)

Note: Pricing may change depending on your bundle, location, and place of purchase.

Design Comparison

Talking about the design, Nintendo Switch 2 is designed to be a very portable handheld gaming console. It can easily be taken on the go wherever you’d like, whether that’s during your commute or workplace.

The new Switch 2 weighs 1.18 lbs (534g) with the Joy-Cons attached, which is considerably more than the previous model that weighed 0.88 lbs (399g). Despite this, Nintendo has managed to maintain a slim profile on its handheld. The Switch 2 also retains the classy looks of the previous Switch, with multi-colored Joy-Cons.

Similarly, the Steam Deck is also quite a portable handheld gaming console. The weight for Steam Deck is much higher, though, coming up to 1.47 lbs (669g). This is a much beefier handheld, and it has to pack great cooling performance for the AMD processor inside.

Comparatively, the design of the Steam Deck is much less portable than the Nintendo Switch 2. Steam’s handheld is available in various colors if you opt for limited edition models. The standard pick features a gray color scheme reminiscent of Steam’s identity.

Features

Nintendo Switch 2 packs a huge number of features that separate it from every other handheld on the market. Featuring a custom-designed operating system, the Nintendo Switch 2 only has support for games available on its own ecosystem. There is also support for games released for the previous Switch, facilitated via backwards compatibility.

Switch 2 also has HDR support with variable refresh rate in handheld mode. Overall, Switch 2 features a very restrictive software environment. Gamers who specifically like to play games released by Nintendo should prefer this handheld.

Talking about the Valve Steam Deck, this is a completely different story. It is designed to be a handheld gaming console, but it can technically be used as a personal computer too. Steam Deck even supports installing other operating systems on it, such as Windows. Natively, SteamOS does not support a few games like Valorant, which have anti-cheat measures, but Valve allows you to install a different OS to counter this difficulty.

Hence, Steam Deck’s nature is very open compared to Nintendo’s. You can play games from all platforms, even via Xbox Game Pass on the Steam Deck if you install Windows. Otherwise, most PC games are natively supported on its SteamOS software.

Hardware Comparison

An image of Steam Deck being used — Valve Steam Deck being used on the go (Image via Valve)

Controllers and Build

Nintendo Switch 2: Features Joy-Con 2 detachable magnetic controllers, with a 78g weight for each of them. It can be used to share the controller with a second person. Also features joysticks with textured grips.
Steam Deck: Xbox-style controller, adapted around the device and part of the main body. Cannot be detached. Features the full layout with sticks and triggers.

Device Construction

Nintendo Switch 2: The dimensions are 272mm x 116mm x 13.9mm with quite a slim and lightweight profile. Features a tougher build than the original Switch, hence better durability.
Steam Deck: Its dimensions are 298mm x 117mm x 49mm, and it’s designed as a bigger handheld device overall. The body is made out of Plastic as well.

Technical Specifications

Feature	Nintendo Switch 2	Valve Steam Deck
Device	Nintendo Switch 2	Valve Steam Deck
CPU	Custom Nvidia Chip (Cortex A78C with 8 cores)	6/7nm AMD APU (depending on model) with 4 cores and 8 threads based on Zen 2 architecture
GPU	Custom Nvidia Chip (Ampere Architecture, 1536 CUDA Cores)	RDNA 2 graphics
RAM	12GB LPDDR5X	16GB LPDDR5
Storage	256GB UFS Storage (upgradeable with microSD)	64GB to 512GB (depending on variant)
Battery Size	5220mAh	40 Whr
Battery Life	2–6.5 hours	2-8 hours
Video Output	Display output via dock (4K 60Hz or 1440p 120Hz)	Type-C Display Output
Screen Specifications	7.9-inch LCD display, 1080p resolution, 120Hz refresh rate with VRR	7-inch 60Hz display (LCD variant), 7.9 inch 120Hz display (OLED variant), both screens supporting 1280×800 resolution
Max Framerate	120Hz (handheld/docked)	60Hz (LCD), 120Hz (OLED)
HDR Support	Yes	No (LCD variant), Yes (OLED variant)
Weight	534g (with Joy-Cons)	669g (LCD variant)
Dimensions	272mm x 116mm x 13.9mm	298mm x 117mm x 49mm

Performance Benchmarks

Note: Results are derived from publicly available sources

Nintendo Switch 2: Its Nvidia chip is capable of delivering performance close to an RTX 2050 or RTX 3050 mobile chip. Supports playing AAA games at 1080p resolution, such as Cyberpunk 2077, running at 30/40 FPS based on the settings.

Steam Deck: Performance is closer to a GTX 1050, making it a much less powerful handheld. However, Steam Deck features a lower resolution, making games easier to run. Performance can be customized according to the game. Supports AAA games with optimized settings, titles like Cyberpunk 2077 even feature a Steam Deck graphics preset.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Steam Deck: Overall Impressions

Nintendo Switch 2 is an excellent handheld for fans of Nintendo’s ecosystem. If you wish to play games like The Legend of Zelda or Mario Kart World, there is no better gaming console to grab. The hardware is balanced accordingly as per developer requirements, and even a few AAA games are supported on Nintendo Switch 2 with impressive graphics. This is a superb option for most people.

The Steam Deck is almost like a portable PC in your hand. For gamers who want a wider variety of titles to play and don’t necessarily need to play Nintendo exclusives, the Steam Deck is a better choice. Since it even supports installing other operating systems, you can play with your existing game library on the device.

Conclusion

Choose the Valve Steam Deck if you want to play PC games and don’t necessarily need to play Nintendo exclusive games.
Choose Nintendo Switch 2 if you primarily prefer playing Nintendo exclusives and don’t mind sticking to their ecosystem. It is also preferable for casual co-op gaming as its Joy-Con controller can be shared.

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