Nintendo Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: Performance, Features, and More

The Nintendo Switch 2 is the newest console on the block, but does it have what it takes to stand with the big boys like Xbox Series S?

Picture of Nintendo Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S — Nintendo Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S (Image via Nintendo | Xbox)

Nintendo released its best handheld console of this generation, the Switch 2. It packs a lot of horsepower into a tiny body and can power some of the most graphically demanding games, such as Cyberpunk 2077. However, its $449.99 price point pushes it into the current-gen console’s price bracket, which includes the Xbox Series S, PS5, and Xbox Series X.

The cheapest of these three current consoles is the Xbox Series S, which will be the best contender for the Switch 2 in terms of price-to-performance ratio. In this article, we will compare them in terms of performance, features, and other aspects to help you make a better choice.

Note: This article is subjective and reflects the writer’s opinions. Also, the prices mentioned herein are subject to change.

Nintendo Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: Which One is Better?

The Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S are two very different devices. Nevertheless, they deliver a somewhat decent performance that is acceptable for their respective size. For example, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a handheld console that can play games at around 720p to 1080p resolutions and up to 4K when docked and connected to a TV.

In contrast, the Xbox Series S is a traditional home console, so you must connect it to a TV to play games. It plays at around 1080p – 1440p resolution and occasionally at 4K with upscaling. Upon reading this, you may think they are quite similar, but you couldn’t be more wrong. They are actually different kinds of beasts and are designed to offer different gaming capabilities. The two consoles also differ in cost. The Nintendo Switch 2 costs $449.99 and provides only 256GB of memory, while the Xbox Series S costs $379.99 and provides 512GB of RAM.

However, if you are still confused between the two, here’s a detailed comparison to learn more:

Design Comparison

Picture describes The Nintendo Switch 2 with a removable controller design — The Nintendo Switch 2 has a removable controller design (Image via Nintendo)

The Nintendo Switch 2, as you know, is a handheld console. Therefore, it is portable and can be carried anywhere you want. You can play games on it anywhere you want with its built-in batteries. However, you can also dock it and hook it to a TV for a traditional home console setup. The controllers are detachable and can be used individually when connected to the TV. However, the Switch 2 is a handheld device after all, so it’s best used in this mode. In the handheld mode, the new Switch feels just as good as the original, even though it’s a bit larger and slightly heavier.

On the other hand, the Xbox Series S features a traditional home console form factor, but it is a lot slimmer and more compact than previous Xbox consoles. The larger size is mainly due to the bigger chip inside, which requires a larger heatsink and power supply unit. The design of the Xbox Series S is quite simple yet elegant. The surface features a matte finish, which appears quite nice.

Features

Nintendo Switch 2:

Hybrid design: The Switch 2’s hybrid design allows it to be used as a handheld device and home console. This gives it an edge over the Xbox Series S.
Portability: The ultra-compact design and lightweight make it easy to carry. You can easily pack it in your backpack along with its charger, so you can take it to a friend’s house and play whenever you wish.
Huge list of exclusive first-party titles: The original Switch had a huge list of first-party Nintendo titles, and so will the new Switch 2. They are exclusive games that cannot be played anywhere else except for a Nintendo Switch device.
Backward compatibility: Almost all of the original Switch titles are backward compatible on the new Switch 2, so you will also be able to enjoy a huge catalog of games.

Xbox Series S:

Keyboard & mouse support: The Xbox Series S supports the use of keyboard & mouse in a few games, which will allow console games to diminish any competitive advantage that PC gamers may have. However, not every game supports them. Microsoft left it to the game developers to choose whether they want to support keyboard & mouse.
Higher graphical fidelity and resolution: The chip inside the Xbox Series S has more graphical horsepower, which allows it to deliver slightly higher visual fidelity and resolution in a few games than the Switch 2.
Huge list of third-party titles: Xbox Series S’s main strength is its huge catalog of third-party titles that are not available on the Switch, except for a few names, like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and more. However, developers could port more third-party games to the Switch 2 in the future.
Backward compatibility: It is one of the key features of this console. The Xbox Series S supports backward compatibility for games from three generations of Xbox devices: Xbox One, Xbox 360, and the original Xbox.
Higher internal and external storage capacities: Microsoft originally equipped the Xbox Series S with 512GB storage, but these days, it is available at higher capacities as well. You can also buy an official storage expansion card.
Robust set of streaming apps: The Xbox store has a lot of streaming apps, including Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Disney+, and more. They are not available on Switch 2.
Quick resume and near-instant switching between games: The Xbox Series S allows you to suspend a game quickly and switch to another game or app almost instantaneously. You can also switch back to the previous game without needing to wait.

Performance Benchmarks

Picture of Vincent in Cyberpunk 2077 — Vincent in Cyberpunk 2077 (Image via CDProjektRed)

Xbox Series S and Nintendo Switch 2 have different chip architectures, die sizes, power budgets, and more hardware differences. This makes a direct performance comparison impossible. Therefore, we must take a game that runs on both consoles for a fair comparison. Cyberpunk 2077 is one game that is currently available on both Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S, making it possible for us to compare them. Here’s how this game runs on both consoles:

In Quality Mode: The Switch 2 runs Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p 30 FPS (Docked and handheld mode), while the Xbox Series S runs it at 1440p target at 30 FPS.
In Performance Mode: The Switch 2 runs Cyberpunk 2077 at 1080p 40 FPS in docked mode and 720p 40 FPS in handheld mode. On the other hand, the Xbox Series S runs the game at 1080p target at 60 FPS.

In both quality and performance modes, the Xbox Series S comes out ahead. Therefore, it is the higher-performing console. However, due to the use of DLSS upscaling technology in Switch 2, its overall image quality looks a bit sharper than the Xbox Series S.

Hardware Comparison

Here’s the list of hardware comparisons for Nintendo Switch 2 and Xbox Series S:

Component	Nintendo Switch 2	Xbox Series S
CPU	8-core ARM Cortex A78C with 1.7GHz max clock speed	8-core AMD Zen 2 with 3.6GHz max clock speed
GPU	Ampere GPU with up to 3.09 TFLOPS when docked	RDNA 2 with up to 4 TFLOPS
RAM	12GB LPDDR5	10GB GDDR6
Storage	256GB + microSD Express cards for expansion	Up to 1TB NVMe SSD + Official Xbox-branded expandable cards
Battery Size	5220mAh	AC Power
Battery Life	2–6.5 hours	N/A
Video Output (Docked)	4K/60Hz, 1440p/120Hz	4K/120Hz
Screen Size/Type	7.9-inch LCD (1080p/120Hz)	N/A
Max Framerate	120Hz (handheld/docked)	120Hz
HDR/VRR Support	HDR10, VRR (Unavailable on docked)	HDR10, VRR
Weight	534 grams (with Joy-Cons)	1.93 kilograms
Dimensions	270mm x 116mm x 14mm	275mm x 151mm x 63.5mm

Overall Impressions

Which console is the better option depends on factors such as portability, raw graphical power, features, and more. If you mostly play at home and prefer playing AAA games like Atomic Heart, Cyberpunk 2077, Forza Horizon 5, Starfield, A Plague Tale series, Saints Row and more, then the Xbox Series S is the better option. That’s because a majority of these games are not available on the Switch 2 and probably never will. On top of that, you get to play some games on mouse & keyboard as well. The Xbox Series S is also cheaper.

However, if you like to play games with your friends and prefer to play Nintendo’s exclusive games like Mario Kart World, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, Legend of Zelda Series, and more, then the Nintendo Switch 2 is the obvious option to buy.

Both consoles have their pros and cons. It’s up to you to choose which console’s pros align with your gaming tastes. However, where the Xbox Series S does take a big win is in terms of pricing. The Xbox console is simply cheaper and provides more storage comparatively. You should choose one based on your requirements and budget.

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Nintendo Switch 2 vs Xbox Series S: Performance, Features, and More