There's no better example of the Era bubble than thinking Nintendo gives even a second though to the Steam Deck lol
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What is the Point of the “Nintendo Switch OLED” from a Business Prospective?
- Thread starter Tbone5189
- Start date
I cancelled my OLED pre-order as I realized I'm fine with my launch Switch. I don't use it much outside of new first party releases and Mario Kart parties, and it doesn't solve the ergonomic or game pricing problems I have with Switch in general.
It seems like a rather pointless update.
It seems like a rather pointless update.
IMO, they will phase out the current Switch once Switch 2/Pro comes out, put OLED at that $300 price (maybe a few $ less), and sell new model for $400. So the current move allows them to get ready for new model on the screen side, get a few folks to upgrade, sell at higher MSRP and keep the brand in the news.
My usecase isn't quite listed: I get an OLED so I can fully dedicate my launch Switch to Android and CFW.
TSMC is raising prices a lot. This allows them to discontinue OG (which they're certain to do), implement a price increase on the base model, and keep their profit margin in tact. OLED gives them the cover to do so (even though the screen itself isn't expensive).
This was my thought process as well, but if I'm honest with myself, I don't think I'll get around to homebrew. I can just sell it to cover a large portion of the OLED costs and get that better screen and battery life. Mine has accumulated a decent amount of regular wear and tear over the past 4 years so a refresh is welcome.
I dont think thats true, its the opposite - the new OLED is a no brainer if you are interested in a new Switch and not many people would go for the standard Switch instead if buying the device now.
The Switch Lite is/was the model that goal is to make the regular Switch look like the better value proposition and it still does that.
From a business perspective? They want the main Switch in 2021 to sell for $350, not $300. Why? Because the consumer has been conditioned to accept $400/$500 consoles as the new norm, and the Switch as a brand has enough cache to sell at the higher pricepoint while still coming in under the newer consoles. Whenever the next gen Nintendo system comes out, you can expect it to launch at that price, so it's preparing the consumer for that pricetag.
The oled and entry model Steam deck are competing with each other.
My launch Switch has more than 2k hours on it and is falling apart. Instead of replacing it with the same thing, I'm replacing it with something slightly better.
Exact same thing as the 3DS. Launch 3DS was played to death, so I got a new2DSXL.
Exact same thing as the 3DS. Launch 3DS was played to death, so I got a new2DSXL.
Business perspective it keeps a full priced model on the market and I assume they'll phase out the launch model and just have the OLED and Lite available once that stock sales out. Also double dips from diehards who want the best version.
I already have a base model (with some minor screen damage from an unlucky drop so it stays in the dock) and a Lite (bought for more comfy handheld gaming and due to the screen damage on the other one) and have no interest on the OLED model. I don't game nearly as much on my Switch since getting a PS5 and XSX and the base model hurts my hands/wrists in long handheld session so I'd rather stick with the Lite for that and thus wouldn't benefit form a better screen anyway.
I already have a base model (with some minor screen damage from an unlucky drop so it stays in the dock) and a Lite (bought for more comfy handheld gaming and due to the screen damage on the other one) and have no interest on the OLED model. I don't game nearly as much on my Switch since getting a PS5 and XSX and the base model hurts my hands/wrists in long handheld session so I'd rather stick with the Lite for that and thus wouldn't benefit form a better screen anyway.
I was originally interested because my system is running hotter, but when the Steam Deck was revealed, I've lost all interest in OLED.
To add to this, they also want to start producing their updated and upgradeable docks.
I love the OLED solely because its release means the family of systems is going to be supported for a while longer.
it's in the Resetera ToS that thread questions and poll answers must be mismatched
Maybe it's a hotdogs vs hotdog buns situation? Like maybe they ran out of screens before they ran out of other components so they just refreshed that aspect.
I think if there were any real chance of a price cut any time soon, Nintendo wouldn't have held that correction for exchanges rates for European markets recently to bring them back in line with the other currency values, when they could have rolled that in to an even bigger looking price cut.
to protect the ASP (average selling price) and increase profit margins.
Cut costs, increase a little tech here and there (i'm sure they are basically renewing hardware contracts with partners and getting good discounts for more current product lines), raise the price, you can maintain higher ASP for longer to keep the market profitability healthy for you (and in this case, added benefit of not having to increase software prices).
Buys them some time to transition to another cycle without having anything new/interesting exciting to talk about to the market
Cut costs, increase a little tech here and there (i'm sure they are basically renewing hardware contracts with partners and getting good discounts for more current product lines), raise the price, you can maintain higher ASP for longer to keep the market profitability healthy for you (and in this case, added benefit of not having to increase software prices).
Buys them some time to transition to another cycle without having anything new/interesting exciting to talk about to the market
I have a launch switch that is getting worse and worse battery by the day, I could get a new battery and change it myself, but I rather get the new one and sell my old one to a friend tbh
Better battery life, better screen, hinge, storage etc for a decent price after I sell mine.
Better battery life, better screen, hinge, storage etc for a decent price after I sell mine.
Because the next Switch will probably use the same screen, and getting manufacturing going now ensures supply and keeps costs low through economies of scale.
Because it works...
The goal is to makes it "fresh" while still being an old thing. So it's good for new comers but also good for old ones. I think the stats about smartphone renewal was around 3-4 years on average.
Having an hybrid home console without Ethernet is also a joke in 2021 so that count I guess (hope they also improved the awful wireless connexion).
The goal is to makes it "fresh" while still being an old thing. So it's good for new comers but also good for old ones. I think the stats about smartphone renewal was around 3-4 years on average.
Having an hybrid home console without Ethernet is also a joke in 2021 so that count I guess (hope they also improved the awful wireless connexion).
Always felt like it was a half-step like how Apple will put out a second model within the same year. A slight upgrade, mostly for people who haven't pulled the trigger yet, but not for people who are looking for a bigger jump in tech and features.
If I may put on my Switch Pro tinfoil hat for a second:
1. They put out this model and slowly but surely faze out the older Switch model.
2. They release a Switch Pro, but this one is console-only and can only be played on TV. Because, ideally, the people who would care the most about performance, 4K, and wouldn't mind spending extra on a pro model are most likely not using their Switches in portable mode very often (if at all).
3. The Switch OLED would be for folks who use portable mode enough that they would want a good quality screen to play it on. Switch Lites would still stay around (barring maybe a revision model) as the budget option for kids, people who only really play in portable mode, or for people who just simply want a more budget-friendly Switch.
I feel like this would make the most sense, so that is precisely why Nintendo isn't going to do it.
If I may put on my Switch Pro tinfoil hat for a second:
1. They put out this model and slowly but surely faze out the older Switch model.
2. They release a Switch Pro, but this one is console-only and can only be played on TV. Because, ideally, the people who would care the most about performance, 4K, and wouldn't mind spending extra on a pro model are most likely not using their Switches in portable mode very often (if at all).
3. The Switch OLED would be for folks who use portable mode enough that they would want a good quality screen to play it on. Switch Lites would still stay around (barring maybe a revision model) as the budget option for kids, people who only really play in portable mode, or for people who just simply want a more budget-friendly Switch.
I feel like this would make the most sense, so that is precisely why Nintendo isn't going to do it.
Accessibility of hardware likely?
The Hardware pieces for the switch are getting old, so it may have been a necessity for ongoing production with reduced impact from availability
The Hardware pieces for the switch are getting old, so it may have been a necessity for ongoing production with reduced impact from availability
They got a good deal on OLED screens and want to start using them before their next generation console is out.
Probably.
Probably.
I assume their manufacturing pipeline necessitated a screen tech upgrade, whether that's now or they're getting ahead of it.
As for the poll , which doesn't match the title question lol, I have a switch that works as good as the day I got it at launch, but I'd like something new and shiny so I'm buying one. I can move the old one to the bedroom for my partner to play splatoon on, so it works out well for everyone.
As for the poll , which doesn't match the title question lol, I have a switch that works as good as the day I got it at launch, but I'd like something new and shiny so I'm buying one. I can move the old one to the bedroom for my partner to play splatoon on, so it works out well for everyone.