22 Jul
Blog

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It the OnePlus 9 Lite

OnePlus Nord 2 from behind, held in the hand.

OnePlus Nord 2 5G Review: Just Call It OnePlus 9 Lite

“The OnePlus Nord 2 offers everything we like about OnePlus phones, from fast charging and a great screen to a practical alert slider at an affordable price. It also looks stunning in the Blue Haze color. "

advantages

  • Compact design with nice color

  • Very attractive screen

  • Reliable software with guaranteed updates

The OnePlus Nord 2 is a particularly important new smartphone as it was the first time that OnePlus released a phone without a Qualcomm Snapdragon chip inside. The Nord 2 uses a modified version of MediaTek's flagship Dimensity 1200 chip and is arguably the company's best-known partnership to date, at least outside of Asia. While OnePlus is obviously looking for success, MediaTek will also be looking closely.

Plus, it's a big moment for the Nord series. The original Nord managed to bring OnePlus back to its value-based roots, but lacked identity. OnePlus gave the Nord 2 identity, but oddly enough, by doing so it accidentally created another OnePlus 9 phone, which makes me question what the Nord range is about.

So there is a lot to drive on the Nord 2 so how is it? I spent four days on the phone, enough time for a detailed pre-evaluation but not quite enough for a final, in-depth review. I will be returning to this review after a long time with the Nord 2 and so the score given at this point may change depending on how the phone continues to work.

design

Let's come to the color of our test model. It's called Blue Haze and it's absolutely stunning. OnePlus usually gets its colors right, but this may be for the best. The aquamarine hue has a glossy finish but does not attract fingerprints, and the Gorilla Glass 5 panel is very effective in hiding stains. It stays clean and sharp.

The OnePlus Nord 2 held in the hand, seen from the rear.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The camera module uses the same hue, but reflects the light differently because it is not made of glass, and gives the back of the Nord 2 a lot of character. The glass even manages to hide the ugly legal text that has to be stamped on the back. I think the Nord 2 looks amazing and I like how it blends in with the design of the OnePlus 9 and 9 Pro so that it feels like part of the family.

Another important family feature is the Alert Slider on the side of the Nord 2, which allows you to quickly switch between Silent, Vibrate and Ring modes. It's quick and convenient, and it's a feature that sets OnePlus apart from other brands. The presence of the slider and pretty design make it look and work like a real OnePlus phone, which I think wasn't the case with the OnePlus Nord CE.

The screen of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

The construction – a fiberglass frame with a “metallized” surface – and the size are essentially the same as the first OnePlus Nord, with a width of 73 mm and a thickness of 8.2 mm, which makes the phone easy to use and one-handed is to use. It feels solid and solid, and the modest weight of 189 grams ensures that it fits in your pocket without disturbing.

There's no water resistance rating, but I vouch for the Nord 2's durability. It's quite slippery, and the first day the phone slipped out of my pocket and crashed on the cobblestones. It survived with only the slightest mark in the upper right corner of the chassis. The glass back and the screen are fine. I may have been lucky so a case is advisable if you're prone to dropping slippery phones.

The OnePlus Nord 2 and the OnePlus 9 Pro.OnePlus 9 Pro (left) and OnePlus Nord 2 (right) Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I found the first Nord a little faceless, but OnePlus changed that for the Nord 2 and effectively turned it into a OnePlus 9 Lite. That's not a bad thing, and really, it's the name that would go better with the Nord 2. Leaving the Nord name on cheaper models like the Nord CE that lacks vital OnePlus elements could be a better strategy.

Aside from the confusing branding, the Nord 2 is well proportioned, well made and – if you can get one in Blue Haze – an absolute beauty too.

Screen and software

It's a 6.43 inch, 20: 9 aspect ratio, liquid AMOLED screen on the Nord 2, complete with a refresh rate of 90 Hz and a resolution of 2400 x 1080. It doesn't seem to have HDR10 + certification like the Nord, however it has two artificial intelligence (AI) modes called AI Color Boost and AI Resolution Boost. However, these only work with certain apps. Both cooperate with YouTube, but otherwise AI Color Boost only works with MX Player Pro and VLC, while AI Resolution Boost works with Snapchat and Instagram.

The Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable.

The screen is brighter and more vibrant than the Nord CE's screen, and there is surprisingly little to split between it and the OnePlus 9 Pro when watching video. The AI ​​Color Boost increases the saturation and thus goes beyond the 9 Pro. Turn it off, and it's not quite as noticeable. The AI ​​Resolution Boost is less noticeable since so much YouTube content is already available over 1080p.

When I'm not watching video, the Nord 2's screen isn't as bright as I'd like it to be, but it is still legible outdoors in sunlight. Other than that, the Nord 2's screen is beautiful and its resemblance to the 9 Pro makes the phone very desirable. The sound comes from stereo speakers that are amazingly loud but not very sophisticated. I had no desire and actually no need to take it over about 40% volume.

OnePlus' Oxygen OS user interface version 11.3 is installed and based on Android 11. It is largely the same as the OnePlus 9 Pro, but there are some strange differences in the settings. For example, on the OnePlus 9 Pro you can change the environment display, icons and font in the customization menu, while on the Nord 2 you can do this in the customization menu. Performance is great so far, with smooth scrolling through apps and menus.

My test phone received a software update since I started using it, and I'm still in the process of evaluating the software and its day-to-day reliability.

camera

The Nord CE's camera was inconsistent and the first Nord's camera suffered from poor performance. The Nord 2's camera improves the specification with both a 50 megapixel main camera with optical image stabilization (OIS) and an 8 MP wide-angle camera with electronic image stabilization (EIS). A 2-megapixel monochrome camera completes the rear setup, along with a 32-megapixel selfie camera, also with EIS.

The camera module of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

So far I have only taken about 100 photos with the Nord 2, so we have yet to get deeper insights. However, at this point it is obvious that the Nord 2 is an improvement over the Nord and Nord CE, but since OnePlus always takes a while to really improve the performance of its cameras, there are still a few issues but updates are likely to arrive to speak to you.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good. Shooting outdoors on sunny days can result in a slight oversaturation, while edge enhancement and processing can be harsh and noticeable. There are differences in exposure between the main and wide-angle cameras, but it's not drastic. OnePlus annoyingly adds quick access in the camera app to 2x and 5x zoom, but these are digital zoom modes and the quality really suffers. It is worth mentioning the selfie camera which has a nice natural tone with lots of detail.

So far, the Nord's camera has taken some great shots that are very easy to share without editing, but it has also disappointed with its aggressive processing. The camera performance has not yet been included in the evaluation. It's also worth noting that unlike the OnePlus 9 and OnePlus 9 Pro, the camera was not edited by Hasselblad.

The focus, color management and dynamic range of the Nord 2 are usually very good.

Performance and battery life

The MediaTek Dimensity 1200 that OnePlus uses for the Nord 2 is the first to emerge from MediaTek's Dimensity Open Resource Architecture (adorably known as DORA) initiative, which allows the phone maker to tweak the chip to do better with the hardware to work. You have the choice between 6 GB, 8 GB or 12 GB RAM and 128 GB or 256 GB storage space. My test phone is the 12GB / 256GB version.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

During the time I've been using the Nord 2, a software update has improved the phone's performance and reliability, which was a bit shaky at first. Nothing bad – notification support was a hit-or-miss and some apps were slow – but the issues seem to be resolved now. I've played Asphalt 9: Legends and haven't noticed any slowdowns or issues affecting gameplay. However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

I have not yet put the Dimensity 1200 through its paces, but it has not yet made itself known for everyday use. This may sound like a disadvantage, but it isn't. Good processors just do their job and we shouldn't even notice them. You can quickly find out if a phone has a badly configured chip. For the Dimensity 1200 it currently looks positive.

However, it gets a little warm after about an hour.

Battery life so far suggests two days of moderate use is possible, but if you're playing a game, watching videos, and making video calls, it will likely drop to 30% by the end of the first day. The super-fast Warp Charge 65T charger from OnePlus brings the 4,500 mAh cell from flat to 100% in less than half an hour. This is the same system used on the OnePlus 9 Pro and an evolution of the Warp Charge 30T used on the Nord CE.

The alarm slider of the OnePlus Nord 2.Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

I haven't tested the 5G connection yet, but it's good to see that both slots in the dual SIM tray support it. The under-screen fingerprint sensor is fast and reliable, but not as lightning-fast as the sensor on the OnePlus 9 Pro. There's Face Unlock too, and it's very quick to respond.

Price and availability

The OnePlus Nord 2 will hit the UK, Europe and India on July 29th. There are currently no indications of a US launch. It will cost £ 399 and will be sold through OnePlus' own online store, Amazon, John Lewis retail stores, and the Three and O2 networks.

Our opinion

The OnePlus Nord 2 is either at the top of the Nord range or at the end of the OnePlus 9 range, which isn't a bad position. It takes a lot of what I like about the OnePlus 9 models – nice design, great screen, good performance and software, very fast charging and the alert slider – then it charges less for it.

It's a great start. I have to use the camera even more, assess the battery life, try the MediaTek powered 5G connection, and use the phone longer before I can make a final judgment, but for now the Nord 2 has impressed. However, I can't help but think that OnePlus would sell more if it were called the OnePlus 9 Lite.

Is there a better alternative?

For a smartphone priced at $ 500 or £ 400, we recommend the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G. It has a few advantages over the Nord 2 with water resistance, two day battery life, a microSD card slot, and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It's similarly powerful and has a great screen with a refresh rate of 120 Hz.

Alternatively, the Apple iPhone SE (2020) and Google Pixel 4a both cost roughly the same price and offer something different. The iPhone SE is much smaller but still offers a great iOS experience, while the Pixel 4a has an excellent camera.

How long it will take?

OnePlus promises two years of version updates for the Nord 2 plus four years of security updates. For comparison: Samsung also offers four years of security updates plus three years of Android version updates for the Galaxy A52 5G. The phone is not waterproof and is made of glass but has proven to be quite durable in my anecdotal experience. It has 5G so you can connect to the newest and fastest network and quickly charge the battery. It should easily survive the version updates that are guaranteed for two years.

Should you buy it?

At the moment, the OnePlus Nord 2 5G can't quite beat the Samsung Galaxy A52 5G, but that may change if I've been using the phone for a longer period of time. The number of points received by the phone at the moment is not final and is subject to change. Look out for a review update very soon.

Editor's recommendations



30 Jun
Blog

Beats Studio Buds Review: These Are The AirPods Pro Lite

Beats Studio Buds

"With the Studio Buds, Beats has found a perfect balance between functionality and price."

  • Inexpensive

  • Good sound quality

  • Good ANC

  • Good transparency

  • Very convenient

  • No wireless charging

  • No wear sensors

  • No EQ or control adjustment

With the exception of the Powerbeats Pro, which are primarily aimed at athletes, Beats by Dre has never made true wireless earbuds for everyday use. That surprising omission was finally addressed with the new $ 150 Beats Studio Buds, a set of ultra-compact Active Noise Cancellation (ANC) earphones that offer most of the benefits of the AirPods Pro at a much lower price. Are these the real wireless earbuds you've been waiting for? Let's find out.

What's in the box?

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Following a growing trend across the industry that we're excited about is the Studio buds come in a tiny cardboard box that has less structural rigidity than a packet of Rice Krispies. That means much less material to dispose of and it is fully recyclable.

Once embedded in your ears, the earbuds will only stick out a little.

Inside you will find the Studio Buds already in their charging case, two additional sets of silicone earplugs (media are installed as standard), some paper documentation and a very short USB-C to USB-C charging cable. Given that there are still a lot of people out there who don't have a USB-C port on their laptop or tablet or a USB-C charger, I think Beats a USB-A to USB-C adapter should have enclosed. Keep this in mind if you are one of the crowd without USB-C.

design

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The tiny Studio Buds use the same eartips as the AirPods Pro. Instead of the AirPods' iconic white stems, an unusual mohawk-like fin shape makes them a little easier to grip with your fingers. At the tip of the fin is a single physical control button. The intent is that when you take the Studio Buds out of their cases and angle them in your ears, you don't accidentally tap a touch control.

Once embedded in your ears, the earbuds stick out just a tiny bit – just enough to grab the fin or push the button.

Unlike the AirPods and AirPods Pro, the Studio Buds don't have optical sensors, so they can't automatically pause your music when you remove an earbud or resume playback when you put them back in.

The Studio Buds also lack Apple's H1 or W1 wireless chips, but even so, they're still considered a Class 1 Bluetooth device, and more importantly for Apple fans, they give you hands-free access to Siri (or Pushbutton access on google). Assistant on Android devices).

In keeping with Beats' reputation for sport-friendly headphones, the Studio Buds have an IPX4 rating, which should offer more than enough protection for a sweaty workout.

The Studio Buds are some of the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried.

The charging case isn't quite as compact as the AirPods or AirPods Pro and doesn't offer wireless charging, but its fully rounded contours make it comfortable to hold and still light and small enough to fit in your pocket.

A single LED on the front shows the charging status of the case, but to know how much charge the earbuds have, you need to consult your phone.

Comfort, controls and connections

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

The Studio Buds are some of the most comfortable earbuds I've ever tried. Their tiny shape and ventilated design reduce much of the "full-ear" feel that other in-ear headphones can create. I had no problem with the standard medium-sized earbuds, but with only two other sizes to choose from, it's hard to tell if everyone will be that lucky.

As with most physical buttons, the controls are precise and easy to use.

The rounded shape of the earphone body makes a lot of skin contact with the outer ear. In combination with a properly fitting earplug, the Studio Buds offer a more secure fit than the AirPods Pro. You may not get the confident understanding of an ear hook design like the Powerbeats Pro, but I doubt those buds will accidentally come off.

As with most physical buttons, the controls are precise and easy to use. One click handles play / pause / call acceptance / call end, two clicks jump forward and three clicks jump back. Unfortunately there is no way to change this and control the volume. Click and hold to toggle your ANC mode or activate your voice assistant, depending on which earbuds you're using.

I'd prefer some customization options here, but the downside is that you can use each earbud independently and the controls remain the same.

Pairing the Studio Buds is quick and easy on both iOS and Android. Simply opening the case lid while it's near your phone is usually enough to trigger a pairing notification with a tap of your finger, and that's all.

They don't support Bluetooth multipoint for pairing with two devices at the same time (but this is a very rare feature in wireless earbuds). The Bluetooth range is excellent: I was able to get around 25 meters outside and there were no problems roaming inside. The connection stayed rock solid the entire time, which we couldn't say about the Powerbeats Pro.

Sound quality

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats Studio Buds won't disappoint Beats fans: they have the same bass-forward sound signature that the brand is known for. As with all in-ear earphones, the fit determines how powerful this low-end gets. While I found both medium and large sized earbuds comfortable, the large earbuds provided more bass response.

The bass isn't quite as snappy as on more expensive earphones like the Jabra Elite 85t or the Sony WF-1000XM4, but it's decent enough for the price and actually better balanced than the similarly priced Jabra Elite 75t.

Fortunately, this deep bass is balanced out by the rest of the frequencies and only occasionally creeps into the lower mids, where it can seem slightly muddy. As with other Beats products, hip-hop, EDM, and rap music sound fantastic, but there is enough detail in the mids and highs to enjoy many other genres as well.

The Studio Buds have very good noise canceling.

Beats and Apple headphones never offered EQ adjustments, which never made sense to me. Earbuds come with different sized earbuds because each ear is different. For me, an EQ adjustment fixes the same kind of problem – not everyone will like the way the earbuds are tuned at the factory.

Noise cancellation and transparency

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

I know ANC is getting more affordable – heck, you can now get real ANC wireless earbuds for well under $ 100 – but I'm still impressed that Beats are adding it to Studio Buds and priced at $ 150 Could hold dollars.

See, not all ANCs are created equal. Bad ANC is just pointless and often introduces as much new noise in the form of hissing as it tries to suppress. The Studio Buds have very good noise canceling. It's not as good as what you get from the AirPods Pro, Jabra Elite 85t, or Sony WF-1000XM4, but they are solid performers and shave both low and high frequency sounds.

What's more impressive is that despite their ventilated design, they achieve this ANC level. Vents let a small amount of air into the ear to help make up for the clogged feeling closed earbuds can create, but this can make noise cancellation less effective. If I hadn't known the Studio Buds were ventilated, I wouldn't have known because of their ANC performance.

Transparency mode falls into a similar area – it's not exactly the "felt like I'm not wearing earbuds" effect of the AirPods Pro, but it's more than enough for having conversations or just being aware of potential hazards like traffic to be.

At startup, the earbuds will force you to toggle between ANC, Transparency, and Off mode, but Beats tells me that if you click and hold, you will only be able to use two of these in a future firmware update.

It would be nice to be able to fine-tune both ANC and transparency, but just like the EQ situation, this is simply not possible for the Studio Buds.

Call quality

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Despite the total of six microphones, the Studio Buds did not convince me with their call quality. Background noises weren't too annoying, but they were definitely audible. Some noises, such as cars driving by, were greatly reduced, while others – such as birdsong – did not seem to be affected at all.

Because the noise-canceling microphones process this noise, it is difficult for them to keep your voice perfectly clear. There's a lot of jiggling and sometimes it feels like you're far from the mic.

Things improve a lot when they are inside where they work well.

Find my buds

Beats Studio Buds

Beats Studio Buds

Apple's Find My platform is the ultimate lost item tracking service, with millions of iOS devices around the world constantly searching for compatible products such as AirTags or Apple Watches. The Studio Buds also belong on this list. They also work with Google's Find My feature when you pair them with an Android device.

The only minor downside is that the earbuds can only be forced to emit a sound when they are not in their case.

Android too

The Studio Buds stand out for being the first Beats product that plays (almost) well with Android devices like iPhones. There's a Beats app you can download from the Google Play Store to get software updates and check battery life, but right now it doesn't give you access to ANC modes or click-and-hold options like on iOS.

Battery life

Beats Studio BudsSimon Cohen / Digital Trends

Beats claims eight hours per charge for the earbuds with ANC and transparency turned off. If you enclose the two full charges in the charging case, you will get a total playing time of about 24 hours. Turn on ANC and those numbers will drop quite a bit, to five and 15 respectively.

At 50% volume, these claims are very accurate. In fact, I was able to last nine hours with ANC and transparency turned off.

There is also a quick charge option: five minutes of plug time gives you an extra hour of life.

Let's put that into perspective: the Powerbeats Pro get nine hours / 24 hours, but that's because they don't have an ANC. The AirPods Pro get 4.5 hours per charge (ANC on) or five hours (ANC off) and a total of around 24 hours with their case. While the Studio Buds may not win the overall award for Best Endurance, they are equal to or better than other Apple / Beats true wireless models.

Our opinion

With a tiny size, comfy fit, great sound quality, and ANC that gets the job done, the $ 150 Beats Studio Buds are by far the best value for money of the entire Beats / AirPods line of wireless headphones.

Is there a better alternative?

I think there's no better alternative to the Studio Buds given their $ 150 price point, but as long as the hands-free Siri isn't high on your wish list, this is the Jabra Elite 75t deserve serious consideration. They sound great (though maybe not as clear as the Studio Buds), and they have very good ANC and transparency, as well as slightly better battery life and loads of features like EQ and controls. Thanks to the great Jabra Sound + app, there is also a Find My Earbuds option.

How long will they last?

With an IPX4 rating and seemingly decent build quality, the Studio Buds should perform well for many years to come. Battery life is always an issue with these type of headphones, and you will likely find that the charge they can hold drops over time. They come with a one-year warranty from Apple.

Should you buy it?

Yes. Even if you are not an iPhone user, the Studio Buds are an excellent and affordable companion for music and movies.

Editor's recommendations



28 Mar
Blog

Nintendo Switch Lite Review: An Unapologetic Handheld

Nintendo Switch games dominate the 2019 Holidays Exclusive Survey Lite review feature

Nintendo Switch Lite – Gray

"Small improvements make the Switch Lite a little triumph."

  • Comfortable design

  • Sharp and vivid display

  • Solid battery life

  • Bring back the legendary D-Pad

  • Affordable

  • Slightly smaller game library

  • No support for TV mode

  • No motion control

This review was last updated on March 27th, 2020 by Lisa Marie Segarra, Gaming Editor of Digital Trends.

With the release of Nintendo Switch – the company's hybrid grab-and-go console – Nintendo finally found a happy medium for console and handheld gamers. The Switch's ability to switch between TV and handheld modes at the touch of a finger was and remains its biggest attraction. Even so, some sacrifices were made to appeal to a wider audience.

The switch isn't as compact as the company's earlier handhelds, like the venerable Nintendo 3DS. It tends to finger cramps during long game sessions and has a short battery life that is not ideal for games on the go. Nintendo removed the ability to switch from the equation and gave us the Switch Lite, an intrepid return to handheld gaming that is a solution to all of these problems.

Small and wild

The Switch Lite dispenses with the Joy-Cons and has an all-in-one design. It is almost an inch shorter and therefore more compact than the original. At 9.7 ounces, it's lighter, but not so strong that it feels weak. Instead, you get a more portable console that you can put in the side pocket of a backpack or bag on the go.

To keep small but nice Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Although the Switch Lite is smaller than its predecessor, it is incredibly comfortable to hold. The layout differs slightly because the shoulder buttons are higher and the release buttons are slightly longer than with the normal switch. Instead of the four separate direction buttons of the Joy-Cons, a D-Pad is also introduced.

This ensures a smoother and more precise input, since no divot has to be moved each time a key is pressed. It feels good to play Super Mario Maker 2 levels the way I remember playing classic Super Mario games as a kid. The ergonomic shape of the Switch Lite lies well in your hands. The improved button layout gives the handheld the impression that it was designed for long handheld games.

It was introduced in a small selection of colors – gray, yellow or turquoise – with cream-colored buttons, which represent a nice contrast on the gray console and complement the variants turquoise and yellow. A version of Pokemon Sword and Shield is now available, and Nintendo is likely to have plans for even more colors and designs, and announced a new version of the coral in 2020, a strategy the company used on previous handhelds. With its small size, variety of colors and matt surface, the Switch Lite has an enchanting aesthetic that children and Nintendo fans will love.

In terms of performance and battery life, the Switch Lite has a smaller and more energy-efficient Tegra chip than the original Switch. According to Nintendo, this contributes to a longer battery life. Given that portability is a key feature of Switch Lite, this is definitely one of the most important upgrades to consider.

Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

According to Nintendo, the Switch Lite will offer around three to seven hours of game time. In comparison, the original switch promised about 2.5 to 6.5 hours. Playing Link & # 39; s Awakening at 50% brightness on the Switch Lite offered about four hours of play. It took about three and a half hours at full brightness.

If you want to pass the time during a commute or if you have to keep the kids (or yourself) busy for a few hours, I would say that the Switch Lite does a stand-up job. It didn't take six hours, but it was a good distraction for a good part of it. I wish the Switch Lite had the same extended battery life as the redesigned Nintendo Switch, but its small size and cheaper price could be the reason why it isn't.

A serious handheld

There are no obvious differences in gaming performance. The properties of Nintendo are still very soft on the Switch Lite. Drifting through Bowser's castle in Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is still as satisfying as I remember it. Still, Xenoblade Chronicles 2 still suffers from texture loading issues, and the occasional drop in frame rate is barely noticeable in Link & # 39; s awakening. Basically, games that weren't that hot on the original Switch will still not be as good on the Switch Lite.

While playing on my handheld and comparing the two, I found the 5.5-inch touchscreen and 720p resolution of the Switch Lite display to be sharper and more vivid than the screen on the original Switch. This is probably due to what the Switch's native resolution looks like on a smaller screen, but the difference is noticeable.

Livelier and sharper display Julian Chokkattu / Digital Trends

Despite their differences, the Switch Lite offers many of the same offerings as the original. The operating system is the same, that is, it has the same functions – and their lack. There is no native chat support (at least not without a little help from game developers) and, as mentioned by Business Insider, still no Bluetooth audio support.

Switch Lite's lack of Bluetooth support for wireless headphones is a potential problem for some, but more environmentally conscious. Wireless earphones contribute to the problem of electronic waste due to their short lifespan and inability to be repaired. And if you really want Bluetooth audio, buy an adapter – one of several cool Switch Lite accessories you'll end up investing in. There is also the included additional connection for wired headphones, which offers better audio for games anyway.

It is also worth noting that the Switch Lite does not support the entire switch library. This makes sense: The Switch Lite does not have a dock, an HDMI output or Joy-Cons. This means that he cannot connect to the TV and has no motion control. By default, only games that can be played in handheld mode are supported. You can find these on the back of the game bag or on the page under the supported game modes in Nintendo eShop.

This has no significant impact on your options. However, if you want to play Just Dance or try Nintendo Labo, you should use the standard switch. As someone who only plays the switch in handheld mode, these options are not missed. You can buy Joy-Cons and see a booth if you are interested in games that require support in tabletop mode. However, this is an additional part of the money exchange out of your pocket that may be better spent on a normal switch.

Our opinion

For handheld players, the Nintendo Switch Lite is a little triumph. Its compact body makes it more portable than the original switch, and its ergonomic design feels good during long gaming sessions. These small improvements combined with the return of the D-Pad and an impressive display make the Switch Lite the best dedicated Nintendo handheld ever.

That said, it's a handheld through and through. Without a dock, HDMI support or Joy-Cons, the Switch Lite does not offer TV support or motion control, which has a minor impact on your gaming options. Battery life could be better, but it's an improvement over the original.

Is there a better alternative?

No, the Nintendo Switch Lite is currently the best handheld you can get. The closest competitors would be the Nintendo 3DS or the PlayStation Vita, but fewer games are released on the 3DS and the PS Vita is no longer supported by Sony. Both are dated compared to the Switch Lite.

How long it will take?

Nintendo systems have a 12-month warranty that covers defects, but no physical damage. In terms of relevance, the Switch Lite has the potential to hold on to the next generation of Nintendo consoles. As the Sony PS5 and Xbox Scarlett hit the market next year, popular first-party exclusive products and an ever-expanding game library make the Switch Lite a remarkable option, especially for gamers looking for a dedicated handheld.

Should you buy it

Yes. The Switch Lite is the best handheld console you can buy today, and possibly the best ever made.

Updated March 27, 2020: Updated information about the new Coral Switch Lite model.

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