Nintendo Switch vs Steam Deck? Which console is right for you? Sit back as we compare both handheld consoles across various metrics and highlight which one is better in 2025.
Nintendo Switch launched in 2017 and has been a massive success with over 150.86 million units sold by December 2024, making it the second highest-selling console after PlayStation 2. The console completely revamped the landscape of handheld consoles, providing quality video games with seamless portability.
However, in 2022, Valve dropped its handheld offering- the Steam Deck. Once again, this console disrupted the handheld market, allowing players to play their favorite Steam games on the go. According to Valve, Steam Deck OLED has been massively successful.
In this blog, we will compare both gaming consoles and highlight which console you should buy in 2025. Let’s dive into this comparison between the Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch.
Table of Contents
Here is a side-by-side comparison of the specifications of Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck.
| Specs | Nintendo Switch | Steam Deck |
| CPU | NVIDIA Tegra-based ARM Cortex-A57 | AMD Zen2 |
| APU | NVIDIA Tegra X1 | AMD Van Gogh (Aerith on LCD/ Sephiroth on OLED) |
| GPU | NVIDIA Maxwell | AMD RDNA 2 |
| Audio | Stereo Speakers, Bluetooth Headphones, 3.5mm Jack | Stereo Speakers, Bluetooth Headphones, 3.5mm Jack |
| Screen | 7-inch, 1280×720, LCD/OLED | 7-inch, 1280×720, LCD/OLED |
| RAM | 4GB LPDDR 4 | 16GB LPDDR5 |
| Storage | 32 GB of Internal Memory (expandable via MicroSD) | 64GB eNMC, 256GB/512 GB NVMe SSD |
| Battery Life | 4,310 mAh (4.5-9 hours) | 40 Watt Hour (6-10 hours) |
| CPU Clock Speed | 1.02 Ghz | 2.4-3.5 Ghz |
| GPU Clock Speed | 307-768 MHz | 1-1.6 GHz |
| Cores/Threads | 4 | 4 | 4 | 8 |
| Native Resolution | 1280×720 | 1280×800 |
| Refresh Rate | 60Hz | 60Hz (LCD), 90Hz (OLED) |
| Weight | 0.93lbs (420g) LCD0.71lbs (322g) OLED | 1.47lbs (669g) LCD1.41lbs (640g) OLED |
| Dimensions | 9.5x4x0.55 inch (242x102x13.9mm) | 11.7×4.6×1.8 inch (298x117x49mm) |
| Connectivity | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1x USB, Type-C | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, 1x USB Type-C with Display Port 1.4 support |
On paper, the Steam Deck is significantly more powerful than the Nintendo Switch. This is also because it was released 5 years after the Nintendo Switch.
The Switch features outdated hardware from 2017 with virtually no future-proofing. However, all the Switch exclusive games like Pokémon Go or The Legend of Zelda run lag-free even in 2025.
On the other hand, the Steam Deck has two variants that do have some differences but are the same performance-wise. By just reviewing the spec sheet, you can see that the Steam Deck is the clear winner. However, if only it were that simple.
In addition to the Steam Deck vs Nintendo Switch comparison, we have evaluated both consoles based on various factors like experience, design, game library, and more.
Also Read :- Top Open-World Games Like Far Cry to Try in 2025
Nintendo has always prioritized gameplay above anything else. That’s why their games cater to gamers of all ages. They also followed this approach with the user experience of the Switch.
In fact, the console is called “Switch” as it lets players easily switch from handheld mode to deck mode. The handheld console comes with two Joy-Cons that can be detached and serve as a controller.
Moreover, Nintendo is known for its portable offerings in the past. With handheld consoles like the Game Boy Advance and Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo specialized in portability. The same can be said for Switch. Players can carry the portable console anywhere and play on the go or connect it to a deck station and enjoy games on a bigger screen.
Steam Deck is a Linux-based portable console that allows players to access their Steam library on the go. With the Steam Deck, you can play any Steam game just like a desktop. Want to play AAA titles like Black Myth: Wukong or Red Dead Redemption on a handheld console? You can do it with the Steam Deck.
While it does not provide detachable controllers and a vibrant design like the Switch, it makes up for it with its sheer performance, additional triggers, and customizable controls. Moreover, player progress is saved on the cloud, meaning you can resume your gaming session on your PC.
On the design front, Nintendo Switch takes the prize with its vibrant colors and detachable controllers. While the dimensions and overall design are quite similar to the Steam Deck with some minor button and stick placements.
It features a big screen and two joycon controllers with top left and middle right stick placements. The left buttons are at the bottom, and the right ones are at the top, along with 4 triggers at the top.
The Steam Deck features a basic handheld console layout with joysticks on either side, the D-pad on the left, and action buttons on the right. It also comes with triggers placed at the top. Along with that, you get your basic Menu, Select, Start, and Steam buttons for added functionality.
Since it was released in 2017, the Nintendo Switch has a resolution of 1280×720 with a 60Hz refresh rate. Moreover, both devices have LCD screens that are not great by any means. In fact, they seem to be quite dull but manageable.
The Steam Deck has a fairly good screen with a resolution of 1280×800 with a refresh rate of 60Hz. However, the Steam Deck OLED version takes the refresh rate up to 90Hz and offers a pretty vibrant and usable display. If you want an immersive gaming experience, we suggest the OLED version of Steam Deck.
Nintendo Switch has a vast game library as the company is also a critically-acclaimed game developer. It has developed and produced popular games like the Mario series, the Pokémon series, the Legend of Zelda series, the Metroid series, and many more. All of these games and their recent releases are available on Nintendo Switch, providing players with an extensive game library.
Steam Deck provides access to your entire Steam library on a portable device. If you have a big Steam library, most of those games are compatible with the Steam Deck, excluding some ultra-modern games. However, popular games like Red Dead Redemption 2, Elden Ring, DOTA 2, and others can be played on the portable device.
In terms of gaming library, the Steam Deck far outclasses the Nintendo Switch with many AAA as well as indie titles available.
.Also Read:-The Power of Video Game Music: How Soundtracks Shape Gaming Experiences
With a 4,310 mAh battery, the Switch barely holds up for a couple of hours before dying. Moreover, it does not even support fast-charging since it was released way back in 2017. Moreover, heavy, graphic-intensive games like DOOM: Eternal and Wolfenstein drain the Switch’s battery in under two hours in some cases.
While the regular Steam Deck features a 40Wh battery, the OLED version has a slightly better 50Wh. However, the battery life is still not up to the mark. If you are playing a AAA game like RDR2 on maximum brightness, the Steam Deck only lasts about 2 to 4 hours at max.
More intensive AAA titles will drain the Steam Deck quickly, churning out only around 2 hours of battery life.
When compared with the Steam Deck, the Switch has many better variants and models. Over the years, Nintendo has released various franchise-based models for different types of gamers. There are over 19 different Switch variants based on different game franchises, including The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, Monster Hunter: Rise, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Mario, and more.
When it comes to the Steam Deck, there are no official special variants. However, many third-party companies like Dbrand and PopSkin have released Steam Deck skins. That’s about it.
The Nintendo Switch was released in 2017 and turned 8 in 2015. However, the good news is that Nintendo just announced that the Switch 2 will launch later this year. According to sources, the new console will look similar to the Switch but with a massive improvement in performance and hardware. It is also expected that Switch’s successor will have new buttons and magnetic attachments instead of the rail-based ones in the first version.
Steam Deck launched in 2022 and is still quite popular among players. In 2023, the OLED version was released with slightly better specifications. It is a great portable console, and Valve would want to keep the hype going. While we have no official news for its successor, Valve will eventually launch a better, upgraded version to compete with other portable consoles in the future.
Both the Nintendo Switch and Steam Deck have their unique strengths, making the choice between them highly dependent on your gaming preferences. If you prefer exclusive first-party titles, vibrant designs, and a family-friendly gaming experience, Nintendo Switch is a better option. However, if you are looking for raw power, AAA gaming on the go, and seamless Steam compatibility, then the Steam Deck is the better choice.
Ultimately, if you value performance, flexibility, and specifications, go with the Steam Deck unless you want to play Switch exclusive games like Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda.
Ans. Since the Switch is a fairly old gaming console, the Steam Deck is far superior in terms of performance. It has better on-paper specifications, better GPU, better cores, and overall better performance. In fact, it also allows players to play AAA games like Cyberpunk 2077, Red Dead Redemption 2, and more on the go.
Ans. No, games that are not available on the Nintendo Switch are not compatible with the portable console. However, some PC games do feature cross-platform compatibility and are available on both platforms.
Ans. If you value performance and an extensive game library, Steam Deck is by far the best handheld console in 2025. However, Nintendo recently announced the “Switch 2,” which could be better than the Deck in terms of performance.
Ans. Steam Deck allows players to access their entire Steam library on handheld devices. However, games that are not optimized for the Steam Deck are not compatible on the console.
Ans. Both handheld consoles have a pretty bad battery life. However, the Steam Deck provides a better screen on time compared to the Switch OLED.
Ans. Yes, both portable consoles support external accessories like controllers, docks, and headphones. Switch even has detachable Joy-Cons, which can serve as separate controllers.
Ans. If you prefer local multiplayer gaming, Nintendo Switch is the better choice as it offers detacahable Joy-cons which function as controller, allowing players to enjoy the game with their friends.
