In October 2021, Nintendo launched its first OLED gaming console, the Nintendo Switch OLED. The new OLED device is popular - eight months after the launch Nintendo announced it shipped over 5.8 million devices, and now the company announced it has sold over 7 million Nintendo Switch OLED devices in Japan alone. Nintendo is now selling around 2.5 million units per quarter, and this means that global sales are likely over 20 million.
The Nintendo Switch is a popular device - total lifetime sales across all variants are over 130 million units. The OLED model was the clear preference for people buying a Switch recently. The Nintendo Switch OLED model is an upgrade to the original Switch with a 7-inch 1280x720 OLED display (produced by Samsung Display). The Nintendo Switch OLED model is now shipping globally for $349.
A few months ago there were reports that Nintendo is working on its next-generation console that will replace the Switch and Switch OLED devices, which will utilize an 8" LCD display. These reports haven't been verified - but if true this could be a disappointment for Nintendo fans who clearly love the higher quality OLED display.
The mobile gaming console market is turning to become a substantial market for OLED makers, especially for Samsung Display that also produces the 7.4" AMOLED panel used in the Steam Deck OLED device. If you want to learn more about this market, the OLED Toolbox provides a trend analysis on OLEDs for gaming consoles as part of its insights section.
