The Nintendo Switch OLED announcement was a major letdown, and not because it was not the much rumoured Pro model. In fact, the only difference between it and the original was the OLED display, the added LAN port, and a better kickstand. And of the three, only the last one was a significant improvement. Despite this, a new report indicates that the company is putting a major premium for these changes.
Bloomberg reports that the upgrades to the Nintendo Switch OLED makes it cost about US$10 (~RM42) more to make than the standard model. Though that figure ballooned to a US$50 markup for consumers, since it is priced at US$350 as opposed to the original’s US$300.
Which seems like potential buyers are getting the raw end of the deal, since we’re getting a lower DPI rating thanks to the larger, 7-inch display maintaining the 720p resolution. And while a major improvement, it seems unfair to justify the price hike with just a better kickstand.
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Kazunori Ito, head of equity research at Morningstar, is of a similar opinion, according to the Bloomberg report. He is quoted as saying that the Nintendo Switch OLED “failed to provide enough added value to justify a US$50 bump in the new hardware”, going as far as calling it “half baked”. Though the opinion is not unanimous, as independent consultant Serkan Toto says that the company has enough goodwill to cash out with this US$50 squeeze.
All that being said, it’s not known yet what kind of price tag the Nintendo Switch OLED will sport when it reaches our shores. Though being the new hot stuff in town, there’s a chance the existing models will see a price drop as a result. Which will make them a more compelling value deal.
(Source: Bloomberg)
