This year is a great time to buy a Nintendo Switch OLED – here's why

We are on the precipice of a new era for the Nintendo Switch. I've been searching for prices on this handheld console for six years now, so I have a unique insight into the infinitesimal fluctuations in price that happen to the Switch console over Black Friday and Cyber Monday – and this year is like no other.

With the Switch 2 launching next year, I think it's unlikely we'll see any more major reductions on the standard Switch console for a long time. This means that it's a special time to get a very low price on the OLED console – a device that will stand the test of time for a while yet. Here's what I think will happen, and why I think now is generally a good time to buy an OLED, although you have just missed most of the deals that were around over the Black Friday weekend. Here's hoping they start popping up again before Christmas.

• Buy Nintendo Switch OLED bundle for $299 at Walmart
• Buy imported Nintendo Switch console for $308.97 at Walmart
• Get Nintendo Switch OLED for £233.99 at OnBuy
• There's still offers on Switch games at Amazon
• Shop Nintendo Switch deals at Best Buy

01. We'll say bye-bye to the original console

I wouldn't recommend buying the original Switch console this year. I think it will be discontinued, and it is eight years old now. Unless you're really on a budget I think the shelf life is limited, and this will be cut from the range.

02. The RRP will rise on the range's premium device

With the Switch 2 rumoured to retail at around $400, the most expensive console in the range will be more expensive than it currently is (the OLED has an RRP of $349/£299.99). The OLED console is said to be reducing to around $300, which the same price as the current basic Switch. I don't see any changes coming for the Lite.

03. Deals will dry up

In this scenario, it's likely deals will dry up. We haven't seen any significant price drops on either current console until this year, so with the OLED set as the base model, there probably won't be any real reductions on it moving forward. This means the current deals running for Cyber Monday could be as good as it gets for a few years at least.

Still deciding? See our Nintendo Switch vs Nintendo Switch OLED article, and deals below: