With the release of the new DS system, it’s not always clear exactly what has changed. As a super simplistic comparison, here’s a side-by-side physical and observational breakdown of the similarities and differences between Nintendo’s DS Lite and the DSi handheld game systems.
Also check out the Photo Gallery of comparison shots of the two systems next to each other as well the several of just the DSi.
Note that, for the images on this page, the DSi is on the left and the DS Lite is on the right. That may not be the case in all of the Photo Gallery images.
| Nintendo DSi | Nintendo DS Lite | |
| Cost: | $169.99 | $129.99 |
| Release Date: | April 5, 2009 | November 24, 2004 |
| Weight: | 7.4 oz (210 g) | 7.4 oz (210 g) |
| Width: | 5 3/8 in. (5.375 in). | 5 1/4. in (5.25 in). |
| Length: | 5 3/8 in. (5.375 in.) | 5 3/16 in. (5.1875 in.) |
| Thickness: | 3/4 in. (0.75 in.) | 13/16 in. (0.8125 in.) |
| Top Screen: | ||
| Bottom Screen: | ||
| Face/Top of Open System: | ||
| Front Edge: | ||
| Right Edge: | ||
| Top Edge: | ||
| Left Edge: | + and – volume buttons | Nothing. |
| Top: |
| Nintendo DSi | Nintendo DS Lite | |
| Preloaded Software: | ||
| Camera: | None. | |
| Internal Storage: | 256 MB (aka 1000 blocks) | 256 K Serial Flash Memory |
| Settings: | GBA mode/screen preference) test/calibration |
| Nintendo DSi | Nintendo DS Lite | |
| Downlaodable Content: | None. | |
| Compatibility: | ||
| Screens: | ||
| RAM: | 16 MB | 4 MB |
| WiFi: | ||
| CPU: | CPU | |
| Battery: | ||
| Slots | DS Memory Expansion Pak, Guitar Grip) |
| Nintendo DSi | Nintendo DS Lite | |
| Additional Notes: | free through the DSiWare Shop | |
point just before it is parrallel with the base. | just before it is parrallel with the base. | |
finger prints). | prints). | |
the system not compatible with any other system. | system not compatible with any other system. | |
work with the DSi. The exception are headphones (the audio port is the same as the DS). | system (except cases) will wirk with the DS. | |
or restart after changing Settings or exiting applications. | Settings. | |
of status indictations including WiFi. | status indications. | |
the lid is closed, dimming the screens but keeping the game active (and conserving power). | lid is closed, dimming the screens but keeping the game active (and conserving power). | |
card slot to install modified applications, as well as the Opera web browser to download apps. | cards in GBA cart cases) and cards specially developed for the DS slot. | |
record audio and manipulate it with basic settings. Audio can be save inernally or on an SD card. | ||
digital camera (button-press swappable) and manipulate images using basic tools. Images can be saved internaly or on an SD card. | ||
the DSi Store and are purchased using the Nintendo Points system (you can use Wii Points) at a rate of $1 per point, sold in increments of $10 or 1000 points. DSiWare games can be saved to the internal memory. | ||
which may indicate is a hard limit to the number of installed DSiWare games and applications. | ||
DSi games using the WiFi connection. |
Photo Gallery [Gamertell]
HI THERE WOW WHAT A BIG DIFFEREANCE BETWEEN THE DS LITE AND THE DSI I HAVE BOTH MODELS
HI THERE FORGOT TOO MENCHINE YOU SAID THERE WERE 39 SLOTS BUT IN THE NINTENDO DSI MANUAL SAYS YOU CAN STORE UP TO 300 APPS AND GAMES AND STORE 400 PICTUERS ON THE INTERNAL MEMORY OR 3,000 PIUCTUERS USEING A SD CARD SOO ANY BODY DOWN LOAD MORE THEN 40 ITEMS SHOULD BE FINE BY THE DSI MANUAL I JUST DONT THINK IT WOULD SHOW ALL 300 SLOTS AT FIRST BECUSE I DONT THINK ANY BODY WOULD DOWNLOAD 300 APPS AND GAMES ON THE FIRST DAY OF RELEASE THATS PROBALY WHY IT SHOWS ONLY 39 SLOTS THE ONLY DOWN LOAD I DID WAS THE FREE WEB BROWSER
HI THERE YOUR RIGHT ONCE MASS DSI GAMES AND APPS FILL UP THE MEMORY THEN YOU WILL NEED TOO BUY A SD CARD THE NINTENDO DSI CURENTLY SUPPORTS UP TO A 32 GB SDHC CARD IF NINTENDO NEEDS MORE THEN 32 GB THEN THEY WOULD SUPORT THE NEW SDXC CARDS UP TO 2 TB SDXC CARDS I WOUNDER IF ANY ONE CAN FILL UP A 2 TERABYTE SD CARD THROUGH A SOFTWARE UPGRADE LIKE THEY DID WITH WII WHEN THEY RAN OUT OF 512 MB OF MEMORY WII NOW SUPORTS UP TOO A 32 GB SDHC CARD
Thank you for such a detailed comparison between the two systems. However, your photos are flip-flopped and don't match the correct columns of information, which kinda threw me off. (Your DS lite info is on the left, but the photo for the DS lite is on the right hand side.)
Other than that, I really appreciated the time you took to compare them!
I agree about the pictures above the comparison tables, SOMEONE NEEDS TO SWAP THEM AROUND, or better, leave the DSI on the left and MOVE THE COMPARISON COLUMNS to match.
Most people will be wanting to get a DSI and so naturally will want that info on the left where it can be seen quicker when looking for details of what we might be buying.
There are also a few spelling mistakes, a minor point but as webmaster of http://www.websitesediting.net, it is something that I point out to webmasters if they ask for my help in correcting errors.
The iPhone and iPod Touch have a similar issue with menu slots. With the iPhone's/iPod Touch, you can own and download more apps than slots, but you cannot access them through the device's menu. You have to remove items from the menu in iTunes and then reload the apps. The hardware and storage space simply allow for more than the menu system will show.
With all the free app on the Apple App Store, that quickly became an issue. But, you are right, it's impossible to fill up the DSi (for now). It'll likely become an issue in the next year much as the limited space on the Wii became an issue.
All right, all right, I'll switch the DS Lite/DSi columns around.