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What Does the Nintendo DSi XL Do That the DSi Doesn't Do?

The Nintendo DSi and Nintendo DSi XL are handheld video game and multimedia devices released by Nintendo in 2009 and 2010, respectively. Although the DSi XL can̵7;t technically do anything that the DSi can̵7;t, it's a slightly different device that offers a somewhat improved gaming experience, primarily as a result of its larger display screens and higher capacity battery.

Displays
- Nintendo outfitted the original Nintendo DSi with a pair of 3.25-inch displays, while the Nintendo DSi XL features a pair of 4.2-inch displays. This added screen real estate provides DSi XL gamers with almost double the total combined viewing space available on the Nintendo DSi. Screens on both devices are situated one above the other and have resolutions of 256-by-192 pixels. The top screens on both devices display up to 262,000 colors. Bottom screens feature touch-screen functionality controlled by a stylus.
Features
- Both the Nintendo DSi and DSi XL play Nintendo DS game cartridges. Identical ARM9 processors with clock speeds of 134 megahertz provide processing power to both devices. Nintendo also equipped both devices with Wi-Fi capabilities, integrated microphones and built-in digital cameras that take VGA-quality images and videos. The DSi and DSi XL also come equipped with Secure Digital media card slots, 3.5-millimeter headphone outputs and integrated stereo speakers. Although speaker specifications on both units are identical, because the Nintendo DSi XL is larger and is equipped with bigger speaker enclosures, sound can be played at a somewhat higher volume than on the DSi.
Batteries
- Both devices are powered by integrated rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs. The Nintendo DSi gets up to 14 hours of battery life per charge from its 840-mAh battery, when its screens are set as dim as possible. The DSi XL gets a maximum of 17 hours of battery life per charge out of its 1,050-mAh lithium-ion battery, provided its screens are also set to their dimmest brightness settings.
Portability
- The Nintendo DSi measures 2.6 inches tall, 5.4 inches wide and 0.7 inches thick at its thickest point, with its lid shut. It weighs 7.5 oz. before optional accessories and upgrades. The Nintendo DSi XL is slightly larger, measuring 3.6 inches tall, 6.3 inches wide and 0.8 inches thick at its thickest point, with its lid shut. It is also heavier than the Nintendo DSi, weighing in at 11.1 oz. before optional accessories and upgrades. Because of its smaller size and lighter weight, the DSi is ultimately more portable than the DSi XL.

Nintendo DS