What Is the Difference in a DSi XL and a DSi?

Dimensions and Weight

• The original Nintendo DSi measures 5.4 inches wide, 2.6 inches deep and 0.7 inches thick with its lid closed. It weighs 7.5 ounces before optional upgrades and accessories, and without any cartridges loaded. The Nintendo DSi XL is both heavier and larger all around, measuring 6.3 inches wide, 3.6 inches deep and 0.8 inches thick with its lid closed. It weighs 11.1 ounces before optional upgrades and accessories, and without any cartridges loaded.

Displays

• The most notable difference between the two devices is that the DSi XL's screens are larger. The original DSi's screens each measure 3.25 inches diagonally. The DSi XL's screens measure 4.2 inches diagonally, providing almost double the total screen real estate, according to Engadget. The bottom screens on both devices are touch sensitive and can be controlled via an included stylus. The top screens are the standard color TFT active matrix variety and display a maximum of 262,144 colors. The screens on both devices have display resolutions of 256 by 192 pixels.

Features

• The DSi and DSi XL are powered by the same 134-megahertz ARM9 processor. Both feature a pair of integrated VGA-quality cameras, built-in microphones and 802.11b/g Wi-Fi functionality. Both the DSi and DSi XL are compatible with standard Nintendo DS game cartridges. Nintendo also outfitted both devices with SD memory card slots for saving and transferring game data and other files. A pair of integrated stereo speakers play back sound on both devices. Though the speakers themselves are the same on both models, the DSi XL has larger speaker enclosures, and as a result it can play audio at a slightly higher volume than the DSi. Both devices also have 3.5-mm headphone jacks.

Battery Life and Additional Information

• Rechargeable lithium-ion battery packs provide onboard power to both devices. The DSi comes equipped with an 840-mAh battery that provides a maximum of 14 hours of battery life per charge when on the dimmest screen brightness setting. The DSi XL comes with a 1,050-mAh battery that provides a maximum of 17 hours of battery life per charge under the same brightness settings.