Nintendo Switch was originally launched in 2017, and it quickly became a household device like the Nintendo consoles of the past. It gained massive popularity because of itsversatility and new gameplay experiences, which pushed it to become the third most sold console ever after the PlayStation 2 and the Nintendo DS. After 7 years, talks about a true successor have been surfacing, including leaks and rumors hinting at what to expect from the Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Switch
As of now, Nintendo has not shared any official information about the new Switch, so the following information should be taken with a grain of salt. Nintendo Switch 2 is not the official name for the upcoming console, but for the sake of simplicity, that’s the naming convention we’re going with.
Nintendo Switch 2: Is it real?
The successor to the Nintendo Switch is definitely real, and the company is working on it. Shuntaro Furukawa, the president of Nintendo,had confirmed earlier this yearthat they are expected to make an announcement about the Switch successor this fiscal year. Given that this fiscal year will end on July 23, 2025, we can expect an official announcement before that. While this gives confirmation of the console’s existence, it is still unclear if the announcement will take place in 2024 or early 2025, as there have been rumors supporting both timelines.
Furthermore, reports from Gamescom last year suggested that Nintendo allegedlyshowed developers the Switch 2as part of a tech demo. They were shown an upgraded version of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild that was supposedly running on hardware expected to be in the Switch 2. It was also reported that this hardware was running The Matrix Awakens Unreal Engine 5 tech demo using Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling technology. The graphics were said to be on par with the PS5 and the Xbox Series X.
PlayStation 5 Slim Disc Edition
The Sony PlayStation 5’s slim console upgrade offers the same functionality as the launch unit but throws in increased storage (1TB), an additional front USB-C port, and a much more compact frame, making for an ideal console purchase for users still on the fence.Priced $50 more than its digital edition, the disc edition already trades at a $50 discount over MSRP and comes with a Dualsense controller, an HDMI 2.1 cable, an AC power cable, and documentation as part of the package, making for a complete package for gamers looking to hook one up to a monitor or TV out of the box.
Xbox Series X
Microsoft’s ninth-generation console, the Xbox Series X is a powerful machine that can support 4K resolution and 60 fps, depending on the game. Released alongside the Xbox Series S, the Series X has a Custom AMD Zen 2 CPU, a Custom RDNA 2 GPU, and 16 GB of RAM.
Nintendo Switch 2: Expected Specifications
The various leaks and rumors suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 will be a more iterative update rather than a whole new revolutionary gaming system. As per an internal email between Activision’sChris Schnakenberg and other employees, the Switch 2 will be closer to the PS4 and Xbox One consoles in terms of performance. So, if you’re expecting current generation console performance, you’d be disappointed. But that’s understandable, as Nintendo has never been in pursuit of the most powerful hardware.
The upcoming console is expected to be powered by the Nvidia’s T239 chip, which is more performant than the current Switch’s Nvidia Tegra X1. However, it has been pointed out that the new chip may not have the Deep Learning Accelerator components required forupscaling to 4K.
As for the size, the upcoming console is said to be bigger than the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch OLED, but still have the detachable Joy-con style controllers, albeit a little bigger this time and with magnets. The Switch 2 may come with an 8-inch display that could be an LCD instead of an OLED one. Considering the Nintendo Switch OLED already exists, it would make sense for the successor to come with an OLED as well, but that may not be the case and the reason for this is said to be affordability. Using an LCD will be cheaper than using an OLED, which would help keep the price of the Switch 2 down.
Nintendo Switch OLED
Nintendo’s newest system features a vibrant 7-inch OLED screen, a wide adjustable stand, a dock with a wired LAN port, 64 GB of internal storage, and enhanced audio. Improvements to visuals, audio, and connectivity make a strong impact on highly detailed gameplay and setup is extremely easy.
It could, however, come with improved storage options similar to its competition, the Steam Deck and ASUS ROG Ally. We could see 64GB eMMC storage with the base model Switch 2. As for RAM, 8GB LPDDR5 is expected, which is double the current generation console’s memory.
Steam Deck
Valve’s long-awaited portable console is here, and it’s taking the handheld gaming market by storm. Valve partnered with AMD to create Steam Deck’s custom APU, optimized for handheld gaming. It is a Zen 2 + RDNA 2 powerhouse, delivering more than enough performance to run the latest AAA games in a very efficient power envelope.
Steam Deck OLED
The Steam Deck OLED is the perfect handheld gaming console for gamers who wish to take their games on the go. It brings the entire Steam library in a handheld form factor that is ergonomic, grippy, and easy to use. The OLED model is an upgrade to the standard LCD model of the Steam Deck, and it boasts a slightly larger display that is brighter, sharper and refreshes at 90 Hz.
Asus ROG Ally
The Asus ROG Ally is the ultimate handheld system for PC gamers. Relying on the new AMD Ryzen Z1 series of processors, the ROG Ally can handle any game thrown at it. The 7-inch 1080p Full HD display with FreeSync Premium on the system provides gamers with a crystal clear and smooth gaming experience. The advantage of the ROG Ally is that it can run most Windows-compatible games and is compatible with Xbox Game Pass titles. It also comes with 3 months of Game Pass Ultimate. The ROG Ally also features an ergonomic design that makes gaming for long periods enjoyable.
Asus ROG Ally X
The ASUS ROG Ally X is the successor to the ROG Ally, and it comes with a host of improvements. It is powered by the same Z1 Extreme APU but comes with 24GB of RAM and 1TB of storage with the M.2 SSD being a standard 2280 form factor. There is an additional exhaust vent to keep the mainboard cool.
Nintendo Switch 2: Design and Form Factor
Recently,images (CAD designs) for the Switch 2that fall in line with the older shipping manifest leak were leaked and these are supposedly the images that were shown to Nintendo partners. They show glimpses of the console and its design, along with the Joy-cons. The layout of the controls seems to be the same as the original console, but with an obviously larger display. There also seems to be a USB Type-C port at the bottom and one at the top, next to the exhaust vents. The flip out kickstand may be replaced with a Microsoft Surface style kickstand.
The shipping summary (translated) also points to some more details about the components inside the Switch 2:
SoCl (CPU + GPU) model: GMLX30-R-A1.
Memory model: MT62F768M64D4EK-026 (6GX2 dual channel, LPDDR5X, 7500 MT/s)
Flash memory model: THGJFGT1E45BAILHW0 (256GB, UFS 3.1, manufactured by Kaixia, 2100 MB/s).
NFC reader model: NXP IPN7160B1HN
Built-in microphone model: CMB-MIC-X7.
Dual cooling fans, model BSM0405HPJH9 and BSM0505HPJQC (copper gaming heat sink).
Video signal conversion (DisplayPort to HDMI) must be a chip model; Ruixian RTD2175N must be chip (support HDMI 2.1).
Network chip model: Ruiming RTL8153B-VB-CG and Gigabit Ethernet chip (the base has a network cable interface).
Microcontroller chip model: STMicroelectronics JSTM32G0OB0OCET6.
Video game console protective case model: HGU1100 (size: 206 x 115 x 14mm, made of plastic).
Speakers: MUSE BOX-L and MUSE BOX-R (two-channel stereo).
Estimated Launch: March 2025
Estimated Price: $400
Various rumors initially suggested that the Nintendo Switch 2 could make an appearance in late 2024, but they were soon replaced with leaks of a delay. For now, it is believed that the upcoming console will launch in March 2025, which is the end of this fiscal year, but still within it, as mentioned by the president of Nintendo. The reason for the delay, according to a Japanese media outlet, is that Nintendo wants to make sure it has sufficient stock for the Switch 2 before launch. Additionally, the company also wants to ensure that the launch lineup is stacked and as strong as it can be.
While the launch timeline is pretty far out, the announcement for the Switch 2 could come much sooner. The latest leak comes from the same user who correctly predicted the announcement date and price for thePS5 Probefore it was unveiled. The user mentions that the Switch 2 will be announced early next month and carry a base price of $400. He adds that there will be two SKUs, but the differences between the two are unclear at this point.
For reference, the original Nintendo Switch launched at $299 with 32GB of on-board storage. The Nintendo Switch OLED launched at $349. This makes the $400 price tag for the Switch 2 more believable and realistic.
FAQ
Q: Will Switch 2 be more powerful than PS4?
The upcoming Switch 2 is said to be as powerful as the PS4 and the Xbox One consoles.
Q: Will Switch 2 support 4K?
The Switch 2 is expected to support 4K with the help of upscaling through DLSS 2.
