Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch – 3 alleged upgrades that will make me buy it on day one

Rumors about the Nintendo Switch 2 have been circulating all year long, but in the last few weeks online speculation has gone into overdrive. At the moment we are receiving new (unverified) leaks and supposed insider comments about the currently unannounced console almost every day. It feels like we’re close to the official Switch 2 reveal, which could come as early as January.

If confirmation of the Nintendo Switch 2 is indeed imminent, we’ll soon know exactly what Nintendo has come up with, and it’s long overdue. I love the Nintendo Switch, but after eight years (and having recently gotten my hands on a Steam Deck) I’m ready for a new console. The current Switch is getting on in years and cannot keep up with either the PS5, the Xbox Series X or even the Xbox Series S.

As already mentioned, there are some a lot There are a lot of rumors about Switch 2 at the moment, so take a look at what the console will be could According to these unfounded rumors, these are the three rumored upgrades that excite me the most. And if these rumors prove true, I’ll be joining the throngs of Nintendo fans trying to get a Switch 2 pre-order (probably) sometime in early 2025.

An improved design

Render designs for Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: Deck Wizard on X)

My colleague Scott Younker recently expressed his disappointment There are rumors that Nintendo doesn’t want to change the design philosophy of the Nintendo Switch with the successor hardware. For me, however, it’s exactly what I wanted to hear.

I’ve written before about my concerns that Nintendo might do this “Wii U, all clear” with the Switch 2, making unnecessary changes to a very appealing core design, but based on various console models floating around online, it looks like Nintendo’s approach is more like a refresh than a revolution.

Numerous renders and mock-ups of the Switch 2 have surfaced online in recent weeks, including from accessory maker Dbrand, which revealed its not-so-subtle name “Killswitch 2” case This could be our first real taste of what the console will look like. And if these rumors are true, the Switch 2 looks a lot like the first-generation Nintendo Switch. At first glance, the only major innovation seems to be a new button on the right Joy-Con. Exactly what this button is used for is a mystery, but in some renders it is marked with a “C”.

One area of the console that could use more significant optimization is the Switch’s docking station. An online render (see image above) shows a slimmer dock that allows part of the Switch’s display to be visible even when the device is docked. This could potentially enable dual-screen capabilities that would allow the Switch 2 to display important information even when connected to a TV.

Expect a significant performance increase from Switch 2

An alleged model of the Nintendo Switch 2

(Image credit: SwitchUp)

It goes without saying that Nintendo’s next console will almost certainly be more powerful than the current Nintendo Switch. While an increase in performance is something of a given, I personally hope it’s a significant improvement. I recently picked up a Steam Deck, and after being able to play blockbuster titles like Elden Ring and Red Dead Redemption 2 on the go, I’m finding it hard to go back to the Switch, which can occasionally struggle to run less demanding titles adequately resolution and a reliable frame rate.

There’s little chance that the Nintendo Switch 2 can match the raw graphics power of the recently released PS5 Pro, but a rumor in May suggested it could Switch 2 will be three times more powerful than his predecessor. According to the source, Switch 2 will have 12GB of RAM, a significant increase over the 4GB on current Switch models. It runs on an NVIDIA Tegra 239 CPU and supports NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction. This additional performance would be a very welcome upgrade over the current Switch.

One area where the Switch 2 could be downgraded compared to the current Switch range is the display. VGC claims that the Switch 2 will not include an OLED screen like the Nintendo Switch OLED and will instead stick with an LCD as found on the regular Switch (and Nintendo Switch Lite). This would probably keep manufacturing costs down, but I would be disappointed as OLED is simply better.

Switch 2 could revamp the Joy-Con controllers

Joy Cons

(Image credit: Shutterstock)

One persistent rumor about the Switch 2 is the claim that Nintendo’s next console will make a major change to the Joy-Con controllers, particularly the way they connect to the console’s main unit. I’ve always felt that the connection points on the current Switch console are weak, and let’s not forget that at launch it was a big problem for users to accidentally attach the Joy-Con strap upside down. Nintendo had to create its own support page for this issue.

Various rumors suggest that Nintendo Switch 2 will use a magnetic system for its Joy-Con controllers (and a newer one). YouTube video We may even have had a first look at the system in operation. Similar to the current rail system, there will be a release button on the back of each Joy-Con. This definitely feels like an upgrade to me and I hope an electromagnetic connection feels more stable and secure when I pick up the Switch.

Another change rumored to be coming to the Joy-Cons will be a slight increase in size and a more rounded design. I don’t have particularly large hands, but even I found it a little uncomfortable to hold the current Switch controllers for long periods of time. If this rumor is true, it would be another small but potentially impactful change that would give the console a more premium feel.

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Nintendo Switch 2 vs. Nintendo Switch – 3 alleged upgrades that will make me buy it on day one

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