Nintendo Switch 2: 4K, 120fps, Enhanced Battery, More

Nintendo's latest Direct event unveiled an array of exciting details about the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, offering fans a deeper look into what to expect from the next generation of gaming. Let's dive into the specifics of what the Switch 2 brings to the table.

One of the most significant upgrades is the display. The Switch 2 boasts a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080). This marks a notable enhancement over the original Switch's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen. While we'll miss the OLED's vibrant colors, the larger screen size promises a more immersive experience.

Additionally, the new console supports HDR10 and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz, allowing for smoother gameplay with the potential for games to reach 120fps, depending on the game and the setup.

When docked, the Switch 2 can output games at 4K (3840x2160) resolution at 60fps or 1080p/1440p (1920x1080/2560x1440) at 120fps. This impressive graphical capability is powered by a "custom processor made by NVIDIA," though further details on the CPU/GPU remain undisclosed.

Battery life is another crucial aspect, with the Switch 2 equipped with a 5220mAh Lithium-ion battery. Nintendo estimates a battery life of approximately 2 to 6.5 hours, with a charge time of three hours in Sleep mode. These estimates are game-dependent, and while this range aligns with the original Switch, it's a slight downgrade from the newer Switch models that offered 4.5 to 9 hours.

In terms of size and weight, the Switch 2 measures approximately 4.5 inches tall, 10.7 inches wide, and 0.55 inches thick with the Joy-Con 2 attached. Without the Joy-Con, it weighs about 0.88 pounds, and with them, it's around 1.18 pounds. This matches the weight of the current Switch model but is taller and longer than any existing model with Joy-Con attached.

Speaking of Joy-Con, there's no confirmation yet on whether they'll incorporate Hall Effect joysticks to prevent the drifting issues seen in previous models. However, hints in a 2023 patent suggest that this might be a possibility.

On the audio side, the Switch 2 supports linear PCM output with 5.1ch surround sound. This feature can be enabled via headphones or the built-in speaker after a system update, enhancing the gaming experience.

Storage has seen a significant upgrade, with the Switch 2 featuring 256 GB of internal storage, a leap from the 32 GB in the original Switch and Switch Lite, and the 64 GB in the Switch OLED model. For expandable storage, the Switch 2 requires microSD Express cards, which can add up to 2TB of space, incompatible with the microSDXC cards used in current models.

The Switch 2 also supports Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6), comes with two USB-C ports, a 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard), and a built-in monaural microphone with noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control.

For more insights, be sure to check out our comprehensive recap of the Nintendo Switch 2 Direct, pricing details, a list of launch games, and pre-order information.