The Nintendo Switch 2 is an upcoming hybrid video game console developed by Nintendo, and is a direct successor to the Nintendo Switch, which released 8 years earlier.
Like its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch 2 is a hybrid console, which can be used as both a handheld console, or placed into a dock connected to a television or monitor to be played like a home console. The unit maintains a similar form factor as the Nintendo Switch, and consists of the main body that includes the screen and primary hardware, and two Joy-Con devices that can be attached to the main unit's sides in handheld mode, or can communicate wirelessly to the main unit when docked.[53] Along with the existing ports from the Nintendo Switch's design, which includes a USB-C port on the bottom which also serves as its power source and connector within a dock, a headphone jack, and a cartridge slot, the Nintendo Switch 2 includes a second USB-C port on the top of the unit,[54][55] as well as an internal microphone with noise cancellation.[39]
The Switch 2 utilizes a 7.9 in (20 cm) LCD touchscreen with 1080p resolution and HDR, which supports a variable refresh rate up to 120 Hz.[39] When docked, the console can output up to 1440p at 120 Hz or 4K resolution at 60 Hz with HDR.[56] Unlike the first-generation model, the dock also contains a built-in ethernet connector and a cooling fan.[57][55]
The Joy-Con controllers have an updated design. Besides being larger to match the larger console, they attach magnetically by snapping to the sides rather than using a rail system. They are removed using a small button on the Joy-Con that causes a cylinder in the Joy-Con to extend and push off from the main unit.[58] Nintendo stated that their analog sticks would be larger, smoother, and more durable;[58] reports indicated that they would utilize hall effect sensors, which would address the drift issues that the original models had due to dust collecting within the analog system.[59] The SL and SR buttons on the side of the controllers have been enlarged, and a new "C" button is present on the right Joy-Con to activate the new "GameChat" feature.[58] The controllers are also able to be used like a computer mouse in supported games by sliding them on their rails.[58] The infrared sensor from the first-generation Joy-Cons have been removed.[58]
The console's alleged system on a chip, the Nvidia Tegra T239 (codenamed "Drake"), was leaked in the 2022 Nvidia ransomware attack by Lapsus$. It features an octa-core ARM Cortex-A78C CPU, a 12 SM Ampere GPU, and a 128-bit LPDDR5 memory interface.[60] Internal Activision emails from FTC v. Microsoft indicated that in terms of power, the console would be similar to eighth generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One.[61] Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 supports Nvidia's Deep Learning Super Sampling (DLSS) technology and ray tracing.[62] Nvidia confirmed the console contains tensor and RT cores and will use variable fresh rate through Nvidia G-Sync in handheld mode.[63] It will also support Wi-Fi 6.[64][39]
The Switch 2 includes 256 GB of internal storage, an increase from the 32 GB of the first-generation Switch.[39] Storage can be expanded using microSD Express cards of up to 2 terabytes, allowing higher read and write speeds than the microSDHC and microSDXC cards used in the first-generation model. Switch 2 will only support loading games from microSD Express cards; while it still supports accessing microSDHC and microSDXC cards, they can only be used for viewing screenshots and videos.[39][65]
The console is primarily powered in Handheld mode by an internal, non-removable 5,220 mAh Lithium-ion rechargeable battery.[55] Nintendo estimates the battery life to be between approximately 2 and 6.5 hours,[66] though noting that these are rough estimates and the actual duration will depend on the specific software being used.[67] The battery can be charged via either USB-C port. The estimated recharge time is approximately 3 hours, when the system is in Sleep mode.[56] Both Joy-Con 2 controllers have a 500mAh battery that is estimated to last 20 hours. The controllers are recharged when connected to the console or a third-party charging dock or grip.[68]
Source: Wikipedia, "[en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nintendo_Switch_2 Nintendo Switch 2]", available under the CC-BY-SA License.