The full release of the Nintendo Switch 2 focused primarily on all new games that could be played. Although hardware specifications were not the focus, Nintendo removed a detailed list of what was found within Switch 2 on its website and later provided more detailed technical specifications. It turns out that most of what I knew from the original announcement video and some leaks are true. This is a larger, better handheld console with a full slate of upgraded hardware.
Here’s what we know now about the Nintendo Switch 2.
According to Nintendo’s official system specifications, the original Nintendo Switch base model is approximately 4 inches, approximately 4 inches long, and 9.4 inches long (with Joy-Con). Switch 2 is 6.5 inches tall and 10.7 inches long, and is slightly larger (with Joy-Cons). The larger the size, the more the weight of Switch 2 is about 1.18 lbs. This is a little heavier than the original switch on the .88-lbs. For another reference, it’s a little less than the 1.5 pound weight of the Steam Deck LCD.
Image: Nintendo
Switch 2’s capacitive touchscreen is 7.9 inches, larger than both the original switch (6.2 inches) and the switch OLED (7 inches), but it returns to the LCD.
The new display also gains resolution bumps at 1080p (from 720p) and supports variable refresh rates (VRR) up to 120 Hz. Support for the HDR10 is also coming in, but Nintendo didn’t specify any detailed details about the screen brightness, so it may not be as impressive as something like the Steam Deck Oled. And technically it’s not a feature of the screen itself, but a thinner bezel should just do it feel big.
Image: Nintendo
The new Joy-Con on Switch 2 is a little different from the original Switch. They are magnetically attached to the side of the console and do not produce anything that satisfies them snap Just like they used to be. The original Joy-Con weighs about 1.7 ounces (left) and 1.8 ounces (right), while the new one weighs about 2.3 ounces (left) and 2.4 ounces (right). The Joy-Con on the Switch 2 has mouse sensors, which may be because it has mouse sensors that allow them to slide over and over to the sides, and a new C button for GameChat. Nintendo says the Joy-Con 2 controller does not have Hall Effect joystick technology, but “the control stick on the Joy-Con 2 controller has been redesigned and improved in areas such as durability,” the company says.
In addition to the mouse sensor, each Joy-Con 2 incorporates an accelerometer and gyroscope. The Joy-Con 2 controller has a wireless connection over Bluetooth 3.0, while the controller on the right has an NFC wireless connection.
Nintendo says the Joy-Con 2 controller has a battery life of about 20 hours and takes about 3.5 hours to fully charge.
The Switch 2 has 256 GB of flash storage, which is considerably higher than the original switch’s 32 GB of storage.
Even if it sounds a little bit small to you, you can expand your storage with an SD card. The original switch supported up to 2 TB of MicroSDHC and MicroSDXC (UHS-I) cards, while the Switch 2 supports up to 2 TB MicroSD Express cards, which provide much faster read speeds.
The Switch 2 comes with a “custom processor created by Nvidia,” says Nintendo. According to leaked details collected from the console’s motherboard, it is probably a custom Tegra T239 processor. This will make the system’s processing power equivalent to previous generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, according to analysts. However, the leak suggests that Switch 2 will employ upscaling technology that can use machine learning technology to enhance resolution visuals of up to 4K when docked.
Additionally, it is rumored that Switch 2 will have 12 GB of RAM.
Image: Nintendo
The Switch 2 features a port for a gaming cartridge, two USB-C ports and a 3.5mm headphone jack. The USB-C port at the bottom of the console is purely for charging and connecting to the dock. The slot for the expanded microSD storage appears to be hidden under the kickstand on Switch 2, just like the original switch.
Image: Nintendo/Twitch
Switch 2 incorporates a microphone that is primarily used for GameChat features like discord. There is noise cancellation, echo cancellation and automatic gain control so there is no need to fuss in the settings to pick up everyone in the room.
The Switch 2 battery lasts approximately 2-6.5 hours depending on the game you play. This is actually slightly less than the one startup switch model. This is significantly less than the updated model that runs in 2.6-6.5 hours and lasts 4.5-9 hours. Despise the larger and better screen of the Switch 2 and charge it a little more often. Thankfully, it can fill up in the same 3 hours as it was on the original console (while sleeping mode).
Nintendo also allows Switch 2 owners to set the system’s battery charge to slow down “about 90%” to maintain the system’s battery life.
Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 connections. This will allow you to download the game faster if you have a better internet connection. It also needs to be smooth to share games via GameChat on the screen. Alternatively, the Switch 2 dock includes a wired Ethernet port, unlike the original switch that requires a completely separate adapter.
Image: Nintendo
The Switch 2 dock is very similar to the original Switch dock, but is a little larger to fit the size of the new console. It is 4.5 inches tall, 7.9 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. On the back there are two USB ports, an HDMI port and an Ethernet port. Also, when you slide the system, it outputs video to the TV at 60 frames per second.
Switch 2 has some new accessibility options that were not available on the original Switch, such as text sizing and speeches to text. You can also turn on audio to text and text speech exclusively for GameChat. Also, just like the original switch, you can remap controller buttons, change display color, zoom to the screen, and swap audio from stereo to mono.
