Nintendo is purportedly considering an OLED model for the Switch 2, with mass production potentially starting next year.
While a new model of the Nintendo Switch 2 was recently announced, its only difference is that you can replace the internal battery. It’s also limited to Europe and is being done purely to comply with new regulations.
As such, a true revision has yet to be confirmed, although both a Switch 2 Lite and Switch 2 OLED model are widely expected to be released at some point in the Switch 2’s lifecycle. In fact, Samsung is reportedly pushing Nintendo to priorise the latter.
The current memory shortages have likely forced Nintendo to re-evaluate its plans but, if a new rumour is to be believed, a Switch 2 OLED model could be out as early as late 2027.
South Korean business website ZDNet Korea cites three insider sources claiming that Nintendo is ‘considering releasing a Switch 2 OLED’ with an upgraded resolution.
The current Switch 2 has an LCD screen, albeit a larger one than the original Switch’s. There have also been theories that Nintendo is updating the LCD screen, although not necessarily for a brand new revision of the Switch 2.
Expert, exclusive gaming analysis
Sign up to the GameCentral newsletter for a unique take on the week in gaming, alongside the latest reviews and more. Delivered to your inbox every Saturday morning.
An OLED screen would necessitate a new model and allow for even higher resolutions. It would also address complaints some people have with the current Switch 2 screen and how it displays games in handheld mode, with a ghosting issue that makes the visuals blurry.
ZDNet’s sources add that development of the OLED model could start as early as the end of this year, which means mass production could then follow either in late 2027 or early 2028.
The Switch 1’s OLED model launched in 2021, four years after the original. It was otherwise unchanged from the original model, with the larger OLED screen being the only major difference.
Don’t miss Gaming news! Add us as a Preferred Source
As a loyal GameCentral reader, we want to make sure you never miss our articles when searching for gaming stories. We have all the latest video games news, reviews, previews, and interviews, with a vibrant community of highly engaged readers.
Click the button below and tick Metro.co.uk to ensure you see stories from us first in Google Search.
It’s unclear if a Switch 2 OLED model would be larger than the current Switch 2, but if the only difference is an improved screen, it would make more sense for Nintendo to prioritise this over a Switch 2 Lite.
The whole purpose of a Switch 2 Lite would be to make the console more compact as a smaller, handheld-only alternative. Given the ongoing memory shortages, Nintendo may struggle with compartmentalising the hardware, which in turn would make it difficult to reduce the price tag.
A Switch 2 OLED model would be sold at a higher price than the current Switch 2, but with the current model seeing a price hike this year, having a more expensive model could offset costs and allow Nintendo to avoid raising the price of the regular model a second time.
Nintendo did admit the increase in price ‘does not fully account for all cost increases,’ which suggests it’s making less profit on the console than it was at launch.
At the time, the company also promised ‘a robust software line-up’ to further encourage people to invest in the Switch 2. So far, this includes a full remake of The Legend Of Zelda: Ocarina Of Time for this year and Pokémon Winds and Waves in 2027.
Email gamecentral@metro.co.uk, leave a comment below, follow us on Twitter.
To submit Inbox letters and Reader’s Features more easily, without the need to send an email, just use our Submit Stuff page here.
For more stories like this, check our Gaming page.