The Switch 2 sounds like it’s working at variable speeds (Picture: Nintendo)
There may be a significant difference between how a Nintendo Switch 2 game looks when docked and when in handheld mode, if the latest rumour is true.
Although most sources seem to be in agreement that Nintendo’s next console won’t be released until next year, there are still some that suggest otherwise; while nobody seems to know when it will be officially announced.
Almost nothing has leaked out regarding what games it might have but there have been plenty of technical details lately, mostly recently about its redesigned Joy-Con controllers and now the idea that Nintendo will be favouring battery life over raw power in handheld mode.
Although all devices have a default clock speed this can be increased or decreased in order to preserve battery life or increase the power (thereby creating more heat). The latest suggestion is that the Switch 2 will be overclocked more than expected when docked, but underclocked in handheld mode so that it has more battery life than the current model.
The battery life of the original Switch is around 2.5 to 6.5 hours, with later models improving enough to offer 4.5 to 9 hours. Apparently though, Nintendo wants to do better than this with the Switch 2.
According to regular hardware leaker Moore’s Law Is Dead, the Switch will be ‘clocked faster than we expect’ when docked but ‘undocked it’s going to be clocked crazy low’ – implying a significant difference in performance and appearance when in handheld mode.
The YouTuber was discussing the Switch 2 with The Phawx on the Broken Silicon podcast, with the latter suggesting that Nintendo also wants to keep the speed of the internal fan down, presumably so that it doesn’t make too much noise.
Game performance in handheld mode is already different from docked with current Switch models, but the difference is largely negated by the size of the screen.
The Switch 2 though is reported to have a larger screen, of up to 8 inches, so combined with the underclocking there may be a more significant difference between how games look in each mode.
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Moore’s Law Is Dead also suggested that the Switch 2, or whatever it ends up being called, would have Xbox Series S level ray-tracing features, which have long been rumoured for the console.
In terms of when it might be released or announced though, there was no new information. Although there is an outside chance Nintendo may at least hint at the new console during its traditional June Nintendo Direct. Assuming it has one this year…
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