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Jose García
WriterTech journalist. Head of new formats at Xataka and TikTok presenter. I specialize in consumer tech and video games.
Karen Alfaro
WriterCommunications professional with a decade of experience as a copywriter, proofreader, and editor. As a travel and science journalist, I've collaborated with several print and digital outlets around the world. I'm passionate about culture, music, food, history, and innovative technologies.
It took a while, but it’s finally here. Nintendo has announced its new console, the Nintendo Switch 2, which builds on the portability concept popularized by the original Nintendo Switch. The console is bigger and more powerful while retaining much of the previous model’s essence, which makes sense given the more than 150 million units sold by its predecessor. Let’s take a closer look.
Nintendo Switch 2 Specs
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nintendo switch 2 |
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SIZE AND WEIGHT |
272 x 116 x 13.9 mm Without Joy-Con: 401 gr With Joy-Con: 534 gr |
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DISPLAY |
7.9-inch LCD FullHD resolution (1,920 x 1,080 pixels) 120 Hz HDR |
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PROCESSOR |
Nvidia (not specified) |
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RAM |
Not specified |
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STORAGE |
256 GB UFS Expandable with microSD Express cards |
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connectivity |
WiFi 6 Bluetooth |
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VIDEO |
4K at 60 FPS with HDR FullHD/1,440p at 120 FPS with HDR |
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Audio |
Linear PCM 5.1 (TV) Stereo speakers Monaural microphone |
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buttons |
Power on Volume GameChat button |
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PORTS |
2 x USB Type-C 3.5 mm jack |
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Battery |
5,220 mAh Charging time: 3 hours |
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autonomy |
From 2 to 6.5 hours Depends on the game |
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PRICE |
$449.99 |
This Is What the Nintendo Switch 2 Looks Like
The first noticeable change is that the console no longer looks like a toy. Nintendo recognizes the competitive landscape of portable consoles and has designed the Switch 2 with a more refined finish.
It’s noticeably bigger, features two USB Type-C ports, and improves in nearly all aspects except thickness. Nintendo has maintained the original model’s 0.55-inch profile, which is impressive.
A bigger and better screen. The most striking upgrade is the display. Despite having an OLED model on the market, the Nintendo Switch 2 uses an LCD panel. However, it compensates with a larger 7.99-inch screen, a 120 Hz refresh rate, and HDR support in both portable and desktop modes. This marks a significant improvement over the first model.
New Joy-Con 2. Nintendo has redesigned the Joy-Con controllers with a splash of color. Thanks to powerful magnets, you can attach them magnetically to the console and detach them by pressing a button on the top. The SR and SL buttons are larger for a better user experience, and the joystick has also increased in size.
And the C button? This much-discussed button is on the right Joy-Con—the orange one—and launches Game Chat (requires Switch Online). This feature lets players communicate with friends during gameplay. The console has a built-in microphone on the top, which Nintendo claims can pick up voices from a distance while reducing background noise.
Players can also share their screens and talk to contacts even while playing different games. It functions as an integrated Discord-like chat. Additionally, users can connect a separately sold webcam, allowing friends to see them. An automatic framing system reportedly positions the user’s image as an avatar in certain games, making for a unique implementation.
Mouse mode. This rumored mode has been confirmed, though Nintendo has shared few details. The Joy-Con 2 can function as a mouse for select games. One demonstrated use case involves a wheelchair basketball game where players control characters by sliding the Joy-Con on a table.
The stand and the new dock. The rear stand is larger and now fully adjustable. This is where the console’s two USB Type-C ports become useful. The bottom port is for docking and charging, while the top is for connecting a webcam and charging the console in desktop mode.
As for the dock, it’s sturdier, larger, and slightly rounded. Notably, Nintendo has added a built-in fan to regulate temperature, hinting at a noticeable performance upgrade.
Under the hood. Nintendo hasn’t disclosed many technical details about the console’s hardware beyond confirming that it runs on an Nvidia processor. However, performance improvements are clear. The announcement of open-world games and titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Borderlands 4, and The Duskblood suggests a significant power boost. While Nintendo hasn’t provided specific hardware specifications, the difference is evident.
Nintendo also promises enhancements for games like The Legend of Zelda. However, these upgrades come at an additional cost. While the Switch 2 is backward compatible, players must purchase upgrade packs to take full advantage of the new hardware. Pricing details for these packs haven’t been disclosed.
The new cartridges. The cartridges are now red instead of black and maintain the same size and dimensions as those for the original Switch. However, they offer significantly faster data reading speeds.
Nintendo Switch 2 Price and Availability
The Nintendo Switch 2 is available as a standalone purchase or in a bundle with the new Mario Kart World. The console costs $449.99, while the pack costs $50 more. The price increase is substantial, considering the original Nintendo Switch launched at $300.
Images | Nintendo
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