A bigger screen? Better resolution? Smoother gameplay? The Nintendo Switch 2 has everything we've been wishing for—and then some. Watch the trailer below for a quick overview.
Alright, done watching? Great. Now, let’s get into the nitty-gritty details of this all-new game system—and see how it stacks up against previous iterations.
For years, Switch users were stuck with 720p resolution and a 60Hz refresh rate in handheld mode—which, let’s be honest, felt outdated when even budget smartphones had sharper, faster screens. Can’t blame the players for sticking around just for the exclusives (though, let’s be real, some have already jumped ship to other platforms).
But all hope is not lost, and Nintendo basically said, "Wait! Don’t leave us just yet!"
Enter the Nintendo Switch 2 with a 1080p resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. Finally!
That means a more immersive gaming experience. A higher resolution brings crisper, more detailed visuals, and a higher refresh rate means smoother gameplay. Potentially, you could even hit 120 FPS! (That is… if the console can handle it and if the game is actually optimized for it. But hey, it’s progress.)
And that’s not all—the screen size itself is getting an upgrade, jumping from 6.2 inches (Switch LCD) / 7.0 inches (Switch OLED) to a whopping 7.9 inches.
But wait—it’s still LCD? Totally fair if you’re side-eyeing that choice. But don’t worry, your eyes will still love it because the Switch 2 supports HDR10, making colors pop and visuals look way more vibrant than a standard LCD panel.
As if the screen and refresh rate upgrades weren’t enough, here’s another mind-blowing change—the Switch 2 can output 4K at 60FPS when docked. About time!
The 1080p max output on the original Switch was seriously uncool if you were hoping to hook it up to a larger screen in your living room—or your entertainment room (if you’re bougie like that). Players either had to deal with pixelation by sitting far, far away from the TV or just ignoring it.
But not anymore! Now, you can play with family or friends without the embarrassment of a blurry setup. Couch co-op, party games, and big-screen adventures just got way more enjoyable.
Another noticeable upgrade? The controllers. Since the display is now larger, it only makes sense that the controllers got a size increase too.
What’s cool about Joy-Cons 2 is that instead of the usual sliding mechanism, they now connect magnetically. That’s right—no more awkwardly aligning the rails or struggling to slide them in place. Just snap them on, and they’re good to go.
The SL and SR buttons are made of metal, while the magnet is embedded in the console. Nintendo claims they won’t detach easily—so much so that you’ll need to press a button to release them.
But hey, we’ll see just how sturdy they really are once we get our hands on them.
Another big feature is that they can function like a mouse in select games. This will primarily be used for aiming, although gyro controls are still an option. Only when we get to experience it can we decide if it’s a game-changing feature or just another gimmick we forget about—only remembering it when a game forces us to use it.
The C button can be found on the Joy-Cons 2—a brand-new feature not present in the previous generation.
This dedicated button is primarily for Game Chat, which looks a lot like Discord video chat. Game Chat lets you communicate with friends in both handheld and docked modes using a built-in microphone on the gamepad. You can also share your screen, and best of all, it works even if you and your friends are playing different games.
The trailer also reveals that the Nintendo Switch 2 Camera will work alongside this feature. The camera puts you on screen, either overlaid on top of the gameplay or just by yourself.
A Nintendo Switch Online subscription is required to use Game Chat, but it will be free to try until March 31, 2026.
Hello, hello—mic test, mic test!
We briefly mentioned the built-in microphone, and yes—you read that right. The gamepad itself has a built-in mic!
One of the biggest selling points of the Nintendo Switch 2 is the ability to chat with friends while playing. This feature was completely absent in the original Switch and even in the OLED version of the previous generation.
So now, you might not need to plug a headset with a microphone into the 3.5mm jack anymore. Nintendo says the microphone comes with noise-cancelling technology to reduce background noise.
Moving on to the internals…
According to the spec sheet, the processor is a custom NVIDIA chip—but what exactly is it? Who knows. It has always been like that so let’s not get into that.
What we do want to highlight is the storage.
The original Switch had 32GB, and when the OLED version launched, it doubled to 64GB. Now? It’s been quadrupled to 256GB. More storage for games! Or… maybe not?
Here’s the thing—Switch 2 is “beefier” and aims to support bigger, more demanding games. Titles like Elden Ring and Final Fantasy VII Intergrade have already been announced, and as we all know, better graphics = larger storage requirements.
If you want to expand your storage, good news—there’s still a microSD slot.
Not-so-good news? It only supports microSD Express. Unlike previous models, which worked with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC, this means your current microSD cards might not be compatible with the new system.
Now that we’re talking about more games…One of the biggest questions on everyone’s mind: Will my old Switch games work on the Switch 2?
The original Nintendo Switch didn’t have backward compatibility with older Nintendo consoles, which was expected but still a tough pill to swallow for longtime fans. But this time, Nintendo is making things right—kind of.
With the Nintendo Switch 2, both previous Switch games and new Switch 2 titles will be compatible!
The catch? Not all games will be supported—only select titles.
So while this is a step in the right direction, it’s still not a full win for players hoping to carry over their entire Switch library. Hopefully, Nintendo releases a list of supported titles soon!
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with a larger battery—5,220mAh, compared to the 4,310mAh in previous models. That’s a noticeable jump, and you might expect longer playtime because of it.
But hold on—bigger screen + higher resolution = higher power consumption.
That’s why the Switch 2’s battery life is estimated at 2 to 6.5 hours only, while older models lasted around 4.5 to 9 hours.
Of course, battery life also depends on the game. More demanding titles will drain it faster than, say, a casual indie game.
So, bigger battery? Yes. Longer playtime? Not necessarily.
Meanwhile the charging time is relatively the same.
The Switch 2 comes with a few quality-of-life improvements that make a big difference in usability.
For starters, the Switch 2 now has two USB-C ports—one on the bottom (for docking, obviously) and one on the top. The top port can be used to connect the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 camera or charge your console while in tabletop mode—a feature that was nearly impossible on the original Switch (LCD/OLED). We all remember those various stands and accessories just to solve this issue, right? We know you have one.
Speaking of stands, the Switch 2 still has its own kickstand, but this time with a cutout in the middle. It’s almost the same as the OLED version but with a more flexible design, allowing you to prop the console closer to a lying position. Nintendo claims it’s quite sturdy, but let’s hope it’s not like the first version, which snapped easily and couldn’t support the gamepad.
As for the speakers, the Switch 2 still comes with stereo speakers, just like previous models. However, the new system adds 3D audio, making gaming more immersive even without the need for a headset.
The original Switch launched at $299, while the OLED version came in at $349.99.
Meanwhile, the Switch 2 is expected to be… are you ready for it? $449.99.
When converted, that’s approximately:
(Based on current exchange rates as of April 2025)
But these are just base prices. Keep in mind that local/international shipping, customs fees, and local taxes aren’t included yet—so let’s all manage our expectations. (Hopefully though, we manage to get that console as close to that price.)
So to summarize, here’s a little nifty table for you to see how much improvement the Nintendo Switch console has gotten:
| Nintendo Switch 2 | Nintendo Switch OLED | Nintendo Switch LCD | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Size | Approximately 4.5 inches tall x 10.7 inches wide x .55 inches thick (with Joy-Con™ 2 controllers attached). *The maximum thickness from the tip of the control sticks to the protruding parts of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.2 inches. |
4 inches high, 9.5 inches long, and 0.55 inches deep (with Joy-Con attached) *The depth from the tip of the analog sticks to the tip of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches |
Approximately 4 inches high, 9.4 inches long, and 0.55 inches deep (with Joy-Con attached) *The depth from the tip of the analog sticks to the tip of the ZL/ZR buttons is 1.12 inches |
| Weight | Approximately .88 lbs (Approximately 1.18 lbs with Joy-Con 2 controllers attached) |
Approximately .71 lbs (Approximately .93 lbs with Joy-Con controllers attached) |
Approximately .66 lbs (Approximately .88 lbs when Joy-Con controllers are attached) |
| Screen | Capacitive touch screen 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen 1920x1080 pixels HDR10 support VRR up to 120 Hz |
Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 7.0 inch OLED screen / 1280x720 | Multi-touch capacitive touch screen / 6.2-inch LCD Screen / 1280 x 720 |
| CPU/GPU | Custom processor made by NVIDIA. | NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor | NVIDIA Custom Tegra processor |
| Storage | 256 GB (UFS) *A portion of the storage is reserved for use by the system. |
64 GB Users can easily expand storage space using microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB (sold separately). |
32 GB of internal storage, a portion of which is reserved for use by the system. Users can easily expand storage space using microSDHC or microSDXC cards up to 2TB (sold separately). |
| Communication features | Wireless LAN (Wi-Fi 6) Bluetooth In TV mode, Nintendo Switch 2 can be connected using the wired LAN port on the dock. |
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac compliant) Bluetooth 4.1 |
Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac)(*) Bluetooth 4.1 (*In TV mode, Nintendo Switch systems can be connected with a wired LAN adapter - sold separately) |
| Video output | Output via HDMI connector in TV mode Maximum of 3840x2160 (4K) resolution at 60 fps (TV mode) Supports 120 fps when 1920x1080/2560x1440 resolutions are selected Supports HDR10 *Maximum 1920x1080 resolution in tabletop mode and handheld mode, following screen resolution. |
Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode Up to 720p via built-in screen in Tabletop mode and Handheld modes |
Up to 1080p via HDMI in TV mode Up to 720p via built-in screen in tabletop mode and handheld mode |
| Audio output | Supports linear PCM output 5.1ch Output via HDMI connector in TV mode *Surround sound effect can be applied when outputting to headphones or to the built-in speaker (surround sound effect when outputting to the built-in speaker requires a system update). |
Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output Output via HDMI connector in TV mode |
Compatible with 5.1ch Linear PCM output Output via HDMI connector in TV mode |
| Speakers | Stereo The independent enclosure structure provides natural, clear sound quality. |
Stereo | Stereo |
| Microphone | Built-in microphone (monaural) Noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control provide a more comfortable voice chat experience. |
none | none |
| Buttons | POWER Button/Volume buttons | Power button / Volume button | Power button / Volume button |
| USB-C® Ports | 2 USB-C® Ports The port on the bottom is used to charge the console and connect to the Nintendo Switch 2 dock. The port on the top is used to connect accessories and/or charge the console. |
1 x USB Type-C Used for charging or for connecting to the Nintendo Switch dock. |
1 x USB Type-C Used for charging or for connecting to the Nintendo Switch dock. |
| Audio jack | 3.5mm 4-contact stereo mini-plug (CTIA standard) Please note: Nintendo cannot guarantee functionality with all products. |
3.5mm 4-pole stereo (CTIA standard) | 3.5mm 4-pole stereo (CTIA standard) |
| Game card slot | Both Nintendo Switch 2 and Nintendo Switch game cards can be inserted. | Nintendo Switch game cards | Nintendo Switch game cards |
| microSD | Compatible with microSD Express cards only (up to 2 TB) *microSD memory cards that are not compatible with microSD Express can only be used to copy screenshots and videos from Nintendo Switch. |
Compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC memory cards *Once the microSDXC card is inserted, a system update will be necessary. An internet connection is required to perform this system update. |
Compatible with microSD, microSDHC, and microSDXC memory cards *Once the microSDXC card is inserted, a system update will be necessary. An internet connection is required to perform this system update. |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, gyroscope, and mouse sensor located in Joy-Con 2 controllers Brightness sensor located in console |
Accelerometer, gyroscope, and brightness sensor | Accelerometer, gyroscope, and brightness sensor |
| Operating environment | 41-95 degrees F / 20-80% humidity | 41-95 degrees F / 20-80% humidity | 41-95 degrees F / 20-80% humidity |
| Internal battery | Lithium-ion battery/5220mAh | Lithium-ion battery / 4310mAh | Lithium-ion battery / 4310mAh |
| Battery life | Approx. 2 – 6.5 hours *These are rough estimates. The battery life will depend on the games you play. |
Approximately 4.5 - 9 hours The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. |
Approximately 4.5 - 9 hours The battery life will depend on the games you play. For instance, the battery will last approximately 5.5 hours for The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. |
| Charging time | Approximately 3 hours *While the system is in Sleep mode. |
Approximately 3 hours *When charging while the hardware is in sleep mode |
Approximately 3 hours *When charging while the hardware is in sleep mode |
| Launch Price | 449.99 usd | 349.99 usd | 299.99 usd |
The announced release date of the Nintendo Switch 2 is June 5, 2025, but it will be released sometime between July and September 2025 in Singapore, Thailand, Malaysia, and the Philippines as Nintendo is working to launch online services, including Nintendo Switch Online and the Nintendo eShop, in these four countries.
We'll surely post if and when the Nintendo Switch 2 is available for pre-order in Game One PH branches here in the Philippines!
The Nintendo Switch 2 is shaping up to be the upgrade we've all been waiting for. With a larger 1080p display, smoother 120Hz refresh rate, more powerful internals, and quality-of-life improvements like magnetic Joy-Cons, a built-in microphone, and enhanced storage, it feels like Nintendo is finally catching up with modern gaming expectations.
Of course, some choices are still a little questionable—like sticking with an LCD screen, the limited microSD compatibility, and the slightly shorter battery life due to the new hardware. And let’s not forget that price jump! But with 4K output when docked, support for bigger games, and a fresh focus on communication features, this could be the most exciting iteration of the Switch yet.
The big question is—is the Nintendo Switch 2 worth it? Will it live up to the hype, or will it just be a nice-to-have instead of a must-buy? What do you think?
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