Recent images purporting to be of the successor to the Nintendo Switch have surfaced online, revealing a design that, at first glance, doesn't look much different from the original console. The images, initially shared on a Chinese social network and then on the RedditIn the latest version of this article, they show a device with a larger 8-inch screen, Joy-Cons with magnetic connection and USB-C ports on both the top and bottom.
Although the images have not been verified, a source who has not seen the final model of the "Switch 2", but has been informed about Nintendo's plans, reported to VGC that the images match the design expected by the company for the new console.
According to the information revealed, the Switch 2 will include 12GB of RAM (compared to the 4GB of the original Switch), support for HDMI 2.1 and 256GB of internal storage (a significant improvement on the 32GB of the current model), which coincides with an earlier alleged leak of shipping information.
Although the design of the controllers is similar to that of the current Switch, there are some notable changes, such as the revised SL/SR buttons and front LEDs to indicate the active player. These details are in line with previous rumors about the design of the Switch 2, which also mentioned the 8-inch screen and a new magnetic attachment system for the controllers, suggested by a Nintendo patent.
Two sources consulted by VGC last year suggested that the console might be launched with an LCD screen, rather than the more advanced OLED, as a way of reducing costs, mainly due to the need for more storage for games with higher graphic fidelity.
Another important detail is that Chinese peripheral manufacturer Mobapad has stated that the Switch 2 will support 1080p resolution in portable mode and 4K with the new dock. However, Nintendo still hasn't officially commented on backwards compatibility or other specific features of the future hardware, although it plans to announce its next console before the end of the current fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2025.
Last month, it was reported that developers had been told not to expect the new console to be released before April 2025. O VGC also reported that Nintendo had internally postponed the launch of its next-generation console to early 2025, possibly to ensure a more robust software catalog at launch and avoid problems with hardware supply.
However, David Gibson, senior research analyst at MST Financial, suggested that the Hosiden manufacturer's recent investments in production equipment and automation may indicate that the launch of the new console could come sooner than expected. "I expect a September announcement and March 2025 launch for the next device," Gibson wrote.
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