You’re going to be happy, Nintendo fans. It is rumored that the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 will have a graphical punch in its docked mode, while it prioritizes battery life for handheld games.
We’ve broken down the latest rumors about potential specifications and features for an upcoming console.
Docked Mode Might Hit 4 Teraflops
According to tech YouTuber Moore’s Law is Dead, Nvidia reportedly pushed for the Switch 2 to achieve 4 teraflops of processing power when docked. This would be a significant leap from the original Switch’s estimated 311 gigaflops, potentially leading to sharper visuals and smoother gameplay in docked mode.
“Crazy Low” Clock Speeds in Handheld Mode
To optimize battery life, the Switch 2 might be clocked “crazy low” in handheld mode, possibly even below 800 MHz as suggested by YouTuber The Phawx. This trade-off prioritizes extended playtime on the go, a crucial factor for a portable console.
Benefits of Lower Clock Speeds
Beyond battery life, a low-power approach offers other advantages. The console would likely generate less heat, reducing the need for a noisy fan. This is particularly important for a console targeted towards children, who might not handle overheating well. Additionally, lower power consumption translates to less risk of overheating if the console is accidentally covered during play, something more likely to happen in handheld mode.
Ray Tracing: First-Party Focus Expected
The discussion around the Switch 2’s specs also touched upon ray tracing, a rendering technique that simulates realistic lighting effects. Moore’s Law is Dead and The Phawx speculate that ray tracing might be primarily used in first-party Nintendo titles.
With its expertise in optimization, Nintendo is able to squeeze the best visual effects out of the hardware while maintaining its performance. Third-party developers, on the other hand, might stick to traditional rasterization techniques and leverage Nvidia DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling) to achieve a balance of visual quality and performance.
Conservative Hardware Evolution
A Chinese manufacturer, Mobapad, has reportedly described the Switch 2 as a “conservative hardware evolution.” While details remain under wraps, this suggests that the focus might be on refinement rather than a complete overhaul compared to the original Switch.
Official Reveal on the Horizon: Nintendo Switch 2
With these rumors swirling, an official reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 shouldn’t be too far off. One thing is certain: fans of the Nintendo Switch will have a lot to look forward to when it comes out later in 2024 or early in 2025.
Additional Points to Consider
Backwards compatibility: There have been rumors suggesting the Switch 2 will be backwards compatible with existing Switch games. This would be a major selling point for existing Switch owners.
Joy-Con improvements: Rumors also hint at potential improvements to the Joy-Con controllers, including the use of magnets for a more secure connection to the console.
Price speculation: With potential upgrades, the price of the Switch 2 remains a topic of speculation. It’s possible Nintendo might maintain a similar price point as the original Switch, or it could increase depending on the final hardware specifications.
While these are all rumors for now, they paint a picture of a Nintendo Switch 2 that offers more power for docked play while prioritizing battery life and thermals for handheld mode. Stay tuned for further updates as we inch closer to the official reveal of the next generation Nintendo console.
