info540.br@gmail.comMajor Upgrades Transform Nintendo’s Flagship Console
The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a substantial leap forward from its predecessor, offering enhanced hardware, a larger display, and several exciting new features. Let’s explore how Nintendo’s latest innovation compares to the original model that captured the hearts of gamers worldwide.
Meet the New Nintendo Switch 2
Officially unveiled on Wednesday, Nintendo’s next-generation portable console aims to build upon the tremendous success of the original Switch. While maintaining the hybrid console concept we’ve come to love, the Switch 2 delivers significant improvements across all aspects—from processing power to display quality and controller design.
Throughout its lifecycle, the original Switch family expanded to include the OLED and Lite versions. For clarity, our comparison will focus primarily on the base models, though you’ll find comprehensive specifications for all versions at the end of this article.
Bigger and Better Design
The Nintendo Switch 2 measures approximately 11.4 cm tall, 27.2 cm wide, and 1.4 cm thick with Joy-Cons attached. At maximum thickness (including analog sticks and shoulder buttons), it reaches about 3.0 cm. While notably larger than its predecessor, Nintendo maintains the same 1.4 cm thickness profile as the original.
Visually, the Switch 2 sports sleek black Joy-Cons with colorful accents. These controllers remain asymmetrical and detachable but now connect through an improved magnetic mechanism rather than the sliding rails of the original.
Stunning Visual Experience
The display receives one of the most impressive upgrades. The Switch 2 features a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen with Full HD resolution (1920×1080), a 120Hz refresh rate, and HDR10 support. These specifications represent a significant advancement over the original’s 6.2-inch 720p display with its 60Hz refresh rate.
Audio capabilities have also been enhanced with improved stereo speakers and a noise-canceling microphone designed for the console’s new communication features. The hardware includes dual USB-C ports, a headphone jack, and a sturdier kickstand for tabletop mode gaming.
Reimagined Joy-Con Controllers
The Switch 2’s Joy-Cons offer several notable improvements:
- Magnetic rather than rail-based connection
- Larger SL/SR buttons and analog sticks for improved comfort
- Mouse functionality for pointer-based navigation
- New “C Button” for quick access to sharing features and GameChat
The larger controllers provide better ergonomics for extended gaming sessions, while the mouse functionality opens new interaction possibilities for both the system interface and compatible games.
Powerful Performance
While specific technical details remain limited, Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 uses a custom Nvidia chip. Performance upgrades enable gameplay at up to 120 frames per second in handheld mode and 4K resolution when docked.
The console’s enhanced capabilities are evident in its software lineup, which includes demanding titles previously impossible on the original hardware, such as Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring—games known for their significant processing requirements.
Storage That Meets Modern Demands
Storage capacity sees a dramatic increase with 256GB of internal memory—eight times more than the base Switch model and four times the OLED variant. This expanded storage accommodates game downloads and save files more comfortably.
The expansion method has also evolved: the Switch 2 only supports microSD Express cards (up to 2TB), offering faster read/write speeds than standard microSD cards. According to Nintendo, non-compatible memory cards can only be used for transferring screenshots and video captures.
Longer-Lasting Power
Battery life receives a welcome boost with a 5220mAh capacity battery, providing approximately 6.5 hours of gameplay on a single charge. This represents a significant improvement over the original Switch’s 4310mAh battery. A full recharge takes approximately three hours.
Enhanced Dock Capabilities
The redesigned dock for the Switch 2 brings several important upgrades:
- Support for 4K resolution output with HDR (for compatible games)
- More rounded, modern design
- Built-in cooling fan to maintain optimal temperature during demanding gameplay
- Expanded connectivity with two USB 2.0 ports, HDMI, and wired LAN
The additional cooling system allows for sustained performance when pushing the system to higher resolutions in TV mode.
Revolutionary Software Features
The Switch 2 introduces exciting new software capabilities:
GameChat: A native communication platform similar to Discord, allowing voice chat through the built-in microphone, screen sharing of gameplay, and video chat using the separately sold Switch 2 camera.
GameShare: An enhanced local multiplayer system that allows up to four players to enjoy compatible games across multiple Switch 2 consoles simultaneously, expanding beyond the single-screen limitations of traditional local play.
The console also supports three-dimensional audio through headphones for more immersive gaming experiences.
Backward Compatibility
You won’t need to leave your game library behind! The Nintendo Switch 2 supports three types of game cartridges: Switch 2, Switch 2 Edition, and original Switch games. The new Switch 2 cartridges are physically larger and offer faster data transfer speeds, but your existing collection remains compatible with the new hardware.
However, microSD cards from the original Switch won’t operate at the optimal speeds required by the Switch 2’s advanced architecture.
Technical Specifications Comparison
| Feature | Switch OLED | Switch Lite | Switch 1 | Switch 2 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Dimensions | 10 × 25 × 1.4 cm | 9.1 × 20.8 × 1.4 cm | 10.2 × 23.9 × 1.4 cm | 11.4 × 27.2 × 1.4 cm |
| Weight | 322g (422g w/ Joy-Cons) | 277g | 299g (399g w/ Joy-Cons) | 400g (535g w/ Joy-Cons) |
| Display | 7″ OLED – 720p – 60Hz | 5.5″ LCD – 720p – 60Hz | 6.2″ LCD – 720p – 60Hz | 8″ LCD – 1080p – 120Hz |
| Processor | Custom NVIDIA Tegra | Custom NVIDIA Tegra | Custom NVIDIA Tegra | Custom NVIDIA processor |
| Storage | 64GB (expandable) | 32GB (expandable) | 32GB (expandable) | 256GB (expandable) |
| Wireless | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.1 | Wi-Fi 6, Bluetooth, LAN |
| Video Output | Up to 1080p docked | Handheld only | Up to 1080p docked | Up to 4K docked |
| Battery | 4310mAh (4.5-9 hrs) | 3570mAh (3-7 hrs) | 4310mAh (4.5-9 hrs) | 5220mAh (up to 6.5 hrs) |
| Audio Output | 5.1 PCM Linear via HDMI | Stereo | 5.1 PCM Linear via HDMI | 5.1 PCM Linear via HDMI |
| Speakers | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo | Stereo |
| USB Connectivity | USB-C (charging/dock) | USB-C (charging) | USB-C (charging/dock) | 2× USB-C (charging/dock/camera) |
| Headphone Jack | 3.5mm (CTIA) | 3.5mm (CTIA) | 3.5mm (CTIA) | 3.5mm (CTIA) |
| Game Card Support | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch | Nintendo Switch | Switch, Switch 2, Switch 2 Edition |
| Memory Expansion | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD/SDHC/SDXC | microSD Express |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Brightness | Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope | Accelerometer, Gyroscope, Motion, Brightness |
| Operating Environment | 5-35°C, 20-80% humidity | 5-35°C, 20-80% humidity | 5-35°C, 20-80% humidity | 5-35°C, 20-80% humidity |
Availability and Pricing
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches on June 5, 2025, with two available packages. The standard model will retail for $450, while a bundle including Mario Kart World will cost $500.
While Brazilian pricing hasn’t been officially announced, estimates suggest around R$4,000 for the new console. For comparison, the original Switch currently sells for approximately R$2,000 in Brazil, with the Lite model priced around R$1,400.
Ready to Make the Switch?
With its impressive hardware upgrades, innovative features, and backward compatibility with your existing game library, the Nintendo Switch 2 represents a substantial evolution of Nintendo’s hybrid console concept. Whether you’re a longtime Switch enthusiast or newcomer to Nintendo’s ecosystem, the Switch 2 offers compelling reasons to be excited about the future of portable gaming.
Have you decided if you’ll be upgrading to the Nintendo Switch 2? What feature are you most excited about? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
