Estimated reading time: 5 minutes
After months of design leaks and speculation, Nintendo has officially announced the Switch 2 console, set for release in 2025. Having closely followed the developments and analyzed the leaked designs against other handhelds in my collection, I want to share my perspective on what’s coming.
The Size Factor The first thing that struck me about the Switch 2 design is its 8.4-inch display. While the Legion Go’s 8.8-inch screen makes it a massive device, the Switch 2’s design manages to house its 8.4-inch display in a notably more compact frame. It’s 2.8 cm narrower and 0.93 cm thinner than the Legion Go, which makes a real difference when holding it according to leaks
Compared to my Switch OLED, the Switch 2 is bigger – 6 cm longer and 1.74 cm thicker. The increased thickness initially caught my attention, but after comparing it to other handhelds, it’s clear this brings the Switch 2 more in line with current gaming hardware standards. The Switch OLED was unusually thin for a gaming handheld, and this extra thickness in the Switch 2 suggests better cooling and potentially more powerful hardware.
Display and Controls The screen resolution bump to 1080p from 720p is immediately noticeable. While the leaked information points to an LCD panel rather than OLED, the increased pixel density (262 ppi versus 209 ppi) provides sharper image quality.
The new Joy-Cons look-feel more substantial in hand, being larger in every dimension. The triggers are noticeably bigger – a welcome change from the current Switch’s somewhat small ZL and ZR buttons. There’s also a new C button below the Home button on the right Joy-Con, which points to expanded functionality.
Practical Design Changes Some design changes directly address common issues with the current Switch. The USB-C port has moved to the top of the device, which means I can finally charge while using the kickstand. The new dock design features what appears to be active cooling, with visible vents that suggest more powerful docked performance.
Storage and Connectivity The support for microSD Express cards is particularly interesting. The jump from 100MB/s to potential speeds of 800MB/s means expandable storage won’t come with a performance penalty. This addresses a key limitation of the current Switch, where loading times from microSD cards could be noticeably slower.
Backwards Compatibility Nintendo has confirmed the Switch 2 will play both physical and digital Switch games, though some titles may not be fully compatible. The game card slot appears identical to the current Switch, supporting this claim.
Global Launch Events Nintendo’s announcement includes a series of hands-on events starting April 2025. They’re planning stops in major cities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Oceania. The events require a Nintendo Account for participation, with registration details coming soon.
Looking Forward Nintendo has scheduled a Direct presentation for April 2, 2025, where we’ll learn more about the specifications and launch details. From what we can see so far, the Switch 2 brings meaningful improvements while maintaining the core appeal of the original Switch concept. The larger screen sits in a surprisingly manageable body, and the design changes appear focused on practical improvements rather than just aesthetic updates.
As someone who uses various gaming handhelds regularly, I’m particularly interested in how the Switch 2’s form factor compares in daily use. While it’s larger than the current Switch, it seems to strike a balance between screen size and portability that could work well for both stationary and on-the-go gaming.
We’ll have to wait until the April 2nd Nintendo Direct for full specifications and pricing details, but the design shown in the leaks and now confirmed by Nintendo suggests a well-considered evolution of the Switch format. The upcoming hands-on events will provide a crucial opportunity to test these impressions in person.
