Display and Performance Upgrades Define the Switch 2

Nintendo’s Switch 2 makes its first big impression with a 7.9-inch 1080p handheld LCD capable of up to 120 Hz, a sharp upgrade over the original’s 720p panel.

Games look crisper and smoother in portable mode, and the screen’s extra brightness makes it easier to see outdoors. When dropped into the new dock, the system can push up to 4K at 60 fps, giving compatible titles a far more polished look on a big screen. Driving these improvements is a custom Nvidia Tegra T239 chip that delivers a major leap in CPU and GPU power, cutting load times, boosting frame rates and enabling more ambitious games than the first Switch could handle.

Backward Compatibility Softens the Jump

Nintendo has doubled the base storage to 256 GB, which is a huge quality-of-life improvement for anyone who buys games digitally. Combined with faster microSD expansion support, it cuts down on juggling installs and makes switching between titles less of a hassle. The new Joy-Con 2 controllers also feel like a real redesign rather than a minor refresh. They attach magnetically instead of sliding onto rails, offer larger buttons and a new “C” button, and even support mouse-style control in certain games… all aimed at making handheld play more comfortable and versatile.

Just as important for existing owners, Nintendo has kept backward compatibility with most original Switch titles, both physical and digital. That means your current library carries over, easing the transition and giving the new hardware a strong lineup from day one.

A Sharper, Smarter Switch for 2025

Nintendo has finally built system-level voice chat directly into the console. A built-in microphone with noise cancellation and the new “GameChat” service let players coordinate without a phone app, and audio quality is noticeably cleaner through Bluetooth LE Audio or the updated dock’s output. Under the hood, the Switch 2 carries a larger battery and efficiency gains from the new chip, so handheld play lasts longer and charges faster. The redesigned dock isn’t just prettier; it has better ventilation, high-speed USB ports, and sturdier housing to keep the console cool and stable when outputting at 4K.

The Nintendo Switch 2 refines the hybrid console idea into something that feels truly next-gen. The sharper screen, faster internals, redesigned Joy-Cons, longer battery life, and built-in voice chat make it a more capable and convenient system for both handheld and docked play. Backward compatibility ensures that the transition from the original Switch is as seamless as possible.