Nintendo Switch 2 has a larger 7.9-inch screen, improved Joy-Cons and more
This new design will likely solve many pain points on the first-gen Switch.
Nintendo just did a full reveal of its upcoming Switch 2 console, and while details are scarce in print, the video and images say plenty — so much that I figured out the screen size on this enlarged device: 7.9 inches! That’s a notable jump from the original Switch’s 6.2 inches and the OLED Switch’s 7 inches.
This was merely a bit of detective work on an image showing a Switch 2 next to the original Switch — they appear to be at scale, based on the hands. Placing the two graphics over one another reveals that the Switch 2’s screen is just as large as the original Switch’s body, hence the 7.9-inch measurement.
Another notable change lies in the Joy-Cons. The old signature slide-mounting method — complete with the iconic “click” sound used in the video ads — is now replaced by what appears to be a more convenient magnetic design, in order to align a centered socket with a plug on the main body. Also, the old “click” sound is now a louder “snap,” which makes me wonder how strong the magnetic force is. After all, I haven’t spotted a physical locking mechanism yet.
I’ve never been too fond of the original Joy-Con strap attachments, but I need their shoulder caps to effectively tap the controller’s tiny side shoulder buttons. That’s no longer the case with the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons, as the native side shoulder buttons have been enlarged, and that the new strap attachments leave an open gap to let you touch those buttons directly.
I almost missed this one. The new Joy-Cons carry an extra trigger — roughly at where the unlock button used to be — for the middle finger. You can also see that the main shoulder buttons and triggers are extended further down both sides.
Update: My buddy Ravi pointed out that this third trigger is actually the release mechanism, as shown in a background video on the teaser page.
Much like the OLED Switch, the hinge on the Switch 2 also goes quite low, but it’s more lightweight. Hopefully it’s still sturdy.
And of course, many people have already spotted the extra USB-C port at the top — between the headphone jack and the exhaust. This will be handy for accessories like those Steam Deck cooling docks, but I highly doubt that was Nintendo’s intention.
No specs were shared today, other than the screen size which I figured out myself. The rest — namely the screen resolution, graphics power and battery life — will likely have to wait until the Nintendo Direct stream on April 2nd, if not later. Nintendo did, however, state that the Switch 2 plays both physical and digital games made for the first-gen Switch, though some titles may not be fully compatible, oddly enough. Stay tuned.