Unconfirmed reports from online listings indicate that Nintendo may introduce a redesigned LCD screen for the Switch 2 console, manufactured by Sharp, replacing the current panel from InnoLux. No official announcement has been made by Nintendo regarding this change, and no OLED upgrade has been planned.
Reported Changes
- Photographs and listings on a Chinese resale site show a redesigned 7.9-inch, 1080p LCD screen, reportedly manufactured by Sharp.
- According to Nintendo Everything, the new panel features a different circuit, connector, and cables compared to the current panel, suggesting a redesign rather than a minor revision.
- Nintendo Patents Watch on Bluesky stated that the exposed circuit, connector, and cables are significantly different from the current components.
Current Screen and Context
The current Switch 2 LCD panel is produced by InnoLux and uses low-temperature polycrystalline silicon (LTPS) glass from Sharp. The potential quality improvements from the reported new Sharp panel are unclear.
Some users have criticized the current LCD screen for poor response times, leading to blurry visuals in fast motion during handheld mode.
Nintendo selected LCD over OLED for the Switch 2, citing higher quality than the Switch 1 LCD and cost considerations. An OLED model is not expected for several years.
Timing and Announcements
- It is unknown when units with the new reported screen will be released, or if Nintendo will issue a public announcement regarding the change.
- Nintendo has not commented on whether these two variations will be combined or released as multiple new versions.
- Separately, Nintendo plans to launch a new Switch 2 model in Europe with a user-replaceable battery to comply with European directives.
Sales and Pricing
The Switch 2 ended its first 12 months as the second fastest-selling hardware in U.S. history, behind the Game Boy Advance. Globally, Nintendo stated it is the company's fastest-selling hardware ever.
Price increases for Switch 2 consoles will take effect September 1 in the U.S. and Europe, attributed to changes in market conditions.