Nintendo has officially announced “successor to the Nintendo Switch” in the Nintendo Switch 2. After months of leaks and rumors, we finally have all the details about Nintendo's newest console.
Launching in June 5, 2025 at $449 / AU$699, the new console brings a number of new features and upgrades to the Switch system that should make for a different gaming experience compared to the original Switch.
Some of the biggest changes can be spotted just by watching the Switch 2 reveal trailer, but a few changes aren’t immediately obvious and require looking a little deeper.
So if you’re wondering how the Nintendo Switch 2 stacks up against the original Nintendo Switch, here’s everything new, and exactly why this new Switch console looks like a full generational leap...
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Design
The most immediately striking difference between the Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 is that the latter is larger.
The main unit on the Switch 2 is significantly larger than the original, leading to everything else including new Joy-Con controllers and a beefed up dock growing as well.
The new Switch is 4.5-inches tall by 10.7 inches wide and .55 inches thick while weighing .88 lbs, 1.18 lbs with the Joy-Con 2 controllers attached.
In comparison, the original is 4 x 94. x .55 inches, and weighs approximately the same.
The biggest size difference you'll notice is the display which comes in at 7.9-inches on the Switch 2, while the Switch features a 6.2-inch screen. For comparison, the Switch OLED has a 7-inch display.
Speaking of OLED, there were rumors that the Switch 2 would feature an OLED display, but Nintendo is sticking with an LCD screen for the Switch 2, similar to the Switch which features an LCD display.
Another noticeable improvement is the redesigned kickstand, which covers the entire back of the console and can be adjusted to multiple angles. It appears to be a significant upgrade from the flimsy stand found on the base Switch, though it's roughly in line with the one found on the Nintendo Switch OLED.
There is one new button dubbed the C button or Chat button that enables voice chat. With that, Nintendo add a built-in noise-cancelling microphone to the Switch 2.
Nintendo also promised major improvements to the buillt-in speakers of the Switch 2, including 3DAudio to make gameplay more immersive without needing high-end headphones.
One big difference between the consoles is presence of an additional USB-C port on the top of the Switch 2 which can be used for charging or plugging in accessories like the Nintendo Switch 2 camera. The original Switch only has one USB-C port on the bottom of the main unit.
Both consoles support Nintendo's game cartridges, and the Switch 2 is compatible with Switch games.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Display
We briefly touched on the bigger LCD screen, but the display on the Switch 2 has more upgrades.
In handheld mode, the new console will support 1080p resolution, a big leap over the 720p resolution of the Nintendo Switch. It also comes with a boosted 120Hz refresh rate which allows for smoother motion than the Switch's 60Hz. It should make fighting games and shooters much easier to play.
In docked mode, the Switch 2 will support up to 4K resolution. Opting for the higher resolution will lower the refresh rate to 60Hz, but the option is there for those who want prettier graphics over speed.
Lastly, Nintendo added HDR support to the Switch 2 enabling more lifelike colors, lighting and graphical experiences. HDR is available in both handheld and docked modes.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Specs
If there’s one area of the Nintendo Switch 2 where we’re currently a little in the dark, it’s the console’s internal specifications. It’s safe to say it will be more powerful than its predecessor, which runs on a dated Nivida Tegra XI CPU, but to what exact degree we don’t yet know.
Currently, the official Nintendo website only shows that the Switch features a "custom processor made by NVIDIA." The same language used for the Switch. Presumably, the Switch 2 NVIDIA processor is more powerful than the one on the Switch.
Will Switch 2 take on the likes of the Steam Deck OLED and ASUS ROG Ally X head-to-head, competing to be the most powerful handheld system on the market, or perhaps it’ll offer less horsepower but at a lower cost? After all, Nintendo had the weakest system when it launched the original Switch against the PS4 and Xbox One and it still managed to outsell them both.
One big upgrade the Switch 2 comes with is massively increased storage capacity. The Switch 2 features 256GB storage compared to 32GB on the original.
On both consoles, storage is expandable. Though the Switch 2 will only work with microSD Express cards. The microSD cards you can use on the original Switch do not work on the Switch 2.
For connectivity, the Switch 2 features Wi-Fi 6 and Bluetooth. The original has Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac) and Bluetooth 4.1. Both consoles can access wired LAN via docked mode.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Battery Life
The original Switch launched with a battery life rating of 2.5 to 6.5 hours, based on Nintendo's estimates. We found that to be fairly accurate. An updated model was later released that bumped those estimates up to 4.5 to 9 hours.
The Switch 2 features a larger 5220mAh battery, compared to 4310mAH in the updated Switch. However, likely due to more powerful components and features, the Switch 2 is rated to last between 2 and 6.5 hours. Which does make us curious if the Switch 2 will also see a battery updated model down the line.
As for charging, both consoles are expected to take about 3 hours to fully charge.
Similarly, both the Joy-Cons and Joy-Cons 2 have an estimated rating of approximately 20 hours and a 3 hour and 30 minute charge time.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Joy-Cons
One of the biggest differences when discussing the Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch is the Joy-Con controllers. On the surface, there might appear to be little difference, but the Switch 2 is packing some big upgrades in this key department. For starters, the Switch 2 Joy-Cons are bigger in size, which is great for players with meaty paws.
It's not just the controller's themselves that are larger, the SL and SR buttons are bigger as well, making it easier to use especially when sharing the Joy-Con 2s with a friend or playing a single Joy-Con game.
Switch 2’s Joy-Cons will connect to the main console unit via a new snapping (believed to be magnetic) system, rather than the flimsy railing connectors found on the current Switch’s Joy-Cons. The Switch 2 reveal video suggests the controller will snap onto the console in a way that looks highly satisfying.
We mentioned the new C button above which grants quick access to the Switch 2's GameChat functionality. GameChat enables voice chat, video chat, and even online split screen.
Lastly, the Joy-Con 2 controllers have an optical sensor which enables a mouse mode. Both the right and left Joy-Con 2s have the sensor enabling "dual mouse controls." So far that has only been highlighted with a new DragxDrive game featuring three-on-three wheel chair basketball. Though, Nintendo did tease first person shooters being controlled with the mouse mdoe during the Switch 2 reveal.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Dock
Nintendo Switch 2 includes a redesigned dock. The sharp-angled dock of the first-generation Switch is out and has been replaced with a softer, rounded, dock instead. Obviously, its function will be the same, and it will allow you to connect your Switch 2 to your television in just a single motion.
Like the original dock, the new one features an ethernet port and HDMI connectivity.
As the redesigned dock supports 4K resolution, it now features a fan to keep the Switch 2 cool.
As with everything else Switch 2, the Switch 2 dock is bigger than the Switch dock at 4.5-inches tall x 7.9-inches wide and 2-inches thick. The original dock is 4.1-inches high x 6.9-inches wide and 2-inches deep.
Both consoles have the same number of ports; 2 USB ports on the side, AC adaptor, system connector, an HDMI port and a LAN port.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Nintendo Switch: Bottom line
Nintendo Switch 2 is most definitely an evolution of the Nintendo Switch. While Nintendo is often known for “Bringing the weird” and radically redesigning its flagship console between generations, this time, it’s opted for an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” approach and I couldn’t be happier.
The original Nintendo Switch remains a fantastic (if very underpowered) console even in 2025, and the Nintendo Switch 2 looks set to make some smart tweaks to the design, improve the Joy-Con controllers, and will undoubtedly be significantly more powerful than its predecessor. With a bevy of exciting games including the new Mario Kart World on the way, all signs are looking positive for Switch 2.
Will the Nintendo Switch 2 be able to replicate the juggernaut size of its forefather? That’ll be a tall order (don’t forget the Switch is among the best-selling consoles in history), but based on the initial Nintendo Switch 2 reveal, this successor looks a pretty sure bet to be a gigantic success.
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