Leaked images of what could be the Nintendo Switch 2 have surfaced online, getting everyone excited. But are the leaks legit? And what do they reveal about Nintendo’s plans? Let’s check out the details.
After several images of Nintendo Switch 2 factory prototypes and 3D models have leaked on a Chinese website, we now got more info about their reliability. Digital Foundry has analyzed the images in all their details and gave us a detailed analysis of its features and whether these images are real or not.
Nintendo Switch 2 leaked images
Although we can't show you the images directly, we highly recommend taking a look at the Chinese YouTuber, "小宁子 XNZ". She recently uploaded a video where she showcased a 3D printed model of the potential Switch 2 in comparison to the Nintendo Switch OLED and talks about all the differences in size and aesthetics.
Nintendo Switch 2 Leak: Specifications
Let's look at what these images revealed about the next Nintendo Console. As analyzed by Richard Leadbetter from Digital Foundry, the leaked images, combined with hints from the past, reveal the following specs about the Nintendo Switch 2.
This is just a speculation, and has not been confirmed by Nintendo.
- Display and Size:
- 8-inch LCD screen: A larger display compared to the current Switch OLED model.
- Larger form factor: The console size is notably bigger, as shown in comparisons between leaked CAD models and the OLED model.
- The larger size may be attributed to the need for better heat dissipation. Some speculate that the larger size might accommodate a 1080p screen or a more powerful processor.
- Joy-Con and Connections:
- New Joy-Cons use magnets to connect instead of sliding in.
- Two USB-C ports: One on top, one on the bottom, for charging and possibly connecting extra devices like a camera.
- Micro-SD card slot: More storage for games, along with 256GB of built-in storage.
- Cartridge Compatibility:
- Supports original Switch games: It should work with older Switch cartridges.
- Internal Hardware:
- 12GB RAM: Helps games run faster and smoother.
- Custom Nvidia chip (T239): This is a specially designed graphics chip with features from Nvidia's powerful RTX 30 and 40 series for faster performance.
- Potential Process Node: There’s ongoing debate about whether it uses an 8nm process or possibly 6nm. Some suggest the possibility of 4nm, but this seems less likely given Nintendo's historical approach to hardware.
- CUDA Cores: Rumored to include 1536 CUDA cores, significantly enhancing graphical power compared to the original Switch.
- Battery and Performance Concerns:
- A small battery bay may indicate a potential trade-off between battery life and performance. Concerns have been raised about the use of older 8nm technology for power efficiency, though the custom design may mitigate this.
Are the leaked images legit?
According to Digital Foundry's analysis, and other opinions in the industry, the reliability of this Nintendo Switch leak seems pretty solid, but there’s still some reason to be cautious. The info comes from well-known sources like shipping manifests and the Famiboard forums, where members have a good track record of tracking down hardware leaks. Key details, like the 8-inch screen and the Nvidia T239 chip, line up with earlier rumors, making it seem legit. While it seems trustworthy overall, remember this is based on an older prototype, so the final version might look a little different.
IGN recently uploaded a video on YouTube, where they showed some of the leaked images directly, and the video got taken down in just a few hours... So, that is a very strong indicator that there must be something legitimate about them, since Nintendo doesn't play around when it comes to their copyright to unreleased content.
We will only know for certain if the leaks are real as soon as Nintendo releases a statement directly. Until then, we will keep you up-to-date with everything!