A few years after the release of the Nintendo Switch, the company introduced a new and improved model: the Nintendo Switch OLED.
The OLED screen offers a 7-inch 720p OLED display in handheld mode and 1080p resolution while docked. It also has 64 GB of internal storage and some improved audio functions, but nothing has really changed under the hood in terms of horsepower. Still, it was nice to see the Switch getting a model, even if it wasn’t the Switch Pro that’s often rumored.
Now, a year into the Switch 2’s life, we’re hearing rumors of an OLED-style update for Nintendo’s new console.
As first reported by ZDNet Korea, Nintendo is considering using OLED (Organic Light-Emitting Diode) technology in the Switch 2. “If the release of the Switch 2 OLED model is decided, it is possible that product development will begin at the end of this year,” said an industry insider.
The update that will release in early 2028 will feel in line with Nintendo’s cadence of updating their console models in a regular cycle. First released in 2017, Nintendo released the Nintendo Switch Lite in 2019, followed by an OLED model in 2021.
Cost Is Definitely a Concern With the Nintendo Switch 2 OLED
One thing on everyone’s mind about the new Switch 2 model is how much it will cost. After all, the current Switch 2 console is getting a price increase due to economic conditions.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see the Switch 2 OLED cost more, considering it uses a better screen. How much more than that is uncertain. One of ZDNet Korea’s sources explains that Samsung “will fight to provide Switch 2 OLED to Nintendo, the rate of increase in price of Switch 2 caused by the use of OLED [unknown].”
One of the first criticisms of the Switch 2 when it was launched last year was that the screen was still slow. Well, to be honest, I didn’t notice it that much. Above all else, I wanted the Switch 2 to be the most powerful Switch, and that’s what it has been for the past year-plus.
Still, some were hoping that the OLED screen would make a comeback, and the Switch 2 OLED rumors are definitely good news for people in that department. However, things have changed a lot in the last year or so, especially when it comes to hardware costs. Everyone, not just Nintendo, is raising the price of their consoles, and it seems like there’s no end to it. Is it really worth paying a premium for a premium model?
How Much Profit Can the Switch 2 OLED Actually Offer?
Another thing to consider is that the Switch 2 already outputs at 1080p resolution. There won’t be a jump in resolution this time around like there was with the original Switch OLED.
As we’ve seen a backlash to rising prices, including when Nintendo introduced $80 games last year with Mario Kart World, I’d imagine we’ll see the same with what may be, in many eyes, a minor upgrade to the new Switch model.
There was already a backlash last time that “Switch Pro” was “the same Switch but with a glossy screen.” That enhanced screen looked great, sure, but games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet still ran really poorly. However, we’ve seen how much of a difference the Switch 2’s improved power can make; both Breath of the Beast and Tears of the Empire look incredible, for example, as does Legends of Pokemon: Arceus. They might look better with an OLED screen, too, but then again, if people are upset about having to pay money for the Switch 2 versions of the game, you better believe they’ll be upset about paying the higher price for an OLED screen.
