Can Nintendo Switch 2 rival the performance of a home console? Possibilities explored

Many rumors of Nintendo Switch 2 have been floating online. The original handheld came to the market over seven years ago. While the OLED variant showed some hardware improvements, no significant upgrades have been made to the system. Nintendo has kept the Switch 2's launch and hardware details close to the chest, but rumors suggest the reveal could be as soon as this year.

Of course, we will see an improved console, but the rumored device seems geared toward a balance between portability and improved performance. It might not rival the raw performance of a home console like the latest PlayStation or Xbox. However, Nintendo needs to focus on multiple aspects to make the next offering appealing.

Note: The article is subjective and based on the writer's opinion. The information provided is based on speculation.

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Nintendo Switch 2: Everything we know so far

The Switch 2 expected specifications (Image via Nintendo || Refurbed)

We don’t have any official update regarding any of the upcoming handheld's specs. But the successor is expected to come up with a configuration that could be as follows:

Specifications	Nintendo Switch 2 (Expected)
Display	8-inch LCD, 1080p
CPU	Octa-core ARM Cortex A78C CPU
RAM	12GB LPDDR5
GPU	Custom Nvidia Ampere architecture
Storage	64GB eMMC
Battery	5-10 hours
Refresh rate	120Hz
Price	$400

Nintendo needs to work on every detail to make the Switch 2 compete with its competitors. Speculations suggest that the rumored handheld could feature Nvidia Tegra 239 SoC with 1536 CUDA cores, so we can expect its performance close to Gen8 systems like Xbox One, or PS4.

Moreover, the predicted hardware includes an octa-core ARM Cortex A78C CPU, an 8-inch screen, 12 GB LPDDR5 RAM, eMMC storage, and a custom Nvidia Ampere-based GPU. This architecture introduced dedicated RT Cores for ray tracing calculations. It could also feature Nvidia’s advanced DLSS technology, used for upscale image resolution with AI, suggesting a smoother and more engaging gaming experience.

We might also see an improved battery life and higher refresh rate. However, there might be a downgrade to LCD screen from OLED. To be more appealing, it should be a hybrid portable device like its predecessor.

Furthermore, Nintendo’s connections to the retail industry are among the strongest. So, it's safe to assume it won't go for a digital-only variant for the upcoming console. Rumors also suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 will probably have a cartridge slot and backward compatibility.

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Will the Nintendo Switch 2 be as powerful as the home consoles?

Upcoming Nintendo console will try to get head-to-head with home consoles (Image via Nintendo)

The Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to be a powerful device. Leaks suggest it will boast PS4-level raw power with some capabilities of the PS5. The handheld device is highly focused on providing a balance between portability and power. The Switch 2 will offer a significant upgrade from the original system but might fall short of the Xbox Series X.

The Xbox X series is a performance beast with a custom AMD Zen 2 CPU, RDNA 2.0 GPU, and 12 teraflops of graphical processing power. It also supports native 4K resolution for compatible games. With the latest technological advancements, we might see a handheld that is much more powerful, but this looks a long way off, personally.

Nevertheless, cloud gaming can be a way to achieve performance like home consoles. Nintendo has “Switch Online,” which can be optimized to run on the rumored handheld. The upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 might have improved hardware better suited for cloud gaming, but this is still speculation.

Furthermore, cloud gaming relies heavily on a stable internet connection to stream high-quality video and handle complex game logic on remote servers. So, the next-generation Switch console needs to have better connectivity capabilities.

In short, the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2 might shape up to be quite a capable device. It might also handle modern AAA games without any throttle, but it won't be as powerful as the current home consoles.

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