Inside the Nintendo Switch 2 hardware specs

The full reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 was largely focused on all the new games you can play. The hardware specs weren’t the focus, but Nintendo dropped a detailed list of what’s inside the Switch 2 on its website. Most of what we knew from the original announcement video and some leaks turned out to be true: It’s a bigger, better handheld console with a full slate of upgraded hardware.

Here’s what we now know, specs-wise, about the Nintendo Switch 2.

System size

The original base model of the Nintendo Switch is approximately 4 inches high and 9.4 inches long (with Joy-Cons attached), according to Nintendo’s official system specs. Switch 2 is a little bigger at 6.5 inches high and 10.7 inches long (also with Joy-Cons attached). The larger size also makes the Switch 2 weigh about 1.18 lbs, which is a little heavier than the .88-lbs original Switch. For another reference: That’s a little less than the Steam Deck LCD’s 1.5-lbs weight.

Screen size

Switch 2’s new screen is 7.9 inches — bigger than both the original Switch (6.2 inches) and the Switch OLED (7 inches) — but it’s back to LCD. The new display also got a bump in resolution to 1080p (from 720p) and supports a variable refresh rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz. HDR support is coming too, but Nintendo didn’t specify any of the fine details on the screen’s brightness so it might not be as impressive as something like the Steam Deck OLED. And while it’s technically not a feature of the screen itself, the thinner bezel should make it just feel bigger as well.

Joy-Cons

Switch 2’s new Joy-Cons work a bit differently than the original Switch. They magnetically attach to the sides of the console and don’t produce that satisfying snap like they used to. The original Joy-Cons weigh around 1.7 ounces (left) and 1.8 ounces (right), and the new ones weigh around 2.3 ounces (left) and 2.4 ounces (right). That might be because the Switch 2’s Joy-Cons have a bonus mouse sensor that lets you flip them on their side and slide them around, and the new C button for GameChat. And if the rumors are true, they might also have better Hall-effect joysticks to prevent the dreaded “stick drift” (though it was not revealed in the Direct).

CPU/GPU

Switch 2 is powered by a “custom processor made by Nvidia,” Nintendo says. According to leaked details gleaned from the console’s motherboard, it’s supposedly a custom Tegra T239 processor. That would put the system’s processing power on par with previous-generation consoles like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, according to analysts. But leaks suggest the Switch 2 will employ upscaling technology that can boost 720p resolution visuals up to 4K when docked, using machine learning techniques.

Storage

Switch 2 has 256 GB of flash storage, considerably more than the original Switch’s 32 GB of storage. If that sounds a little small for you, you can still expand the storage with an SD card. The original Switch supported microSDHC and microSDXC (UHS-I) cards up to 2 TB, while the Switch 2 supports up to 2 TB microSD Express cards, which offer much faster read speeds.

Additionally, Switch 2 is rumored to have 12 GB of RAM.

Ports

Switch 2 features a port for game cartridges, two USB-C ports, and a 3.5 mm headphone jack. The USB-C port on the bottom of the console is purely for charging and connecting to the dock. A slot for expanded microSD storage appears to be tucked away underneath the Switch 2’s kickstand, similar to the original Switch.

Microphone

Switch 2 has a built-in microphone that will primarily be used for its Discord-like GameChat feature. It has noise cancellation, echo cancellation, and auto gain control so you don’t have to fuss with settings for it to pick up everyone in the room.

Battery life

Switch 2’s battery will last around 2 to 6.5 hours depending on the games you play. That’s actually a tiny bit less than the launch Switch 1 models, which can run from 2.6 to 6.5 hours, and considerably less than the updated models that last 4.5 to 9 hours. Blame the Switch 2’s bigger and better screen for making you charge it a little more often. Thankfully, it can be charged up to full in the same three hours it took the original consoles (while in sleep mode).

Wi-Fi

Switch 2 supports Wi-Fi 6 connectivity, which should make downloading games faster if you have a beefy internet connection. It also means screen-sharing your games over GameChat should be smooth, too. Alternatively, the Switch 2 dock has a wired Ethernet port built-in, unlike the original Switch which required a completely separate adapter.

Dock

Switch 2’s dock looks a lot like the original Switch’s dock, but it’s a little bigger to match the size of the new console. It comes in at 4.5 inches tall, 7.9 inches wide, and 2 inches thick. On the back, there are 2 USB ports, an HDMI port, and an Ethernet port. And when you slide your system into it, it will output video up to 4K at 60 frames per second to your TV.

Accessibility

Switch 2 offers a couple new accessibility options that weren’t available on the original Switch, including text sizing and text-to-speech. You can also turn on speech-to-text and text-to-speech specifically for GameChat. And like the original Switch, you can still remap controller buttons, change the display colors, zoom into the screen, and swap the audio from stereo to mono.