Nintendo has confirmed the technical details of the Switch 2, scheduled for release on June 5, 2025. The new console debuts with a custom processor developed in partnership with NVIDIA, the T239, as well as advancements in memory, storage, and graphics processing.
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The chip architecture includes eight Arm Cortex-A78C cores with exclusive support for 64-bit instructions. Two cores are dedicated to the operating system, while the other six are available for gaming. The operating frequency varies depending on usage, reaching up to 1,700 MHz in specific situations.
Ampere GPU guarantees a graphical leap
The Nintendo Switch 2's graphics unit utilizes the Ampere architecture, with 1,536 CUDA cores. This change represents a significant evolution compared to the previous generation, which had only 256 cores. The new GPU operates at 561 MHz in handheld mode and 1,007 MHz in docked mode.
With this configuration, the graphics performance reaches 3.07 teraflops in docked mode, compared to the 0.39 teraflops of the original Switch. The console is also compatible with technologies such as DLSS and ray tracing, although there are still no announced games that explore these features. The expectation is that future releases, such as Star Wars Outlaws, will be able to utilize them.
Furthermore, ray tracing offers speeds of up to 10 gigarays per second in handheld mode and 20 in docked mode. Even with part of the GPU reserved for system tasks, the gain in available power for gaming is significant.
LPDDR5X memory boosts performance
The Nintendo Switch 2 comes with 12 GB of LPDDR5X memory, divided into two 6 GB modules. Bandwidth reaches 102 GB/s when docked and 68 GB/s in handheld mode. This new configuration represents almost triple the previous capacity.
Of those 12 GB, 9 are free for games and applications, while the other 3 are reserved for the system. In the first model, only 3.2 GB were available for games, which limited the execution of more demanding titles.
The new memory directly contributes to faster loading speeds and game stability, especially for games with open worlds and high-resolution textures.
Storage capacity triples and a decompression engine is added
The new console features 256 GB of internal UFS storage, compared to the 32 GB eMMC of the previous version. Expansion remains possible via MicroSD card, now with support for the Express standard, which allows up to 2 TB of additional storage.
The Switch 2 also debuts a feature never before seen in the line: a dedicated file decompression engine. Called the File Decompression Engine (FDE), the system works with the LZ4 format, freeing up the main processor for other tasks.
This mechanism helps reduce charging time without overloading the main chip, which also contributes to the device's thermal control.
The screen grows and gains HDR and variable refresh rate
The Switch 2 screen is 7.9 inches, with 1080p resolution, HDR10 support, and a variable refresh rate (VRR) of up to 120 Hz. The ten-point multitouch panel maintains the interactivity of previous models, but with higher image quality.
The VRR feature only works on the built-in screen and is not available via HDMI. This is due to limitations of the DisplayPort to HDMI converter used in the dock, as had already been suggested in previous reviews.
Despite this limitation, the new screen represents a significant advancement, especially for those who play in portable mode, offering smoother and more detailed images.
What the specifications reveal about the new phase of the Switch
The Nintendo Switch 2 represents a significant technical advancement, focusing on balanced performance and intelligent optimization. The adoption of Ampere GPU, DLSS, and increased RAM shows that Nintendo wants to maintain its portable design, but without limiting developers as before. The console now has the power to run modern titles more smoothly and with less graphical loss, especially with the support of DLSS.
Furthermore, the decompression motor and faster RAM indicate a focus on energy efficiency and user experience, prioritizing fast loading times and reduced heat generation. The absence of VRR via HDMI reinforces that the priority remains portable mode, and not direct competition with the PS5 or Xbox.
In short, the Switch 2 is a more mature console, better prepared for the new generation of games, striking a good balance between power, portability, and technical intelligence, without losing the essence of the hybrid concept that made it a global phenomenon.
