Leak Indicates Nintendo Switch 2 Utilizing 120 Hz LCD Screen with VRR & HDR Capabilities

[T0@st]

As expected, Nintendo has kept quiet about the upcoming Switch 2 hybrid console's feature set and internal makeup. The next-gen portable gaming system's debut presentation served as a mostly surface-level teaser. News outlets have relied heavily on leaks for "insider" reportage, going back to the early 2020s—starting off with kopite7kimi's discovery of a mysterious NVIDIA "T239" chipset. As reported last week, Famiboards—a Nintendo-centric online forum—has served as a somewhat reliable source of inside track information. Earlier in the year, one member started to share NDA-busting details about Switch 2's display technology: "I've heard that the screen supports 120 Hz and VRR, which should help a lot in handheld." Weeks later, SecretBoy elaborated on the benefits of this setup: "developers can optimize the handheld profiles of their games with VRR and 40 FPS in mind."

The GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit views SecretBoy's leaks as being fairly accurate/legitimate: "(they) called out the GPU performance before the clock speeds were leaked; 10 days later back in January (3 TFLOPS docked, 1.4/1.5 TFLOPS handheld)." Earlier today, the tipster's latest musings were compiled into a Reddit summary—another set of quotes reads as follows (in condensed form): "I will reiterate that the screen is 120 Hz with HDR and VRR support. That's what I'm personally most excited for...No idea about the actual quality of the screen, but I think OLED was always going to be too expensive for this feature set, which they needed to get into the first iteration of the hardware so that developers could optimize their games around it (speculation)." Screen technology connoisseurs have expressed much disappointment about Nintendo's alleged selection of an "inferior" panel—many will point out that Valve was inspired by the Switch OLED model (2021); their Steam Deck handheld was famously upgraded/refreshed in 2023 with a fancier screen. Invited guests will get to experience Switch 2's "hugely revelatory" LCD tech at various Nintendo-hosted international preview events in April.



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[lexluthermiester]

I'm conflicted on this. OLED has the burn-in problem. However the latest gen of OLED has improved on that problem. I do like the 120hz feature, but will translate into 120hz TV?

 

[Onasi]

"developers can optimize the handheld profiles of their games with VRR and 40 FPS in mind."

Interesting. Implying that the target will be around 40 FPS for more demanding titles with back-compat and lighter ones being potentially able to leverage more of the 120Hz screen? Would be a solid improvement to the outgoing Switch, with a lot of games even 30 FPS is a dream on that. Though that would also depend on how low would the dynamic resolution go in handheld mode and what the target average resolution would even be.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Weeks later, SecretBoy elaborated on the benefits of this setup: "developers can optimize the handheld profiles of their games with VRR and 40 FPS in mind."

That was an opinion from "secretboy", not an actual statement from Nintendo or any devs.

I think the target should be 60FPS.

 

[wNotyarD]

I'm conflicted on this. OLED has the burn-in problem. However the latest gen of OLED has improved on that problem. I do like the 120hz feature, but will translate into 120hz TV?

It'd be weird not being able to output 120Hz to the TV while docked. And if it is indeed able to do 120Hz and VRR, it would be quite good with modern OLED TVs.

 

[lexluthermiester]

It'd be weird not being able to output 120Hz to the TV while docked. And if it is indeed able to do 120Hz and VRR, it would be quite good with modern OLED TVs.

I've seen stranger things. It would seem logical, but who knows.

 

[Baba]

I guess if one only plays with it docked, then it doesn't matter what screen it has.

 

[T0@st]

That was an opinion from "SecretBoy," not an actual statement from Nintendo or any devs. I think the target should be 60 FPS.

Yeah, that's his interpretation of the situation. Hopefully the Digital Foundry guys will be getting a longer hands-on experience next month.

 

[windwhirl]

I'm conflicted on this. OLED has the burn-in problem. However the latest gen of OLED has improved on that problem. I do like the 120hz feature, but will translate into 120hz TV?

It'd take a shitton (like hundreds if not thousands of hours of the exact same thing) to burn in, at least if Nintendo chose an OLED panel with the same quality as their OG Switch OLED

A 3,600-hour Nintendo Switch OLED test gets to the bottom of burn-in

YouTuber’s test results provide potential good news for more than just the Switch.

arstechnica.com

 

[Pizdarenkowitch]

So basically also here no TCL CSOT InkJet Print OLED???

 

[zzd911]

Easy, a screen capable of 120hz does not mean it will work at 120hz.

 

[lexluthermiester]

It'd take a shitton (like hundreds if not thousands of hours of the exact same thing) to burn in, at least if Nintendo chose an OLED panel with the same quality as their OG Switch OLED

A 3,600-hour Nintendo Switch OLED test gets to the bottom of burn-in

YouTuber’s test results provide potential good news for more than just the Switch.

arstechnica.com

I don't care how long it would take. It happens and that's a problem that can not be ignored.

I guess if one only plays with it docked, then it doesn't matter what screen it has.

This is fair point.

 

[Arkz]

I don't care how long it would take. It happens and that's a problem that can not be ignored.


This is fair point.

Fine, the rest of us will ignore it. It's not been an issue for my phone or TV, though my tv has "picture move"
If it takes that long on a static image on full brightness then it's a non issue in real world use. And if it ever did happen, replace the screen lol.

 

[N3utro]

$500 sounds so overpriced for this. You can get a 8 inch android gaming tablet with 12GB of ram, 144 hz screen and snapdragon 8 soc which runs demanding games at high settings smoothly for half that price.

 

[sephiroth117]

$500 sounds so overpriced for this. You can get a 8 inch android gaming tablet with 12GB of ram, 144 hz screen and snapdragon 8 soc which runs demanding games at high settings smoothly for half that price.

Analysts are leaning towards 400$ for the switch 2. We’ll know in few weeks anyways but 500$ for me would be too expensive and I really don’t see it

 

[lexluthermiester]

And if it ever did happen, replace the screen lol.

Thank you for keenly illustrating my point.

 

[windwhirl]

It happens and that's a problem that can not be ignored.

I think the user is the problem if they force the screen to show the exact same thing 3000+ hours continuously.

The screen is shut off automatically over lack of user input after a few minutes, on top of that, so you'd have to go out of your way to make the system keep the screen on for that much time.

 

[Arkz]

Thank you for keenly illustrating my point.

The point that you can wreck the screen if you do so on purpose and normal usage even on the extreme end won't cause any harm?

I refuse to use glass windows cause if someone throws a brick at them they'll break.
I don't care how long it would take. It happens and that's a problem that can not be ignored.

 

[lexluthermiester]

I think the user is the problem if they force the screen to show the exact same thing 3000+ hours continuously.

How would using the system as intended for decades to come a problem? I intended to be using my NS2 til I die, just like my NES/SNES and so on. Product durability is not a luxury, it's an expectation and requirement.

The point that you can wreck the screen if you do so on purpose and normal usage even on the extreme end won't cause any harm?

I refuse to use glass windows cause if someone throws a brick at them they'll break.
I don't care how long it would take. It happens and that's a problem that can not be ignored.

Your pedantic side-stepping is as pointless as it is useless. Stop reacting and responding with your ego.

 

[windwhirl]

How would using the system as intended for decade to come a problem? I intended to be using my NS2 til I die, just like my NES/SNES and so on. Product durability is not a luxury, it's an expectation and requirement.

Your idea of using the product as intended is showing a single static image for over 3600 hours? That's unrealistic.

 

[AsRock]

How would using the system as intended for decade to come a problem? I intended to be using my NS2 til I die, just like my NES/SNES and so on. Product durability is not a luxury, it's an expectation and requirement.


Your pedantic side-stepping is as pointless as it is useless. Stop reacting and responding with your ego.

Maybe he plans to stay indoors and never to go out again as you know some thing might happen, like get ran over.

 

[lexluthermiester]

Your idea of using the product as intended is showing a single static image for over 3600 hours? That's unrealistic.

You're missing a key point. Static images are NOT the point of failure for OLED. The reason burn-in takes place is because of pixel element degradation. This degradation happens to the whole screen regardless of static images. Static images only highlight that degradation, they are not a result of it.

 

[Scrizz]

You're missing a key point. Static images are NOT the point of failure for OLED. The reason burn-in takes place is because of pixel element degradation. This degradation happens to the whole screen regardless of static images. Static images only highlight that degradation, they are not a result of it.

If any degradation is an issue, then I guess you don't use IPS screens either

 

[lexluthermiester]

If any degradation is an issue, then I guess you don't use IPS screens either

Oh please. Are you kidding with that trollish nonsense?