Alleged images of Nintendo’s new Switch have appeared online | VGC

Alleged images of the Nintendo Switch successor console have appeared online, showing a design that’s not too dissimilar from the previous console.

The images, which appeared on Reddit but were originally sourced from a Chinese social media site, show a device with a larger 8-inch screen, magnetic Joy-Cons, and USB-C ports on both the top and bottom.

While the images are unverified, one source, who has not seen the final ‘ Switch 2’ console but has been briefed on Nintendo’s plans, told VGC that the Reddit images match what the company has told partners to expect from its design.

VGC has asked Nintendo for comment on this story.

According to today’s images, Switch 2 will include 12GB of RAM (compared to 4GB of the original Switch), support for HDMI 2.1, and 256GB of internal storage (compared to 32GB), which matches an alleged shipping leak from earlier in the year.

While the design shown in the images shows similar controllers to the current Switch, there are some notable changes, such as revised SL/SR buttons and front-facing player LEDs.

The images are also in line with earlier reports on Switch 2’s design. Previously, publications including VGC reported that the Switch successor would include a larger 8-inch screen, and a Nintendo patent suggested that it would be opting for a new magnetic attachment for its controllers.

Two sources VGC spoke to last year suggested that the console could launch with an LCD screen, instead of the more premium OLED, in order to bring down costs, especially considering the increased storage needed for higher fidelity games.

Chinese peripheral maker Mobapad also previously claimed that the Switch 2 handheld will support 1080p resolution, and that its new dock will support 4K resolution.

While Nintendo has refrained from making any specific comments about future hardware when asked about features like backwards compatibility, the company plans to announce its next console during its current fiscal year, which runs until March 31, 2025.

Last month, it was claimed that developers had been briefed not to expect Nintendo’s next console to launch before April 2025.

VGC reported in February that Nintendo had internally delayed the launch of its next-gen console from this year to early 2025.

One publishing source suggested the delay was so that it could prepare stronger first-party software for the console, while others have claimed the move was made to avoid potential hardware supply issues.

However, David Gibson, a senior research analyst at MST Financial, suggested earlier this month that financial guidance from Nintendo assembler Hosiden might point to plans to launch the system sooner.

“No-one seems to have noticed the Nintendo assembler- Hosiden is spending ¥2bn on production equipment and ¥1bn on automation in FY3/25 for its major customer in amusement (Nintendo),” he wrote. “I still expect Sept news and March 2025 release for next device.”