As anticipation builds for Nintendo's next-generation gaming console, new leaks have emerged through Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba, potentially offering glimpses into the Nintendo Switch 2's design and dimensions. While unconfirmed, these leaks add to the growing body of information about Nintendo's highly anticipated successor to the Switch.
Recent Leaks and Their Significance
The latest development in Nintendo Switch 2 rumors comes from Alibaba, where listings for protective cases and tempered glass screen protectors have appeared. These accessories suggest significant design changes from the current Switch model, particularly in terms of size. The case dimensions indicate a device measuring 11.6 inches (29.5cm) in width, 5.9 inches (15cm) in height, and 1.9 inches (5cm) in depth, suggesting a form factor more comparable to the Steam Deck OLED than the current Switch.
Leaked Case Dimensions:
- Width: 11.6 inches (29.5cm)
- Height: 5.9 inches (15cm)
- Depth: 1.9 inches (5cm)
Technical Specifications and Performance
According to multiple sources, the Nintendo Switch 2 is expected to utilize NVIDIA's Tegra T239 chipset, featuring an Ampere-based GPU with 1280 CUDA Cores and an 8-core ARM Cortex A78 CPU. The system will reportedly include 12GB of LPDDR5 RAM split into two 6GB modules, representing a threefold increase from its predecessor. Storage capacity is expected to reach 256GB, eight times larger than the original Switch and four times that of the OLED model.
Expected Hardware Specifications:
- CPU: 8-core ARM Cortex A78
- GPU: NVIDIA Ampere with 1280 CUDA Cores
- RAM: 12GB LPDDR5 (2x6GB)
- Storage: 256GB
- Features: DLSS Super Resolution, Ray Reconstruction support
Advanced Gaming Features
The new console is said to incorporate NVIDIA's DLSS Super Resolution technology and Ray Reconstruction capabilities, confirming ray tracing support. While these features suggest improved visual performance, the hardware is still expected to be less powerful than the Xbox Series S. However, Nintendo's approach of optimizing games specifically for their hardware could lead to impressive results despite the technical limitations.
Release Timeline and Official Announcement
Nintendo has committed to unveiling their new hardware before the end of their fiscal year in March 2025, marking potentially eight years since the original Switch's launch. While these accessory leaks might indicate that production is ramping up, it's important to approach such unofficial information with skepticism until Nintendo makes an official announcement.