Nintendo Switch 2 OLED Reportedly Uses Samsung Display
▼ Summary
– The Switch 2 launched with an LCD display, disappointing some owners of the original Switch OLED due to the loss of inky blacks and superior motion clarity.
– A report indicates a potential Switch 2 OLED model using a Samsung Display rigid OLED panel at 1080p, likely matching or exceeding the LCD’s size, refresh rate, and HDR support.
– Nintendo is still deciding on the OLED model, weighing the extra cost against passing it to consumers amid rising RAM and SSD prices.
– If approved, development would start near the end of the year, with mass production around 2027/2028 and retail availability in 2028 at the earliest.
– A poll shows 35% of voters are waiting for the OLED model before buying a Switch 2, while 19% are happy with their current LCD model.
While the Nintendo Switch 2 delivers an impressive leap in performance and features, longtime fans of the original Switch OLED (including this writer) couldn’t help but feel a pang of disappointment when the new console launched with an LCD display. Yes, the screen is larger, brighter, and smoother thanks to a higher refresh rate, but the deep blacks and superior motion clarity that OLED technology provides are tough to walk away from.
According to a new report from ZDNet Korea, however, a Switch 2 OLED model may eventually arrive to fill that gap. The upgraded version is said to feature a Samsung Display “rigid” OLED panel (meaning it is non-flexible) running at the same 1080p resolution as the current LCD unit. Beyond that, details on size, refresh rate, and HDR capabilities remain unconfirmed. Still, it would be logical for the so-called “SWOLED2” to at least match the existing model in those areas. If that holds true, we could be looking at a 7.9-inch 120Hz display with support for VRR and HDR10.
Unfortunately, the timeline for a Switch 2 OLED is far from imminent. The report suggests that Nintendo leadership is still weighing the decision to move forward. A major sticking point is how much of the added cost for OLED production the company can absorb versus passing it along to consumers. With RAM and SSD prices having risen dramatically since the Switch 2 launch, the viability of a premium model at a reasonable price point remains uncertain.
A recent poll asked readers whether they are waiting for a Switch 2 OLED. Out of 514 votes, 35% said they have held off on buying a Switch 2 until an OLED version is available. Another 40% already own a Switch 2 but are waiting for the OLED upgrade. Meanwhile, 19% are happy with their current LCD model, and 5% do not own a Switch 2 at all.
If Nintendo greenlights the project, development is expected to begin late this year, with mass production likely around the turn of 2027/2028. Retail availability would follow sometime in 2028 at the earliest. That would be a shorter gap between LCD and OLED launches than the original Switch experienced, but it still represents a long wait for anyone holding out.
What are your thoughts? Would a Switch 2 OLED be a day-one purchase for you, or are you satisfied with the current LCD model? Share your opinion in the poll and comments below.
(Source: Digitalfoundry.net)
