Nintendo Switch 2 rumors have surfaced throughout the year, but in the past few weeks, online speculation has heated up. New (unverified) leaked information and comments from purported insiders are now coming in almost daily. The Switch 2 could be officially announced as early as January.

If confirmation of the Nintendo Switch 2 is indeed imminent, we will soon know exactly what Nintendo has been preparing. I love my Nintendo Switch, but after 8 years (and after recently getting a Steam Deck), I wanted a new console.

As mentioned above, there are currently many rumors circulating about the Switch 2, and when I look at what the console could become according to these unsubstantiated whispers, these are the three upgrade rumors that I am most excited about. If these rumors prove to be accurate, I will join the throngs of Nintendo fans who are (or will be) trying to pre-order a Switch 2 in early 2025.

My colleague Scott Yunker recently expressed disappointment at rumors that Nintendo is not considering shaking up the Nintendo Switch's design philosophy with its successor hardware. But for me, that's exactly what I wanted to hear.

I have previously written about my concerns that Nintendo will “Wii U-ize” the Switch 2 and make unnecessary changes to its very attractive core design, but looking at the various console mockups circulating on the Internet, Nintendo's approach is more than a revolution. It may be one of refreshment.

In the past few weeks, there have been a plethora of Switch 2 renderings and mockups popping up online, including the aptly named “Killswitch 2” case from accessory maker Dbrand. And well, if the rumors are accurate, the Switch 2 bears a striking resemblance to the original Nintendo Switch. At first glance, the only major addition seems to be a new button on the right Joy-Con. What this button will be used for is a mystery, but it is marked “C” in some renderings.

A potentially bigger tweak to the console is the Switch docking station. One online rendering (see image above) shows a slimmer dock, with part of the Switch's display visible even when the unit is docked. Perhaps this might allow for a dual-screen capability that would allow the Switch 2 to display key information even when it is connected to a TV.

Needless to say, Nintendo's next console will almost certainly be more powerful than the current Nintendo Switch. As such, it is only natural that performance will be improved, but I personally expect a significant upgrade. I recently got a Steam Deck, and after being able to play blockbusters like “The Elden Ring” and “Red Dead Redemption 2” on the go, I occasionally struggle to run less demanding titles at reasonable resolutions and reliable frame rates! It's hard to go back to Switch.

While there is little chance that the Nintendo Switch 2 will match the graphics power of the recently released PS5 Pro, rumors in May suggested that the Switch 2 would triple the performance of its predecessor. According to sources, the Switch 2 will have 12GB of RAM, a significant increase from the current model's 4GB; it will run on the NVIDIA Tegra 239 CPU and support NVIDIA DLSS Super Resolution and Ray Reconstruction. This power increase would be a very welcome upgrade over the current Switch.

One area where the Switch 2 could be downgraded compared to the current Switch lineup is the display; VGC has stated that the Switch 2 will not feature an OLED screen like the Nintendo Switch OLED, but instead will have a regular Switch (and Nintendo Switch Lite), claiming that it will stick with the LCDs found on the Switch (and Nintendo Switch Lite). While this would be less expensive to manufacture, I would be disappointed, as OLED is simply superior.

Persistent in the Switch 2 rumors is the claim that Nintendo's next console will make significant changes to the Joy-Con controller, especially the way it connects to the console. I have always felt that the current Switch console's connection feels flimsy, and one must remember that at launch there was an issue with a user accidentally attaching the Joy-Con strap backwards, forcing Nintendo to create a dedicated support page.

Various rumors suggest that the Nintendo Switch 2 will use a magnetic system for the Joy-Con controllers (a recent YouTube video may have been the first confirmation of this system in action). Similar to the current rail system, there will be a release button on the back of each Joy-Con. This certainly seems like an upgrade, and hopefully the electromagnetic connection will make the Switch feel sturdier and safer to hold.

Another change that is said to be brought to the Joy-Con is that it will be slightly larger in size and have a more rounded design. I don't have particularly large hands, but even I find the current Switch controller somewhat uncomfortable to hold for long periods of time. If this rumor is accurate, it would be a small but impactful change that could make the console more premium.