Nintendo Switch 2 LCD Screen: Nintendo Explains the Shift from OLED and New Advances
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Published on: April 03, 2025
Description
Nintendo Switch 2’s move to an LCD screen was officially confirmed during a special hands-on event in New York, following months of rumors and insider reports leading up to the announcement.
Since the launch of the original Nintendo Switch in 2017—with both its base LCD and subsequent OLED upgrade models—fans and industry experts alike have speculated about the hardware direction of Nintendo’s next-generation console.
Now, with the Nintendo Switch 2, the company has chosen to return to an LCD display, but not without careful consideration and a focus on new technological gains.
Speaking at a roundtable discussion, key Nintendo developers—including Kouichi Kawamoto, Takuhiro Dohta, and Tetsuya Sasaki—shared insights into the decision-making process behind the new console’s display technology.
Sasaki noted that significant advances have been made in LCD technology since the original Switch’s release.
As he explained, the development team thoroughly evaluated the current capabilities of LCD displays available to them, factoring both performance and user experience into their decision.
"After extensive review and consideration, we decided to move forward with LCD," Sasaki said.
"Recent improvements in LCD technology enable us to deliver enhanced display features that weren’t possible eight years ago with the first-generation Switch."
One standout advancement is the addition of HDR (High Dynamic Range) support, a feature not present on either the standard or OLED versions of the previous console.
"Even with the OLED version of Nintendo Switch, HDR was not supported," Sasaki highlighted.
"Now, we can provide that experience to our players on Switch 2."
Industry observers recognize that modern LCD screens, such as those found in devices like the PlayStation Portal, offer levels of brightness, color reproduction, and responsiveness far beyond what early Switch owners experienced.
While the deeper black levels of OLED remain unmatched, current LCD panels deliver a compelling mix of efficiency, affordability, and image quality—helping Nintendo balance cost considerations with a quality visual experience.
Nintendo’s approach underscores a commitment to leveraging the best available technology for the Switch 2’s launch, which is anticipated to take place within the upcoming hardware cycle.
Alongside its new display features, the Switch 2 is expected to further enrich Nintendo’s gaming ecosystem through ongoing support on the eShop and integration with upcoming titles highlighted in Nintendo Direct presentations.
As the Switch 2 prepares for its release, scheduled details on exact launch timing and initial sales targets are still forthcoming.
However, Nintendo’s transparent discussion about the screen technology indicates strong confidence in their choices.
Players and industry analysts alike will be watching to see how the new hardware measures up both to its predecessor and the rapidly evolving handheld market.
