On Friday, we showed you details of the upcoming Nintendo Switch from the most likely source to date which is a "3D scan of the actual hardware" obtained from the case maker Dbrand. But, Dbrand isn't the sole source of leaks.
A Redditor called "NextHandheld" claims to have touched and seen the final retail version of Nintendo Switch 2. Nintendo Switch 2. I've had a conversation with them and I've heard and witnessed enough evidence to suggest they could be legitimate.
In particular, I've seen two images of an alleged Nintendo Switch 2 dock, and a photo showing what appears to be the internals of the potential Switch 2 controller rail, with certification logos, and showing exposed copper contacts and a hinge made of metal that opens with an unnatural angle. It's notable that the dock is however not part of the 3D scans that are circulated among casemakers.
If NextHandheld is honest and we've learned some details about Nintendo's upcoming console. For instance, although we'd like it to be dubbed"Super Nintendo Switch, "Super Nintendo Switch," it's likely to launch with the name of Nintendo Switch 2.
Name and date
In official terms, Nintendo is calling it "the successor to Nintendo Switch," promises to officially unveil its new gaming console on March 31, 2025, and announced the console will be compatible backward with the original Switch games.
According to a source, NextHandheld's source believed that the announcement could happen within January they have shared what they believe to be direct evidence to the Verge that it's an official announcement of the Nintendo Switch 2. I saw a photograph of a dock that has the same logo as the Nintendo Switch. It's the same as the Nintendo Switch, only with two dots attached.
While NextHandheld states that the company is "disappointed" that the dock does not appear to have additional ports than the first it had two USB-A ports one HDMI one Ethernet and one USB-C that could be utilized as a power brickIt could possess some other device to play with.
Magnetic controllers - finally, with the ability to resist drift with joysticks
On April 1, Spanish journal Vandal (which accurately published some minor details about Switch's OLED before launch) correctly reported minor details of Switch OLED before its the launch) revealed that, shockingly, Nintendo might replace the Switch's rails for controllers in the form of magnets which will allow Joy-Cons to effortlessly snap into their place.
Nowadays, it is no longer awe-inspiring as the image I took of a Joystick rail region doesn't have a rail. It's merely an extended, rounded hollow region, with the 13-pin connector sticking out, allowing it to fit in the Joy-Con. NextHandheld claims that there's a magnetic click when attaching them. You'll push bigger buttons on your controller which is physically connected to a magnetic field, to let go of.
In addition, more importantly, The Nintendo Switch 2 might finally eliminate the notorious "Joy-Con Drift" that plagues controllers of the past. NextHandheld promises that the controllers will come with electronic Hall effect joysticks that aren't contaminated with the same sensor material and are able to be calibrated easily.
.png "Nintendo Switch 2 and its Dock According to The Mysterious Reddit Leaker")
A U-shaped kickstand
The first Nintendo Switch had a tiny gum stick that was easy to topple from a stand, and the Switch OLED was a wide flat plate. However, it appears that the Nintendo Switch 2 will feature the U-shaped rail of the kickstand, as per the image NextHandheld sent me.
I've heard that the 3D CAD model shows the U-shape as well -Case manufacturers have started sharing pictures of similar kickstands with U-shapes, too. However, it appears that it's a bit more sturdy than the mockups that are floating around:
Nintendo Switch 2
- U Shaped Kickstand
- Console - 118.5mm x 273mm
- Two Lights on Switch 2, which is lighter than the steam deck
- More ZL/ZR buttons that are larger than Switch 1
- Magnet Joycons make a "Click" Sound
- 2 Joycon Back Release Buttons
Additional Power when connected?
At one point, Nintendo was believed to be planning to launch the Nintendo Switch Pro, one that would display 4K-quality graphics when docked to your television, at least partly due to Nvidia's DLSS AI scaling. It didn't happen, however, Nintendo Switch 2's dock could be a way to let the console operate a bit more quickly.
In Reddit, NextHandheld cryptically teased that asking if the dock has fans is "the right question," and in a photograph posted to the Verge, I can see that the dock is said to have huge feet in the back, ones positioned so it can lay horizontally, without blocking a series of vents.
While I doubt you'd purposely place it on its back as the device could fall out of the wide slot onto the top, I can see Nintendo trying to ensure that the console doesn't overheat in case you happen to fall on it.
Interestingly, NextHandheld states that the dock is rated at 60W while Switch 2 claims that the Switch 2 is rated at 45W. Both of these will be significantly more than the original if it is the claims are true. The original Switch featured an unusual 39W charging power source for both handheld and docked modes, that only offered 18W for the handheld.
.png "Nintendo Switch 2 and its Dock According to The Mysterious Reddit Leaker")
Many things we aren't aware of
You can read The NextHandheld's Reddit posts or go through this first review for more information about the upcoming console. However, the Redditor has stated that they haven't been able to turn on the console or play any games. It's unclear if a Switch 2 can play original Switch cartridges, or if it can play only the digital Switch 1 games. We don't know if the Switch 2 comes with a microphone or camera, the amount of storage space it has, its performance, or even anything about its 8-inch display or its launch games.
The company has stated that it will be launched in dark grey it will be similar to its predecessor, the Nintendo Switch as well and it's expected to be later followed by a white model as well as one that is themed around existing Nintendo games that haven't had an emoji-themed Switch until now. They're also the most recent to suggest a brand new second USB-C port at the top of the device, although it was evidently discovered by the 3-D scanner.
If it's real that Nintendo will unveil its Switch 2 in January, however, you don't need to wait for long for additional information or to determine whether they're true.