Support NeoGAF

[Thick Thighs Save Lives]

Nintendo has responded to questions around its decision to go with an LCD screen for the $449.99 Switch 2, rather than an OLED screen, as it used for the OLED version of the OG Switch.

Switch 2 has a 7.9-inch wide color gamut LCD screen capable of outputting at 1080p (1920x1080). In size terms, this is a big upgrade from Switch 1's 6.2-inch screen, the Switch OLED's 7-inch screen, and the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen.

There is also support for HDR10 and VRR up to 120 Hz, which means games can jump up to 120fps if they and your setup allow it.

But it’s the quality of the screen itself and the image players see that has sparked discussion among Nintendo fans. During a hardware-focused roundtable Q&A in New York yesterday, attended by IGN, Nintendo representatives were asked why the company went back to an LCD for the Switch 2, which could be seen as a “downgrade” from the OLED Switch.

Tetsuya Sasaki, General Manager, Technology Development Division and Senior Director, Technology Development Department at Nintendo, said the company did not take the decision lightly.

“Now there's a lot of advancements that have been made in LCD technology during development,” Sasaki explained.

“We took a look at the technology that was available to us now and after a lot of consideration we decided to stick to LCD.”

Sasaki then made the point that the Switch 2 supports HDR, which the OLED Switch does not.

“Even with the OLED version of Nintendo Switch, we didn’t have compatibility support for HDR, but that's something we have the support for now,” he said.

Nintendo Decided to Go From the Switch OLED to an LCD Screen for Switch 2 ‘After a Lot of Consideration’ - IGN

Nintendo has responded to questions around its decision to go with an LCD screen for the Switch 2 rather than an OLED screen, as it used for the OLED version of the OG Switch. Is it a "downgrade?"

www.ign.com

 

[Vaquilla]

I mean some people are already whining about the price, they had to keep costs down somehow

 

[Lorianus]

For the double dip with the midgen refresh with OLED better battery and more storage, also corporate greed.

 

[RetroGamingUK]

How are back levels on this new HDR screen?

Is the backlighting technology different to the original Switch?

 

[mèx]

We all know why they did it. To resell you an OLED Switch 2 down the line.

 

[San Dan Glokta]

The considerations:

 

[Fabieter]

I mean some people are already whining about the price, they had to keep costs down somehow

500 with oled and normal priced games would have been fine i guess.

 

[GigaBowser]

lcd screen is betters in some ways high qualities and gsync

 

[Robb]

The consideration being if they think they can sell a identical model with an OLED screen later down the road to both new and existing customers.

 

[Paulistano]

They know people will double dip when they release an OLED model later.

 

[crunchyBiscuits]

OLED revision plus... 30fps on OLED don't look great

 

[MrRibeye]

I'm no CEO, but I feel like selling an OLED Switch 2 at a hardware cost price that doesn't profit my company is still what I'd do to establish market dominance to ensure neither Deck nor Xbox eat my cake.

 

[RayHell]

More like an opportunity to double dip by releasing one later for 100$ more.

 

[balls of snow]

The consideration being they gonna get you to double dip on an oled revision later.

 

[Miyazaki’s Slave]

Judging the lack of interest on Gaf at least, I’m sure this is DOA. No way they will even make it to a hardware refresh.

It will be WiiU Karen ALLLL over again…Nintendoomed!!

(At least these threads are a distraction…I’d easy pay $1000 usd for sleep hell I would settle for the digital version at that price tag)

 

[Von Hugh]

Watch them come back with an OLED version in two years with a 100 dollars bigger price tag.

 

[ValiantInstance]

The screen looks pretty good, so whatever. And I say that as an OLED junkie.

We all know why they did it. To resell you an OLED Switch 2 down the line.

This is definitely why though.

 

[Tacrovy]

Yeah...sure... let`s not pretend that in some moment they will get a new model with oled and a lot more expensive shit.

 

[spookyfish]

The Consideration: “We can charge more for an OLED refresh in 2.4 years!”

 

[ReyBrujo]

Truth be told LCD technology continues to advance, you can't compare the GameGear one with the Nomad with the PSP with the Vita with this one. Not sure I'll be getting a Switch 2 until the OLED version comes but will be paying attention to hands on.

 

[Hawk The Slayer]

It’s all greed to try and make people double dip. Every other reason they or others tries to tell you are fake.

Nuff said.

 

[Alebrije]

2027 S2 Oled versión is relased....double dip for Nintendo...

 

[Pop]

Oh ya Im sure Nintendo cares about its fans, always looking out for them

 

[Griffon]

This was a good choice on their part. I'd rather have GSync with 120hz than OLED.

 

[QLQ]

 

[Thief1987]

I mean some people are already whining about the price, they had to keep costs down somehow

Or they just could take a loss from the hardware like any other platformholder

 

[Imtjnotu]

Nintendo really thinks we're all dumb huh

 

[GHG]

OLED revision plus... 30fps on OLED don't look great

30fps on the 90hz steam deck OLED screen begs to differ.

 

[near]

OLED Pros:
By far the better screen, full stop

OLED Cons:
It cost more than the LCD screen

After much consideration, we will stick to LCD. - Nintendo

 

[Zacfoldor]

I'm okay with it. I want a Switch 2 OLED mid gen refresh. This time add power and give us a Switch 2 pro.

Honestly, I don't fully believe they struggled with it. This was always the plan. That's because I gamed it out a long time ago and decided there was no other option. So did they, I suspect.

 

[YeulEmeralda]

 

[Cyberpunkd]

I mean some people are already whining about the price, they had to keep costs down somehow

It’s not about costs but their profit margins, which are - surprise - the highest in the industry

 

[Fbh]

"Do we go with the more expensive option or the cheaper option that also allows us to release an OLED model later on?"

Nintendo

 

[Deerock71]

For the double dip with the midgen refresh with OLED better battery and more storage, also corporate greed.

Nintendo is such greedy bastards!

 

[StereoVsn]

For the double dip with the midgen refresh with OLED better battery and more storage, also corporate greed.

$700 ($450 + tariffs + $100-$150) Switch OLED with 512GB storage and 50% larger battery. I can totally see this.

 

[March Climber]

Oh ya Im sure Nintendo cares about its fans, always looking out for them

The only fans they care about right now are the fans on the back of each Switch 2 dock, so that a lawsuit doesn't happen.

 

[BacklashWave534]

I mean some people are already whining about the price, they had to keep costs down somehow

Because they are passing the cost savings to us. Nintendo is the most anti-consumer company i have ever seen. They just want a higher profit margin.

 

[diffusionx]

 

[Hohenheim]

I don't reslly care about the screen on this thing. It's gonna be stuck under my TV 99% of the time.
I'll use my Steam Deck for handheld gaming, since I have a huge library there and it's way more comfortable to hold versus a Switch.

 

[StereoVsn]

Need to upload this into new film clip gen tools alongside picture of Nintendo CEO.

 

[Horseganador]

Due to pure stinginess on the part of Nintendo and then selling the OLED version again to its fan base, it's ridiculous that the OLED Switch looks better than the Switch 2.

 

[Kataploom]

I read somewhere they went with LCD because they couldn't calibrate HDR colors correctly in an OLED screen or something among those lines, when someone asked them about it in the event

 

[Kataploom]

BTW Nintendo, I'm waiting for the no-Screen version, that's the one I'd care the most about

 

[w00ze]

So much surrounding this launch has made the decision to wait for the inevitable oled version easy.

 

[damidu]

lol can already see the "game-changer, must-have" oled version youtube videos.

 

[tr1p1ex]

I wouldn't bet on another OLED upgrade. there are a lot of factors that went into that decision that may not be there the next time around.

That being said, improving the screen is ...is something they've done with most if not every refreshed version of their handhelds.

 

[Insane Metal]

Don't worry, they will consider releasing an OLED version in the future for a premium.

 

[chromhound]

Nintendo is the worst gaming company. They might make good games but they're a bunch of greedy assholes

 

[HerjansEagleFeeder]

The lot of consideration: "Do we give people what they want or do we cheap out like always and rake in the profits?"

 

[dotnotbot]

Sooo how many dimming zones?