The Nintendo Switch 2: A Giant Leap for Portable Gaming?
Initial glimpses of the Nintendo Switch 2 reveal trailer confirm a larger console than its predecessor. The transition animation shows a significant size increase, suggesting a departure from the compact handhelds of the past and an embrace of larger portable devices like the Steam Deck and iPad.
While Nintendo hasn't released official dimensions, we can offer estimates based on the trailer and a recent leak. At CES 2025, we handled a Switch 2 mockup by peripheral designer Genki. The trailer's console closely resembles the mockup, making our CES measurements a likely accurate prediction.
Switch 2 Screen Size:
We estimate an 8-inch screen (diagonal measurement, excluding bezels), aligning with earlier 2024 rumors. This translates to approximately 177mm wide and 99mm tall. This represents a nearly 30% diagonal increase and a 66% larger area compared to the original Switch's 6.2-inch display. The Switch Lite's 5.5-inch screen is dwarfed by the Switch 2's 45% larger diagonal and 111% larger area. Even the Switch OLED's 7-inch display is smaller, with a 14% diagonal and 30% area difference.
The Switch 2's screen also surpasses the original Steam Deck's 7-inch display (though the Steam Deck has a taller 16:10 aspect ratio), and is 8% larger diagonally and 11% larger in area than the Steam Deck OLED's 7.4-inch screen.
Overall Console Size:
The larger screen necessitates a larger console. Our CES measurements of the Genki mockup, corroborated by trailer analysis, suggest a Switch 2 size of approximately 265mm long and 115mm tall. This is roughly 25% larger than the original Switch (239mm x 102mm), 61% larger than the Switch Lite (208mm x 91mm), and 12% smaller than the Steam Deck (298mm x 117mm). Depth appears similar to the original Switch.
Joy-Con Size:
The trailer hints at slightly taller, but similarly wide, Joy-Cons. Our estimations suggest 32mm wide and 115mm tall, a 13% increase over the originals.
Screen Unit Size:
Subtracting Joy-Con dimensions from the overall console size, we estimate the Switch 2 screen unit at 200mm long and 115mm tall, approximately 31% larger than the original. This allows for relatively slim bezels.
These measurements are estimations. However, based on the Genki mockup, we anticipate a console roughly 25% larger than the original Switch. Further details await official confirmation.
