Straight off the back of reports that Nintendo intends to launch not just one, but two new Nintendo Switch consoles in 2019, come fresh whispers from Japanese video games site Gamepedia that one of those consoles is not only set to land "early in 2019" but that it will also offer some serious hardware upgrades on the original system.
This upgraded new Nintendo Switch 2, which was first reported by Dutch tech site LetsGoDigital, is rumoured to come with 8GB of RAM (the original Switch just has 4GB), 128GB of internal storage space (compared to the original's 32GB) and, amazingly, 4K video playback functionality.
Right now the Nintendo Switch can only handle Full HD resolutions over HDMI in TV mode, and HD resolutions when in handheld mode, so the ability to play 4K video content, if not games at 4K, would be a major improvement and a feather in the new Nintendo Switch 2's cap. And especially so as there has been talk that the new console's screen will also be a brighter and thinner OLED panel.
Naturally, this new spec for an early 2019 Nintendo Switch console is far from official, and it is worth remembering what Nintendo of America President, Reggie Fils-Aime said in December of last year, that "the current execution of Nintendo Switch with the Joy-Con and all of the capabilities, that’s our focus right now".
However, there has been a pretty incessant flow of reports and rumours over the past six months saying that Nintendo was hard at work on a new Nintendo Switch, and many stem from insiders and analysts with top-tier connections and information access to the Kyoto-based game maker.
Plus, when you throw in the fact that sales of the original Nintendo Switch have reportedly slowed pretty fiercely over the past six months, it feels right to us here at T3.com that Nintendo would look to bolster sales so it could hit its financial targets this year with a brand new console launch.
One thing is for sure, though: a new Nintendo Switch console with specs and abilities similar to the one rumoured here would sure be a tantalising proposition for gamers, granting them the ability to play the Nintendo games they love with better performance and graphics and enjoy genuine UHD content, too.
Sign up to the T3 newsletter for smarter living straight to your inbox
Get all the latest news, reviews, deals and buying guides on gorgeous tech, home and active products from the T3 experts
Here's hoping we get to hear more about a new Nintendo Switch before E3 2019.
Lead image credit: LetsGoDigital
Rob has been writing about computing, gaming, mobile, home entertainment technology, toys (specifically Lego and board games), smart home and more for over 15 years. As the editor of PC Gamer, and former Deputy Editor for T3.com, you can find Rob's work in magazines, bookazines and online, as well as on podcasts and videos, too. Outside of his work Rob is passionate about motorbikes, skiing/snowboarding and team sports, with football and cricket his two favourites.
-
When is Black Friday 2024 – this Friday or next? Here's the official answer
Black Friday is on 29 November in 2024 – a week later than the year previous. But that's not stopped retailers putting on their sales...
By Mike Lowe Published
-
Forget Black Friday, F1 24 is completely free for a limited time
This top racing game has a free weekend
By Max Freeman-Mills Published