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Nintendo eyeing OLED Switch 2 with Samsung display: report

Essential brief

Nintendo is reportedly exploring an OLED version of the Switch 2, with Samsung expected to supply the display. According to ZDNet Korea, manufacturing could start by the end of 2026, but Nintendo h

Key topics

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Key facts

Nintendo is exploring an OLED display option for the Switch 2, with Samsung as the likely supplier.

Manufacturing for an OLED Switch 2 could start by the end of 2026, with mass production in 2027.

No official confirmation or pricing details have been released yet.

Supply chain challenges and recent Switch 2 launch contribute to Nintendo's cautious approach.

Highlights

Nintendo is considering an OLED model for the Switch 2, according to ZDNet Korea sources.

Samsung provided the OLED panel for the original Switch and is expected to do so again.

The Switch 2 launched in June 2025, with only a battery-replacement revision officially announced so far.

Global chip shortages and hardware supply issues are impacting Nintendo's hardware plans.

A price increase for the base Switch 2 is planned for September 2026.

Why it matters

An OLED version of the Switch 2 could enhance the gaming experience with improved display quality, continuing Nintendo's trend of hardware upgrades. However, global supply chain issues and recent product launches suggest Nintendo is proceeding cautiously. The company's decisions will influence the handheld gaming market and set expectations for future console iterations.

Nintendo is reportedly evaluating an OLED model for its Switch 2 console, with Samsung likely to provide the display panel. This information comes from three sources cited by ZDNet Korea, which notes that while the company is exploring this option, no official commitment has been made. If Nintendo proceeds, manufacturing could begin late in 2026, aiming for mass production in 2027. The timing and pricing of such a model remain uncertain.

The consideration of an OLED Switch 2 follows the original Switch's lifecycle, which launched in March 2017 and received an OLED variant in October 2021. The Switch 2 itself debuted recently in June 2025, making it relatively early for a significant hardware revision. Currently, the only official update to the Switch 2 is a version with a replaceable battery designed for European markets to meet regional regulations.

Nintendo's cautious approach may be influenced by the ongoing global hardware crisis, which has caused chip shortages and increased component costs. These supply chain challenges likely impact the feasibility and timing of new hardware releases.

The base Switch 2 model remains the company's primary focus, with a planned price increase scheduled for September 2026. The potential OLED upgrade could offer improved display quality but details on specifications and pricing have yet to be disclosed.

Overall, Nintendo appears to be weighing the benefits of an OLED Switch 2 carefully, balancing innovation with market conditions and supply constraints. Consumers and industry watchers will need to wait for official announcements to understand the full scope of any new model.

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