According to a report by Digital Foundry, Nintendo has officially unveiled the final hardware specifications for the Nintendo Switch 2, and the upgrades are substantial across the board. Compared to the original Switch launched in 2017, the upcoming hybrid console boasts significant advancements in CPU performance, GPU power, memory bandwidth, and system efficiency.
Set to release on June 5, 2025, with limited pre-orders already sold out, the Nintendo Switch 2 is positioned to offer a modern gaming experience that aligns more closely with current-gen expectations.
🔍 Key Differences: Switch vs Switch 2
The original Nintendo Switch used the Nvidia Tegra X1, a mobile-focused processor that struggled with modern games despite Nintendo’s top-tier first-party software. The Switch 2, in contrast, utilizes a custom-built Nvidia T239 chip, and it’s a game-changer.
🧠 CPU Upgrade
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Switch 2: 8x ARM Cortex A78C (64-bit), 998MHz–1.7GHz
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Switch 1: 4x ARM Cortex A57, 1020MHz–1.785GHz
The Switch 2 doubles the number of CPU cores and features more efficient architecture. It reserves 2 cores for the system and leaves 6 for games, enhancing multitasking and performance.
🎮 GPU & Graphics
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Architecture: Ampere (Switch 2) vs Maxwell (Switch 1)
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CUDA Cores: 1536 vs 256
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GPU Clock Speed: Up to 1.4GHz (Switch 2) vs 921MHz (Switch 1)
These specs translate to massively improved graphics capabilities, including DLSS support, better frame rates, and smoother gameplay even in demanding titles.
🧩 Memory & Bandwidth
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Memory Interface: 128-bit LPDDR5 vs 64-bit LPDDR4
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Bandwidth: Up to 102GB/s (docked) vs 25.6GB/s
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Available Game Memory: 9GB (Switch 2) vs 3.2GB
This results in faster loading, improved in-game textures, and support for more complex environments.
🧠 AI & System-Level Features
The Ampere GPU architecture allows the Switch 2 to leverage Nvidia’s AI technologies, including DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), making 4K visuals possible in docked mode despite the console’s compact form factor.
🗓 Launch Date & Availability
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Release Date: June 5, 2025
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Pre-Orders: Already sold out within minutes
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Expected Retail Price: $399 (Standard Model)
Nintendo is expected to offer a limited supply at launch, with wider availability in Q3 2025.
The Nintendo Switch 2 final specs make it clear: this is not a minor refresh but a serious step into next-gen performance for Nintendo. With a custom SoC, enhanced GPU, and dramatically improved memory architecture, the Switch 2 closes the gap with competitors like the PS5 and Xbox Series X while retaining its signature hybrid identity.