Rumors of a Nintendo Switch Pro have been going on for several years now, but with 2020 now behind us, profitability around new tokens seems to be growing every day.
With the recently released PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S, it’s not unreasonable to think that the Nintendo Switch may have an update, even though it still sells well.
If we have confidence in the ongoing profitability, Nintendo’s next console could reveal some important hardware updates. With Nintendo America president Doug Bowser saying that the Nintendo Switch is only in the middle of its lifecycle, it makes sense that now is the best time for Nintendo to bring a basic version of the flagship out instead of including a special “Switch 2.”
Nintendo hasn’t announced or even confirmed that the Switch Pro console could be included, but with rumors going up, it’s worth considering anyway. Here’s everything we know about the Nintendo Switch Pro, including the specs, features and possible release date.
Latest Nintendo Switch Pro news
- In the latest interview with GamesIndustry.biz, a multitasker expected to see Nintendo Switch Pro sometime this year
- Nintendo was reportedly in talks with game developers over the ability to play their games in 4K resolution
- The latest leak from a well-known dataminer will reveal more details about the potential Nintendo Switch Pro, including an OLED display, 4K resolution support and improved battery life
Nintendo Switch Pro release date
Just a few months ago, the Nintendo Switch Pro was nothing more than a rumor. Today, we are seeing more and more industry experts backing up the possibility of the last updated Nintendo Switch coming to life this year. Gamesindustry.biz recently interviewed several analysts where they shared their sights for 2021. Most of the talk was about the Nintendo Switch Pro. Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games previously saw the famous Switch Lite, and this year gave us an equally inspiring prediction:
“I’m looking forward to a full-fledged 4K device coming through Nintendo’s next financial year,” he said.
Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis built on Dr. Toto’s thoughts by supporting the prospect of the 2021 Switch Pro release: “Last year I wasn’t sure there would be a new flagship Switch model in 2020 , but it makes more commercial sense to have an updated version in 2021. “
The original Nintendo Switch was released on March 3, 2017. With 2021 marking the Switch’s four-year anniversary, it’s entirely possible that we’ll see an updated console by the end of this year.
Price Nintendo Switch Pro
For obvious reasons, there is no official confirmation of what the Nintendo Switch Pro could go for. However, due to its updated hardware and improved performance, we can expect the basic version of the Switch to cost more than both the base model and the Lite. In an interview with Gamesindustry.biz, the game analyst Dr. Serkan Toto suggests that the Switch Pro cost around $ 399.
Specs Nintendo Switch Pro
Sources seem to offer different reports of the kind of specs we can expect to see in the Switch Pro. Most of them seem to agree that we tend to see support for 4K resolutions in docked mode, as well as better battery life.
Currently, the Nintendo Switch features a standard Nvidia Tegra X1 processor, a 720p LCD display and 32GB of storage. The latest update of the Nintendo Switch occurred in August 2019, which eliminated battery life, taking it from 6.5 hours to 9 hours of game time. When we test the update using Ultimate Smash Bros., we found that the amount of play time we could cover before the need for recycling was doubled.
According to a well-known data miner, @SciresM, details found in a recent firmware update for the Nintendo Switch seem to indicate that the Pro model will feature the same processor as the 2019 Switch base model and the Lite – the chipset Tegra X1 +. The leak found a project called “Aula”, which reveals that the chipset offers higher performance by being pushed to higher clock speeds with the help of an improved cooling system. SciresM also added that the console will receive a substantial visual update, with OLED display and 4K capabilities in docked mode, powered by a RealTek chip.
Report from Daily economic news in Taiwan claims that, instead of the OLED display, the Nintendo Switch Pro will feature Mini-LED technology as an affordable alternative. Mini-LED displays replace the backlights found in LCD screens with smaller and faster components, giving the display better aspect ratio and greater brightness control. Similarly, Mini-LED would still be a major improvement over the standard 720p LCD display found in the base model of Nintendo Switch.
However, some rumors seem to suggest that the Switch Pro may have some more controversial features as well. In post 4Chan now deleted (via Inverse), an Xhyll user said, according to a ‘former Nintendo employee’, that the Switch Pro will feature major hardware improvements, including a standard NVIDIA Tegra Xavier processor, 64GB SSD storage and 4K support. The obvious downside here is that the post also suggested that the new console as a TV-only system be aimed specifically at consumers who are in the market for a more traditional token experience. Considering that some Switch gamers spend most of their time in handheld mode, this seems unlikely. We cannot imagine that it would be a popular design choice with the consumers.
Features of Nintendo Switch Pro
Considering how successful the base model of Nintendo Switch and Lite both have seen in the past year, the Switch Pro may want to take advantage of that trend. Therefore, we believe that it is safe to assume that it will be possible to play the console in both docked and unlocked mode, as well as tabletop. However, we’ve seen suggestions that there will be some unexpected features in the Pro version that could go into the final design.
According to a recently patented filed by Nintendo, the company appears to be working on a health tracking engine that could be included in the Switch Pro. A translation of the 61-page document shows that a patented health controller in the patented device is similar to the ones you would find on smartphones, capable of monitoring your sleep, monitoring your energies and evaluating your your mental health. The weird thing is that the device seems to have a “smell generator” (yes, of course). So far, signs indicate that the Nintendo Switch Pro could include fitness tracking, apparently designed to work with health-related games such as Adventure Ring Fit.
What we want from the Nintendo Switch Pro
If the Nintendo Switch Pro makes its way to stores this year, we have high expectations. Here are the features we’d like to see making its way to the main console:
- Improved 1080p handset display: Considering the continuous rumor mill, there seems to be a show update. Currently, using the Switch in handset mode limits you to a 6.2-inch 720p display, so so many users would welcome a better visual experience when going forward (see, Nintendo).
- Sturdier quality construction: One of the reasons why some Switch owners prefer the Lite than the default model is because of the console’s hardness in handheld mode. With the Joy-Cons of the original Switch accessible, playback can feel a bit mobile, and this is something we’d like to see developed in the Pro version. A more ergonomic Joy-Con design would go a long way as well.
- 4K support in docked mode: The 4K token game community is growing by the day, and you can partially thank the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series for that. Unfortunately, comparisons with new-gen consoles won’t do the Switch any favors – Nintendo’s flagship console doesn’t provide the insights gamers want. As we discussed recently, the introduction of 4K support and a more powerful dock with higher resolution capabilities would greatly improve Nintendo’s offering.
- Bluetooth support for third-party facilities: Although the Switch currently features Bluetooth 4.1, this is reserved only for connecting Joy-Cons and Pro controllers wirelessly. This means, in order to connect resources like headphones, you need a adapter, which admits that you are weird.
Why we want the Nintendo Switch Pro
Where do you start? The Nintendo Switch has been a token release, and is backed by some of the most exciting games we’ve seen in the last four years, from The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and the Animal Cross ridiculously addictive: New Horizon. However, I think any fan of the console can agree that it is due to a hardware update, especially considering the attention Sony and Microsoft have received for their PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series releases recently launched.
As of right now, the main reason for buying Switch is, well, to play Nintendo games. As reported by many Reddit users, there are several third-party games such as Pillars of Eternity, Wasteland 2 and WWE 2K18 on the less powerful Switch ports. With crashes, bugs and frame crashes, at this point the Switch’s hardware isn’t just built to provide a good third-party copyright experience.
The Nintendo Switch is not expected to compete with the PS5 and Xbox Series X in terms of power in the first place. However, with a collection of new graphical application games Coming to PC and next-gen consoles in 2021, we’d like to see if a more powerful version of the Switch could pique the interest of third-party licensing fans.
Should I wait for Nintendo Switch Pro?
With the release of the Nintendo Switch Pro still an unconfirmed rumor, we see no reason why you should wait for a console that may be months away from launch. At this point, you have the option of becoming a proud owner of the Nintendo Switch or Switch Lite consoles. We’ve reviewed both before and have prepared a summary of the best games to make your choice more informative. We’ll keep you posted on any upcoming calls from Nintendo.