Nintendo Switch 2: Release earlier and old Joy-Cons compatible?

The rumor mill about the Switch 2 is now picking up speed again. The console could possibly be released earlier than previously thought. And: Are old Joy-Cons still compatible despite the recent speculation?

After a number of previous speculations, the rumor mill decided some time ago based on information from anonymous sources that the Switch 2 would not be released until the beginning of 2025. Following this report, things became quieter about Nintendo's new console for weeks – but it is now back in the rumor mill.

After a new report recently stated that the Switch 2 would use a new magnetic mechanism to anchor the Joy-Con controllers to the screen, there are now further rumors from supplier circles – and they say that a release of the platform may still happen 2024 could be conceivable.

These new reports now have their origins in Business Korea, which, citing circles within the gaming industry, report that the Switch 2 could still be released “in the second half of this year at the earliest.” Supplier circles say that most of the agreements for production have already been finalized.

Accordingly, Samsung is expected to contribute a notable share of key components for the Switch 2. The South Korean technology giant is said to have secured corresponding supplier contracts with Nintendo, including with regard to the console's internal V-NAND memory and cartridge storage options. The display should also come from Samsung. Samsung had already supplied the OLED panels for the current Switch model, but rumor has it that the Switch 2 will return to an LCD panel for cost reasons. Otherwise, the switch successor should use an NVIDIA chip, which should combine an ARM A78C CPU cluster with eight cores with a graphics chip based on the Ampere architecture.

But that's not all, because there is a second report with supposedly new details about the console. This comes from what appears to be an accessories manufacturer Mobapad and is on it Bilibilipage appeared. According to the summary on the gaming forum ResetEra Despite the supposedly new magnetic mechanism of the new Joy-Cons, old Joy-Con controllers should still work with the Switch 2; The console's Bluetooth chip provides appropriate support. The new Joy-Cons are slightly larger and are actually said to have a magnetic connection. SL and SR buttons are now metallic and there should be a new button on the back of every Joy-Con.

Further information here: The cartridges of the first Switch should also continue to work thanks to backwards compatibility, but the new cartridges of the Switch 2 are designed differently and then, for example, do not fit into the first Switch. The dock will have a USB-C port and will support 4K image output. The screen for the portable functions will be larger and will be up to 8 inches. The resolution should be upgraded to 1080p.