Nintendo Switch 2: 4K Realistic? [Updated]

Update 5/14/25: Digital Foundry has disclosed the complete specifications of the Nintendo Switch SoC, confirming earlier rumors about the Tegra T239's CUDA core count. While we now understand much about the console's capabilities ahead of its June launch, actual game performance remains to be seen. Early indicators appear promising.

Original article:

The Nintendo Switch 2 has officially debuted, bringing substantial upgrades over its predecessor though entering a transformed handheld market. Unlike its predecessor's isolated position, it now competes with devices like the Steam Deck and Asus ROG Ally X, which deliver AAA PC gaming experiences portably.

While the Switch 2 maintains its exclusive appeal through Nintendo titles like Mario Kart World, its $449 price point creates tough comparisons with rival devices for multiplatform gamers.

Nintendo's hardware reveal offers our first real insight into performance capabilities - particularly regarding its ambitious 4K claims.

Nvidia's Custom Chip

The heart of Nintendo Switch 2 lies in its custom Nvidia Tegra T239 SoC featuring DLSS and ray tracing support. Digital Foundry confirms this APU combines an 8-core ARM CPU with an Ampere GPU containing 1,536 CUDA cores - equivalent to 12 Streaming Multiprocessors.

While based on the same architecture as RTX 3080, expectations should match mobile RTX 3050 performance at best. Each SM contains four Tensor Cores and one RT Core, totaling 48 and 12 respectively.

Compared to Steam Deck's AMD APU with 8 RDNA 2 cores, Nintendo's solution appears stronger on paper. However, upcoming AMD Z2 Extreme with 16 RDNA 3.5 cores will outperform Switch 2 hardware (at significantly higher prices).

Nintendo Switch 2 Direct April 2025 Games

Every game showcased during Nintendo's April Switch 2 reveal event:

[Additional game images/figcaptions preserved unchanged...]

The Tegra T239's modest GPU makes native 4K unlikely outside light games. Most titles will target 1080p (native or upscaled), leaning heavily on DLSS for docked mode performance.

Ray tracing capability exists through the 12 RT cores, but implementations will be conservative given power constraints. Digital Foundry estimates total system power at ~10W (just 5-6W allocated to SoC), significantly less than Steam Deck.

Performance Details

Confirmed specifications reveal:

• GPU clocks: 1,007MHz docked / 561MHz handheld
• CPU clocks: 1,101MHz handheld / 998MHz docked
• Memory: 12GB LPDDR5 (102GB/s docked, 68GB/s handheld)

Despite hardware limitations, Nintendo's first-party titles like Mario Kart World demonstrate impressive optimization. Compared to Switch's Maxwell-based Tegra X1 (256 CUDA cores), Switch 2's Ampere architecture represents massive efficiency gains.

Battery Life

The 5,220mAh battery (estimated 19Whr) provides minimum 2-hour runtime - shorter than original Switch due to higher performance demands. While smaller than Steam Deck's battery, Nintendo prioritized maintaining Switch's slim profile.

The Display

Switch 2's 7.9-inch LCD (1920x1080) offers marked improvements:

• HDR10 support (minimum 1,000 nits peak brightness)
• Wide Color Gamut
• 120Hz VRR capability

This significantly outperforms Steam Deck's 800p LCD and original Switch's 720p display.

Upgrade Considerations

The Switch 2 delivers substantial upgrades over its predecessor - better performance, improved display, and enhanced controllers. However, in today's competitive handheld market, its strongest appeal remains Nintendo's exclusive software lineup.

For multiplatform gaming, higher-priced alternatives often provide superior experiences. But Nintendo fans craving Mario Kart World and Zelda titles will find Switch 2 delivers exactly what they expect.