Rumours are heating up that Nintendo may unveil a successor to its popular Switch console later this year. According to a new prediction by Omdia analyst Hiroshi Hayase, the so-called "Nintendo Switch 2" could launch in 2024 with an 8-inch LCD screen, representing a sizable increase over the 6.2-inch and 7-inch displays found on the original Switch and Switch OLED models respectively. Hayase based his forecast on supply chain research focused on small and medium sized displays. He believes demand from Nintendo for larger screens suitable for a Switch successor will cause shipments of amusement displays to double next year. Neither Nintendo nor its partners have officially confirmed the existence of a Switch 2. However, Bloomberg has reported that Hayase is not alone in predicting an upgraded Nintendo console to hit shelves in 2024. Speculation around a new Nintendo platform has swirled for many months, with signs pointing to its unveiling this year. There are reports that Nintendo privately showcased the Switch 2 to developers at Gamescom 2023. Details on the Switch 2's technical specifications remain uncertain and conflicting. Some leaks point to a new Nvidia Tegra processor, while others expect Nintendo to use an 8nm chipset from Samsung rather than a 5nm node. The Switch 2 is expected to support 4K visuals and run at 60 frames per second, a significant boost over the original Switch's max 1080p resolution and 30 frames per second target. Breath of the Wild 2 and tech demos based on Unreal Engine 5 are rumoured to have already been tested on prototype Switch 2 developer hardware. Of course, fans eagerly awaiting the next generation of Nintendo gaming will have to wait for official word direct from Nintendo before getting too excited. But analysts clearly believe the company is poised to capitalise on the original Switch's success with new hardware in 2024.
