The gaming world has been buzzing with anticipation for Nintendo’s next-gen console, tentatively dubbed the Switch 2. While Nintendo has remained tight-lipped, a recent motherboard teardown has spilled the beans on some of the hardware’s most closely guarded secrets—and the details are thrilling.
A Peek Under the Hood
Tech sleuths over at X (formerly Twitter) have dismantled what appears to be a prototype Switch 2 motherboard, offering the clearest glimpse yet of the console’s upgraded internals. The analysis, led by reliable leaker Kurnalsalts, confirms long-standing rumors while introducing a few surprises.
At the heart of the system is a custom NVIDIA Tegra T239 processor, a significant leap from the original Switch’s Tegra X1. This chip, reportedly built on a 5nm process, promises better thermal efficiency and raw power, potentially enabling 4K gaming when docked. Paired with 16GB of LPDDR5 RAM (double the rumored 8GB), the console seems poised to handle modern AAA titles with ease—a stark upgrade from its predecessor’s 4GB LPDDR4.
Storage and Performance Upgrades
The teardown also revealed a shift to UFS 3.1 storage, replacing the aging eMMC technology in the original Switch. This means faster load times and smoother performance, particularly for large open-world games. While base storage remains unconfirmed, expandable storage via microSD cards appears intact, with support for higher-capacity formats.
Battery life concerns? Nintendo seems to be addressing them head-on. The motherboard hints at a larger 6,000mAh battery (up from 4,310mAh in the OLED model), paired with more efficient power management. For handheld gamers, this could translate to marathon sessions without constant charging.
Backward Compatibility Confirmed?
One of the biggest revelations is evidence of backward compatibility with original Switch cartridges. The motherboard includes a revised cartridge slot that supports both existing games and rumored higher-capacity cartridges for next-gen titles. This bridges the gap for loyal fans while welcoming new adopters.
What’s Next for the Switch 2?
While these specs are promising, questions linger. How will Nintendo balance performance with portability? Will the price reflect these upgrades? Industry insiders speculate a late 2024 release, possibly alongside a Zelda or Mario title to showcase the hardware.
Nintendo has yet to confirm these details, but the leak’s credibility is bolstered by the motherboard’s meticulous design—a hallmark of the company’s engineering. For now, gamers can dream of seamless Tears of the Kingdom gameplay at 60fps or Metroid Prime 4 in 4K.
Stay tuned for updates, and check out Kurnalsalts’ full teardown thread here for a deep dive into the hardware. The Switch era is far from over—it’s just leveling up. 🎮✨
Analyze Switch 2 Nvidia T239 SOC ing pic.twitter.com/DVOjucCePu
— Kurnal (@Kurnalsalts) April 21, 2025