The Switch 2 handheld console, which Nintendo released in 2025 and made a big impact in the gaming world, continues to occupy the agenda with brand new hardware leaks.

The company is preparing to introduce an updated Switch 2 model with a replaceable battery to users this fall, in order to comply with the European Union’s new laws aimed at reducing electronic waste.

However, the real excitement is around the new OLED version that the Japanese technology giant plans to launch in the future. According to reports from ZDNet Korea, Nintendo is intensifying its internal evaluations for a new Switch 2 model with a rigid OLED panel with Full HD (1920 x 1080) resolution.

However, high production costs, which have deeply shaken the entire technology branch, are hindering this giant hardware leap for now.

Samsung Display is Activated for New Screen Technology

While the screen resolution in the original first-generation Switch model remained locked at 720p HD, the Switch 2 model released in 2025 manages to overcome this limit with a quality LCD panel with 1080p FHD resolution.

Wanting to meet users’ expectations for deeper blacks, perfect contrast ratios and more vibrant colors, Nintendo definitely plans to add an OLED version to the series. According to leaks, South Korean technology giant Samsung Display is already lining up to supply the display panels of the new version, as in the first generation Switch OLED model.

Rigid OLED panels produced by Samsung not only increase visual quality, but also directly contribute to the battery performance of the portable console, thanks to the ability of the pixels to turn off their own light.

Rising Semiconductor Costs and Memory Crisis Challenge Plans

The main reason behind Nintendo’s failure to launch the OLED model without delay is the economic fluctuations in the global supply chain. The significant price difference between standard LCD panels and OLED panels inevitably raises the sticker price of the device that will reach the end consumer.

In addition, the costs of critical memory components such as NAND Flash and DRAM, which are rapidly climbing in the technology industry, and the general increases in semiconductor prices make hardware upgrades a very financially strong decision.

Nintendo follow executives a very subtle and sensitive strategy to ensure that production costs do not increase console prices to unattainable levels, while providing players with the best user experience.

Nintendo’s Traditional Long-Term Exit Strategy

When we look closely at the gaming giant’s past hardware calendar, it is clear that it follows a very rational and gradual roadmap to extend the life cycle of consoles. The original Switch was first released with a standard LCD screen in 2017, and this cycle is completed with the portable-oriented Switch Lite in 2019 and the Switch OLED model, which takes the screen quality to the top in 2021.

Following the standard Switch 2 released in 2025 and the new version with a replaceable battery that will arrive in the fall of 2026 (in line with EU standards), the release of a Switch 2 OLED model in the last months of 2027 or early 2028 is in line with the company’s classic hardware strategy.

If the decision is officially approved, the company is preparing to provide game lovers with a perfect portable console experience by accelerating its R&D efforts towards the end of this year.