The Nintendo Switch 2 already looks like a big upgrade over the original system, but Nintendo may still be holding back the screen many handheld players wanted most. A new industry report claims the company is reviewing plans for an OLED model, which would replace the current LCD panel with a display that could make portable play look richer and better.
Nintendo has not announced a Switch 2 OLED, so this is not something players should treat as confirmed. The report says the idea is still being considered, with product development possibly starting near the end of this year if Nintendo decides to move forward.
For players who mostly use Switch 2 on a TV, this would not be a huge change. For handheld players, though, an OLED screen could make darker scenes, bright colors, and colorful Nintendo games look much better on the console itself.
Nintendo made sure the Switch 2 launched with a high-quality display. The current model has a larger 7.9-inch LCD screen, Full HD resolution, HDR support, and up to 120 fps in compatible games, which is already a clear step up from the original Switch.
The first Switch OLED showed how much better Nintendo’s games could look with stronger contrast and deeper blacks, so some players were disappointed when Switch 2 arrived with LCD instead.
That choice likely helped Nintendo control the launch price while still improving resolution and smoothness. An OLED model would give the company a more premium option later without replacing the standard version right away.
A Switch 2 OLED would not improve game performance or make games run faster. The biggest change would be visual quality on the built-in screen, especially in games with dark areas, bright colors, or heavy atmosphere.
That could be important for Nintendo’s own games and third-party ports. A better screen can make a handheld feel more expensive, even when the rest of the hardware is mostly the same.
It would also make Switch 2 feel closer to other premium handheld devices. Players have become more used to OLED screens through phones, handheld PCs, and the original Switch OLED, so LCD now stands out more than it used to.
The reported timeline suggests that players may have to wait a while before the game is released. If Nintendo approves the model, mass production may not begin until late 2027 or early 2028, which means current Switch 2 owners should not expect a new version soon.
That timeline would make sense if Nintendo is planning a mid-generation update. Nintendo could let the current model build its audience first, then bring out an OLED version for players who waited or wanted a better handheld screen.
It also gives Nintendo more time to see how much demand there is for the current system. If the standard Switch 2 keeps selling strongly, the company has less reason to rush a more expensive model into stores.
An OLED screen sounds like a great upgrade, but the added cost makes the decision more difficult. The report points to panel pricing as one of the reasons Nintendo has not finalized the plan, and that is important for a system built for a wide audience.
Nintendo will need to be careful about the price difference between the two models. If an OLED model costs too much more than the standard Switch 2, the better screen may not feel worth it for families or casual buyers.
The company handled that balance well with the first Switch OLED. It offered a nicer screen without making players feel like the base model had become useless, and Switch 2 would need the same kind of approach.
A reported OLED model can easily make some players pause before buying the current Switch 2. That is why Nintendo will need clear timing if it ever announces the upgrade.
For now, the only confirmed Switch 2 is the LCD model already on shelves. It has a better screen than the original Switch, but it is not the OLED version some players hoped for at launch.
If Nintendo does move ahead, a Switch 2 OLED could become the obvious choice for handheld-first players. Until then, the upgrade is promising but unconfirmed, and the current model remains the only real option for anyone buying into Switch 2 today.
