Recently, dataminers have discovered a reference to a new model of the Nintendo Switch hidden inside the firmware. Whether this model will be the upgraded console commonly referred to as the Nintendo Switch Pro by fans remains to be seen. However, there were a number of hardware enhancements that the new model seems to include and an OLED screen is one of them.
If the Nintendo Switch Pro utilizes OLED screens, it could be a big, beneficial hardware change to the console line. Not only will the display look much better, there are a number of other improvements such as a bigger battery life that goes along with it. Although these rumors should be taken with a grain of salt, the rumors of OLED screens on the new models of the Nintendo Switch should be an exciting prospect for fans.
The Datamined Information and Rumors
Since 2019, there have been a number of datamined leaks regarding a new model for the Nintendo Switch, while rumors have been floating around for a while now that the new model will feature a different display. Originally, fans speculated that the new Nintendo Switch display would be mini-LED because Nintendo had been reportedly visiting Innolux Corporation, a Taiwanese panel manufacturer. More of a hybrid option between LCD and OLED, mini-LED essentially provides more precise illumination on the pixels with backlighting.
Recently, however, there have been a number of leaks pointing towards the Nintendo Switch getting an OLED upgrade instead. While the leakers specified that there was no way to tell whether the new model of the Nintendo Switch would feature an OLED or mini-LED screen, it seems very likely that it'll feature a display upgrade of some sort. This should be exciting news for fans as it opens up the display capabilities of the Nintendo Switch by quite a bit.
OLED vs LCD
Right now, the current Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch Lite both utilize LCD screens with touchscreen and haptic feedback features. Every pixel on an LCD screen is illuminated by a backlight. However, OLED screens are a little different in that they don't depend on backlights and each pixel produces its own light instead. What this means is that brightness can be controlled on a per-pixel basis.
Although it sounds complicated, OLED screens essentially brighten the whites and darken the blacks, so images on OLED screens are more vibrant and have more contrast. Moreover, because the dim colors on an OLED screen use less power and black uses no power at all, it becomes a great way for devices to save battery. If the Nintendo Switch Pro has an OLED screen, not only will it look better in handheld mode, but it will also naturally save more battery while undocked.
However, OLED isn't a perfect technology and there are a few drawbacks; one of the biggest drawbacks of OLED screens is the price. Since OLED is still a relatively new technology, screens will be much more expensive than their LCD counterparts. This could pose a problem for Nintendo, a company that thrives on a comparatively low price point for their consoles. If the new model of the Nintendo Switch does feature an OLED screen, it'll likely be an upgraded console like the Nintendo Switch Pro rather than a hardware change for the original console.
4K Upscaled Resolution
As of right now, the Nintendo Switch and the Nintendo Switch Lite both support a resolution of 1280x720p. While there's no confirmation of the new OLED display changing that resolution, there have also been a number of rumors regarding 4K capability. The Nintendo Switch Pro will likely support 4K resolution in some form. Most likely, the Nintendo Switch Pro will be able to upscale to 4K resolution since native 4K seems like a stretch for the price point of the console.
The inclusion of an OLED display should also improve cooling on the Nintendo Switch Pro. In turn, this will make additions such as 4K upscaling more feasible for the console. There has also been speculation from dataminers that the Nintendo Switch Pro will be clocked at higher speeds in order to accommodate the new display as well as the improved features. If the Nintendo Switch Pro does include an OLED screen instead of a mini-LED one, it'll likely have a number of hardware improvements to go along with it.
If the Nintendo Switch Pro will upscale to a 4K resolution while docked, this could be a great enhancement for certain games. DLSS upscaling would be a fantastic addition to games like Xenoblade Chronicles 2 where the current dynamic resolution can sometimes downgrade the resolution noticeably. Of course, this is still pure speculation and it's likely that if 4K appears in some form on the Nintendo Switch Pro, it'll only be upscaling rather than rendering.
The Implications of an OLED Screen
While the datamined information doesn't specify whether the new model of the Nintendo Switch will feature an OLED or mini-LED screen, it seems very likely that it'll include a display upgrade of some sort. If the new model does indeed feature an OLED screen, it'll likely be in the form of an upgraded console like the rumored Nintendo Switch Pro.
While this means that the console itself will be more expensive, it also implies a number of features and improvements that will come along with it. Since an OLED screen will save power and offer better cooling, the Nintendo Switch Pro will likely include these features as well. Moreover, these improvements also enable the Nintendo Switch Pro to support 4K upscaled resolution if needed. There would likely be better clock speeds and an improvement to overall performance as a result.
As a result, the rumors of an OLED screen have a lot of implications for the potential Nintendo Switch Pro. If the new display screen in the datamined model is indeed an OLED, it will likely contain a number of hardware upgrades to go along with it. If the new display screen is a mini-LED however, it's more likely that the new model of the Nintendo Switch is simply an update to the original one. It's also important to note that these leaks have not been officially confirmed by Nintendo and as always, fans should remain cautiously optimistic about a potential Nintendo Switch Pro.
A new model of the Nintendo Switch is rumored to be in development.