Rumors of a “premium” high-tier hardware option from Nintendo have been circling since last year. Borrowing the nomenclature used by Sony and Apple, leaks and rumors have been alleging that a Nintendo Switch “Pro” system is in development for 2021. Considering Nintendo’s experience with handheld hardware iterations (like the DS and 3DS) in the past, a more powerful Nintendo Switch console aligns with what the company has done in the past. Plus, with how well the standard and Lite Nintendo Switch have been selling, it makes perfect sense they’d want to cash in on fans/enthusiasts looking for a “premium” or “definitive” Switch gameplay experience.
Once the Nintendo Switch Lite came out, a much more powerful Nintendo Switch “Pro” seemed even more likely. Many figured that, alongside a standard and budget-friendly option, Nintendo would opt for a premium-like version of the Nintendo Switch for hardcore enthusiasts to opt-in for. Since then, rumors and leaks have detailed a beefed up version of Nintendo’s ever-popular handheld console: some tout 4K handheld performance, Bluetooth capability, with some reports claiming the new console does away with portability in favor of performance, while others refute those claims. Here’s all the major Nintendo Switch “Pro” rumors and leaks thus far.
Much like the PS5 and Xbox Series X, many of the alleged leaks of the Nintendo Switch Pro agree on one consensus: the console will output up to 4K resolution at a stable and/or high framerate. Bloomberg reported in late August that Nintendo was looking into 4K capability for a hardware refresh, though the technical specifications were not finalized. Beyond that is where many of the reported console specs begin to differ. Mainly, conflicting reports don’t agree on whether or not this higher-tier console will do away with the console’s portable form factor.
One sketchy report on 4chan in January (which has since been taken down) cited that this new Pro model was a TV-only console meant to complement the existing Nintendo Switch. More recently, a report from Taiwan’s Economic Daily News suggests the Switch will still remain portable alongside a suite of new hardware improvements. This Switch Pro would utilize Mini-LED display technology, something being implemented in the upcoming iPad Pro revision in 2021, which is a far better and more efficient display technology compared to the Switch’s current LCD.
Beyond that, multiple sources corroborate leaks and claims that the Switch Pro model will utilize Nvidia’s Tegra Xavier mobile processor and graphics units. Storage will still remain on the lower end, with 64 GB of internal memory instead of 32. Leaks also state numerous quality-of-life additions, like Bluetooth support, additional USB ports, higher quality audio output, and potentially exclusive Switch Pro game cartridges.
As for when to expect the next Nintendo Switch iteration, pretty much every source points out 2021. Bloomberg’s report cited that Nintendo had the desire to push out new hardware next year alongside a whole new slew of Nintendo games coming in 2021. Even though Nintendo has seen incredible success this year with Animal Crossing: New Horizons, the company may utilize the new Switch hardware to capitalize on its momentum throughout 2021. Kicking first-party releases up a notch for 2021, especially with a Nintendo Switch Pro console allegedly releasing in the same year, would be exactly what Nintendo needs.
Some sources earlier this year cited a 2020 holiday release to compete with Microsoft and Sony, but obviously that never came to be. That would also be extremely unrealistic considering how early in development it theoretically would’ve been. Leakers have also alleged an early 2021 release window for a Switch Pro, but assuming Bloomberg’s reporting is accurate, there’s no way technical specs of a new Switch Pro console (let alone manufacturing and distribution worldwide) would have been finalized in just a few months.
It’s much safer to assume a new Switch hardware upgrade is in the works for late 2021, especially considering the Covid-19 pandemic and how it’s affected the whole gaming industry. Plus, considering the theoretical release schedule of first-party Nintendo games in 2021, any new titles would be scheduled to release at the earliest end of next spring/early summer. Some have pointed to the Zelda 35th anniversary and Breath of the Wild 2 as a potential release date, but again that doesn’t seem likely. Either way, there has to be a Nintendo Switch Pro on the way in some form, considering the massive amount of rumors and leaks alleging it exists.
A new Nintendo Switch model is reportedly in development.
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