C. Scott Brown / Android Authority
It might be hard to fathom, but the Nintendo Switch is over four years old. Even at launch, the hybrid game console wasn’t a powerhouse. Since then, there have been tons of rumors that an updated version of the device, tentatively known as the Nintendo Switch Pro, may be on the way.
Connected: Nintendo Switch Buying Guide: Everything You Need To Know
To be honest, most of these rumors started years ago with no concrete evidence. In 2021, however, rumors have risen significantly until we’re confident that an improved switch will land this year.
Below you will find everything we know so far about what is known as the Nintendo Switch Pro. Make sure to bookmark this page so you can keep up to date with the latest rumors!
Name and date of publication
Nintendo is one of the most secret tech companies around. Hence, there is no concrete evidence that an updated switch is even on the move, let alone the name for this console.
However, we did see evidence that the device might be known as the Nintendo Switch Pro. A recent incorrect listing on the Mexican version of Amazon supports this claim. Interestingly, it’s explicitly referred to as the “New Nintendo Switch Pro” on this list. This coincides with the updated version of Nintendo 3DS, which landed as the new Nintendo 3DS. It is possible that the company will carry over this naming strategy to the switch line.
Connected: The best Nintendo Switch accessories, from controllers to cases and more
For the moment we’re sticking to the name “Pro” until we hear something else. As an aside, we’re almost certain this won’t be a Nintendo Switch 2. It would be an updated version of the existing console, not a new console in and of itself.
Rumor has it that the release date would hit stores in September or October – just in time for Christmas shoppers. However, it is likely that Nintendo will announce the device much earlier, possibly around E3 in June 2021. If so, we won’t have to wait long to find out all about this exciting new product!
Nintendo Switch Pro: design
Since this isn’t a Nintendo Switch 2, we don’t expect the device’s design to deviate too far from what we’ve already seen with the Vanilla Switch and Switch Lite. You can assume that the console is a tablet-sized display with a detachable Joy-Con attached to both sides. It should also have a dock for connecting the console to your TV.
Still, we expect a lot of improvements. For example, the display should be OLED instead of the current LCD. This would allow for better battery life as well as deeper blacks and better color contrast.
See also: The best Nintendo Switch skins you can buy
If the device really does end up as a Nintendo Switch Pro, it wouldn’t be unreasonable to expect some upgrades to the Joy-Con itself. There could be better building materials, bigger analog sticks, or even extra buttons. However, this is just speculation at this point.
There were rumors early on that the Switch Pro could be a TV-only console. This would make some sense, considering that the Switch Lite is only suitable for handhelds and the vanilla switch can switch back and forth. However, we haven’t seen any concrete evidence of this rumor and we will assume it is false until we hear otherwise.
Regardless, we expect the actual upgrades for this product to be under the hood. You can find more information about this in the next section!
Technical data and features
The only thing we keep hearing is that the Nintendo Switch Pro can support 4K in docked mode. This would be a nice upgrade over the current switch, which is locked to 1080p. However, we don’t know if the display will support 1080p in handheld mode or if it will maintain the 720p resolution of the current models.
How would Nintendo achieve this with such a small form factor? For one thing, we don’t expect an updated processor. Instead, Nintendo could simply overclock the current processor, a custom Nvidia Tegra X1 Plus. When you combine that overclocking with AI upscaling, it is entirely possible to get a 4K output. However, this wouldn’t be the true 4K we’ve seen with standalone consoles like the Sony PlayStation 5. Instead, it’s similar to what we saw with the PlayStation 4 Pro, which upscaled to native 1440p resolution using 4K for supported TVs.
We expect the Switch Pro to support 4K, but it probably won’t be a “true” 4K.
There are also simpler upgrades that could be offered. For one, the Nintendo Switch only has 32GB of internal storage, which is a tiny amount. The Nintendo Switch Pro could double that to 64GB or, even better, quadruple that to 128GB.
The bottom line is that rumors support the idea that the Switch Pro could be faster and produce higher quality images. It is very likely that it will have more storage space and possibly even longer battery life as well.
Nintendo Switch Pro: price and availability
Oliver Cragg / Android Authority
With a list price of $ 299, the Nintendo Switch is a steal when compared to other home consoles. The $ 199 Switch Lite is even more wallet-friendly. However, a Nintendo Switch Pro would always have to be more expensive than the Vanilla Switch.
So far, rumors suggest that Nintendo could charge $ 399 for an updated Switch. This is still hundreds of dollars cheaper than recent Sony and Microsoft home consoles – though those consoles far outperform even a pro-level switch.
Keep in mind that the vanilla counter is still so difficult to buy that it can easily be sold for $ 399. Nintendo could probably get away with setting the list price of a Pro model much higher, but we doubt the company would. Our money is $ 399.
The availability of the console is the real placeholder. With the ongoing global chip shortage still in full swing – so much so that it is difficult to get a four-year-old Switch on your own – we can expect a severe shortage of Switch Pro. It’s very likely that this will be the must-have gift for the holiday season, with lines around the block to try to snap one up.
That’s all we’ve got on the Nintendo Switch Pro so far! Don’t forget to bookmark this page as we will update it as new rumors emerge.
