Nintendo has a long history of keeping their handheld lines technologically up-to-date through a series of incremental upgrades before eventually moving on to a completely new platform. For just one example, look at how the DS begat the DS Lite, DSi, and DSi XL between the handheld’s debut in 2004 and the 2011 launch of the 3DS.
So it’s been widely assumed by fans that the consolemaker will release an upgraded and enhanced version of the Switch at some point. And according to a recent report from the Wall Street Journal, it could happen as early as Summer 2019.
Citing statements from “suppliers and others with direct knowledge of the plan,” the Wall Street Journal believes that Nintendo might be looking to engineer a better screen for the Switch, which would also increase battery life:
Nintendo is still debating what new hardware and software features to include in the upgrade and weighing the cost of the features, people with knowledge of the discussions said.
One option is improving the display, they said. The current Switch uses a lower-end liquid-crystal display without some technologies that are standard in more recent smartphone LCDs.
Updating the display with these technologies would make it brighter, thinner and more energy-efficient.
The Wall Street Journal’s sources also expect any upgraded version of the Switch to be compatible with all current Switch software. Nintendo declined to comment about any of their suppositions.
While still technically a rumor, I’m sure most Nintendo fans would be absolutely shocked if an upgraded Switch console failed to materialize. The only real question about this report is if the 2019 launch date is accurate.
