Nintendo Switch 2 display subject to harsh criticism in initial analysis

The Nintendo Switch 2 is here and promises significant upgrades compared to its direct predecessor, ranging from the much more powerful Nvidia Tegra T239 ARM chip, the significantly faster flash storage to the display, which has grown to a screen diagonal of 8 inches and reaches a frame rate of 120 Hz and a resolution of 1,920 x 1,080. According to Nintendo, the display can now run HDR content, while the variable frame rate (VRR) prevents image tearing when games are played at an unstable frame rate.

YouTube channel GamingTech has already been able to take a closer look at the Nintendo Switch 2 display and does not hold back in its criticism. The YouTuber measured a peak brightness of 422 nits, while black is displayed at 0.5 nits, resulting in a relatively low contrast ratio of 844:1. Due to the low brightness, a decent display of HDR is not possible: black looks more like a very dark gray, especially in dark rooms, which is a clear downgrade compared to the Nintendo Switch OLED.

With these brightness and contrast values, the Nintendo Switch 2 cannot even come close to matching the display of a modern smartphone. We already have a Nintendo Switch 2 in our editorial office and the display quality is generally acceptable: the LCD gives off vibrant colors and has strong viewing angle stability, while the higher resolution and frame rate result in a much sharper, smoother display compared to the previous model. However, the low brightness, combined with the highly reflective screen surface, may be problematic during the day in bright or sunny environments.