The official Nintendo magazine in Japan has received a special Switch 2 issue to celebrate the console's upcoming launch.
An analysis of the Nintendo Switch 2 SoC has been conducted by YouTuber Geekerwan, offering a detailed benchmark of the console’s CPU and GPU.
The GPU in particular is very weak. It offers about 75% of the performance of the lowest Ampere-based RTX 3050M from 2020, and even compared to the already underwhelming and heavily criticized Ada Lovelace refresh, it falls behind by roughly 10%. In terms of relative performance, it sits somewhere between the PS4 and the Xbox Series S. It’s also important to note that it likely uses slower LPDDR5 memory, which further limits its bandwidth compared to traditional desktop or console setups, though in larger quantity.
On the CPU side, things are much better. It uses the Cortex-A78C, which is a slightly more powerful variant of the A78 core found in older flagship mobile SoCs like the Snapdragon 888 (used in devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S21). The difference here is that the A78C features larger cores designed for sustained workloads, meaning better performance, though at the cost of higher power consumption.
Even with DLSS doing much of the heavy lifting, there are already reports of relatively lightweight games like Street Fighter V running at native 540p. So, I wouldn’t bet on the Switch 2 keeping pace with next-gen titles. For the current generation, however, it should hold up reasonably well, though once again, that’s largely thanks to DLSS quite literally carrying the GPU on its back.
What’s curious is that Nintendo seems to have flipped the usual console design priorities. Instead of favoring GPU power and cutting corners on CPU performance, as we often see, they’ve gone the opposite route: the CPU is fairly decent for its class, but the GPU is noticeably weaker than expected. This tells me that they might be preparing for a mid-gen refresh, or more likely a V2 variant with a more efficient GPU down the line.
Pretty much spot on, the only thing I would say is that CPU performance took big leaps over the last 5 - 8 years, especially in mobile. So all the consoles were going to have HUGE upgrades there, and thankfully, so the increase in CPU performance isn’t a surprise to me at all.
I had a feeling it would be in the 4 / Pro range but not the Series S or even One X range.
Lot's of optimization and DLSS will help the Nintendo Switch 2 with longevity. Nintendo really never focused on graphics or fps anyway. It's not like they're competing against Sony and Microsoft when it comes to graphics
You say its weak, yet are parroting the same tired DF points, all of these are estimates of "close to baseline performance" Not representative of final output in the slightest. All these 2050 tests with starved ram and in the videos case (using A78AE instead of the Proper A78C which contrary to what some may say is not a simple label, but actually cut cpu performance in half) Of course this device wont compete and surpass a PS5, that wasn't the goal as to do that within the price range/power output would be ridiculous. But in mobile/portable sense, no matter what mobile chip its compared to, for the target need: sustained max performance (contrary to "bursts" for mobile)
This thing is a little monster. Which many will likely follow. More than the play on numbers PC/Nintendo haters (admit it you love to hate them) love to propagate, more telling is how 3rd parties are gravitating towards it (despite shitting all over past devices from Nintendo. It WONT beat/match a PS5, but please stop the "its Ps4" nonsense, don't embarras yourselves like DF is doing lately. Wait for final hardware/games/proper tests to judge.
I'll be getting one and my expectations were always around the PS4 pro region maybe with some vrr.
I think I'd prefer to be pleasantly surprised than disappointed
It's not running PS4 or Xbox series X games. Not even close. It has enough power to run Mario and Zelda and maybe GTA V on low low settings.
It'll run GTA v above what the PS4 version was have to remember that was a PS3 game running on the ps4 which itself had a mobile CPU which heavily impacted game frame rates
It will never run even the most cut down version of GTA vi but it could do rdr2
The odd bit is that the GPU although Ampere architecture actually follows the build design of the Lovelace 40 series so it’s definitely custom built specifically for the Switch.
This channel should be the new Digital Foundry. Just facts, no guessing, no lies, no bias, no annoying giggling. Let's wait for June 5 to confirm this.
Yeah the DF direct videos have led to some wild speculation I still love df retro but their core content leaves a lot to be desired
And they want $450. The PS5 digital was $400. Leave it to Nintendo to be Nintendo. No identity loss here.
Until Sony copies Nintendo again and launches a portable so everybody can come make excuses for why IT WILL be overpriced and why it cant reach PS5.
I can't really play my ps5 on a plane though so it's not really in the same league here it's more in line with ROG and steamdeck
Bungie announces "Destiny 2: Renegades," a Star Wars-inspired expansion releasing December 2, 2025. Full reveal on September 9.
Nintendo has announced its financial results for the full fiscal year, alongside an update to Nintendo Switch shipments and more data, including a prediction for Switch 2 hardware and software.
well, the switch 2 has two holidays in the us, thanksgiving and Christmas.
so id say its fairly possible. the rest of the world will also grab them
Do people buy each other games consoles for Thanksgiving? I’m in Europe and always assumed it was just Christmas where gifts were exchanged.
That time is often referred to as the start of the Xmas shopping season. For the last few years, retailers would do 'black Friday' deals at various times throughout the year. While many still prefer to start their shopping in the mid to late November, others will just buy when they feel the time (and prices) are right for them.
Switch and Switch are a different kettle of fish. A sell out at launch by the diehards, strong sales, then the non diehards will be put off by the £75 ($99) games, including the stupid download cards which are topping £65 ($85). Not rocket science to work out how the Switch 2 is going to pan out. The PS5 has sold well, but games at £70, sales have been low. As game sales drop, prices will rise. Sony could knock out all their games for £40 and still make a killing selling more games. There's no denying that a gaming crash is looming.
I agree, I don't see the Switch 2 selling anywhere near the numbers that these predictions suggest or what the general buzz is implying. While the initial sales will likely be strong, driven by diehard fans, I anticipate a gradual decline. It may not drop off immediately, but over time, sales will inevitably taper.
Not paying for something that's not worth more than the price it was advertised, which is $449 - $499.
