Okay, this ZDNET Korea report about Samsung and a Switch 2 OLED is making waves, and it’s complicated, you know, like everything in this industry. So, Nintendo is looking at an OLED version of the Switch 2, and Samsung Display is really pushing to supply those panels. The thing is, this isn’t a done deal yet, not at all. Nintendo is still evaluating if it even makes financial sense, because the cost difference between OLED and LCD panels is a big factor, and component prices are already high. They’re talking about a Full HD 1920x1080 resolution for this potential OLED model, which would be an upgrade from the original Switch OLED’s 1280x720.
But the current Switch 2 already has a 1080p LCD, so it’s more about visual fidelity than a resolution bump for the new console. An OLED display would offer superior contrast, deeper blacks, and more vibrant colors, significantly enhancing the portable gaming experience. If Nintendo does greenlight this OLED Switch 2, development could start late this year, and mass production might not even begin until late 2027 or early 2028. That means we’re looking at an early 2028 market launch, maybe. This isn’t some immediate thing, but rather a strategic long-term consideration for Nintendo’s hardware roadmap. Samsung Display, they’re a huge player, they hold over 50 percent of the global small-to-medium OLED market share.
They’re planning to increase production of these small and mid-sized OLED panels by 10 percent in 2025, aiming for 475.6 million units, up from 432.2 million in 2024. This push is partly because the smartphone market is slowing down, and they’re looking for new revenue streams, like tablets and foldable displays, and gaming handhelds. Securing a contract with Nintendo would be a significant win for Samsung. Nintendo has a history of staggered releases, like the original Switch in 2017, then the Lite in 2019, and the OLED in 2021. So, an OLED Switch 2 a couple of years after the LCD Switch 2 would fit their pattern, it makes sense for extending the hardware lifecycle.
The current Switch 2 launched in June 2025 with over 25 games. This strategy helps maintain consumer interest over a longer period. The original Switch family has sold a lot, like 150.86 million units by December 31, 2024. The OLED model alone accounted for 29.41 million units by that time, which is about 19.5 percent of the total. That shows there’s a market for the premium display, even if it’s not the majority.
Hardware sales for the Switch did decline by 30.6 percent year-on-year for the nine months ending December 2024, totaling 9.54 million units. Nintendo even lowered its annual forecast to 11 million units for the fiscal year ending March 2025. So, a new model, an upgraded one, could definitely help revitalize sales. This whole OLED Switch 2 thing, it’s not just about the screen. There’s a memory crisis going on, affecting manufacturing costs for the Switch 2, and that’s already pushed the price up by about $50 depending on the configuration.
So, adding an even more expensive OLED panel, that’s a tough call for Nintendo. They have to decide if they absorb the cost or pass it on to consumers, and how much can consumers really take? The global shortage of memory chips adds another layer of complexity to pricing. Nintendo’s next earnings release is expected on August 6, 2026, or August 7, 2026. That’s when we might get more official hints, or maybe just more silence, you know how they are.
They’ve been pretty tight-lipped about the Switch 2 itself. But the market is always looking for the next big thing, and a 1080p OLED Switch 2, even if it’s a couple of years out, that’s a compelling upgrade. It’s about maintaining that premium experience and keeping the platform fresh, especially with competition from other handhelds, and the current Switch 2 already having a 1080p LCD. It’s a balancing act, always.