The unveiling of the Nintendo Switch 2 through its announcement trailer kicks off with a striking transformation, showcasing a console that's noticeably larger than its predecessor. The original Switch's Joy-Con controllers detach, and the central tablet section expands into a significantly bigger form, indicating Nintendo's shift towards larger portable gaming devices, aligning with the trend set by gadgets like the Steam Deck and iPad.
While Nintendo has not yet released the official dimensions of the Switch 2, we can make educated guesses based on the trailer and insights from a recent leak. At CES 2025, we had the opportunity to interact with a Switch 2 mock-up designed by Genki. Initially, the accuracy of this design was uncertain, but the details in Nintendo’s trailer closely match the mock-up, suggesting our measurements are a reliable estimate of the final product.
Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Size
Our analysis suggests that the Switch 2 boasts an 8-inch screen. This measurement refers to the diagonal size of the display, excluding the bezels. This aligns with early 2024 rumors and indicates the display dimensions might be approximately 177mm wide and 99mm tall.
If our estimates hold true, the Switch 2's screen will be nearly 30% larger diagonally than the original Switch’s 6.2-inch LCD, and 66% larger in total area. This substantial upgrade could enhance the gaming experience, provided the display technology matches the larger size.
In comparison to other handhelds, the Switch 2's screen dwarfs the Switch Lite's 5.5-inch LCD by 45% diagonally and 111% in area. Against the Switch OLED’s 7-inch screen, the Switch 2 will be 14% larger diagonally and 30% larger in total area.
In the context of portable PCs like the Steam Deck, which features a 7-inch screen with a 16:10 aspect ratio, the Switch 2's 8-inch display will be 8% larger diagonally and 11% larger in area than the Steam Deck OLED's 7.4-inch screen.
Nintendo Switch 2 Overall Console Size
The larger screen necessitates a bigger console overall. The original Switch already required spacious pockets, and the Switch 2 will likely fit only in cargo pants or a bag. Measurements taken from the Genki mock-up at CES suggest the Switch 2 is about 265mm long and 115mm tall, including the Joy-Cons.
Compared to the original Switch, which measures 239mm long and 102mm tall, the Switch 2 would be approximately 25% larger. It's also 61% larger than the Switch Lite (208mm x 91mm) and about 12% smaller than the Steam Deck (298mm x 117mm).
While we couldn’t measure the depth precisely, the Switch 2 appears to maintain a similar half-inch thickness to its predecessor, meaning the increase in size is primarily in its footprint.
Nintendo Switch 2 Joy-Con Size
The trailer's transformation animation indicates that the Joy-Con controllers on the Switch 2 will retain a similar width but grow taller. Our analysis suggests the new Switch 2 Joy-Cons will be around 32mm wide and 115mm tall, maintaining the same width as the original but increasing in height by 13mm to fit the larger console. This makes the new Joy-Con approximately 13% larger than the original.
Nintendo Switch 2 Screen Unit Size
Subtracting the Joy-Con dimensions from the overall console size, we estimate the Switch 2 screen unit to be 200mm long and 115mm tall, which is around 31% larger than the original Switch. This size accommodates the 8-inch 16:9 screen, with an approximate bezel of 11mm on the sides and 8mm on the top and bottom.
Keep in mind, these are estimated measurements and may not align exactly with Nintendo's final product. However, based on our hands-on experience with the Genki mock-up, we believe these figures provide a solid approximation. We look forward to confirming these details when we get hands-on with the actual console later this year.
For more insights, explore the 30 details from the Switch 2 announcement trailer, and delve into our theories on the console’s potential mouse-like capabilities and the implications of its additional USB-C port.
