Looking Into the Switch 2’s Specs: Is It Worth the Price?

Marcus Aurelius - May 27, 2025

The Nintendo Switch 2 offers a significant performance boost over its predecessor, but it’s not a direct competitor to high-end consoles like the PS5 or Xbox Series X.

Nintendo Switch 2 is hitting the market with a hefty price tag, so let’s dive into its specs to see if the performance justifies the cost. It’s a big step up from the original Switch, but how does it stack up against other consoles and handhelds? Here’s the lowdown on what it’s packing.

Nintendo Switch 2 Specs

Switch 2 Etk

Processor and GPU

The Switch 2 runs on a custom Nvidia T239 processor, built on the Ampere architecture with 1536 CUDA cores. Its GPU hits 561 MHz in handheld mode and bumps up to 1007 MHz when docked, with a potential peak of 1.4 GHz. Digital Foundry pegs it at about 3.1 TFLOPs in docked mode, putting it in the same ballpark as a PS4 or Xbox One. It’s not quite as beefy as the Steam Deck in handheld mode, though, since it prioritizes power efficiency over raw grunt.

CPU

It’s got an 8-core ARM Cortex A7BC CPU, maxing out at 1.7 GHz but usually running at 1101 MHz handheld or 998 MHz docked. Two cores are tied up with the OS, so games get six cores to work with. It’s decent for a portable but might struggle with heavy-duty ports that lean hard on the CPU.

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Memory and Storage

The Switch 2 comes with 12GB of RAM (not officially confirmed but widely reported) and 256GB of UFS storage, a huge jump from the original’s 4GB RAM and 32GB storage. It also supports MicroSD Express cards for faster read speeds, up to 2TB, so you won’t be hurting for space.

Graphics and Features

The console brings some fancy tech to the table, like Nvidia’s DLSS upscaling, hardware-accelerated ray tracing, and Variable Refresh Rate (VRR) up to 120 Hz on its 7.9-inch 1080p LCD screen. When docked, it can push 4K at 60fps for certain games, though VRR doesn’t work over HDMI at launch. Nvidia claims the graphics are 10 times better than the original Switch, which is a big deal for a handheld.

Battery Life

With a 5220mAh battery, you’re looking at 2–6.5 hours of playtime, depending on the game. That’s about the same as the original Switch but shorter than the Switch OLED or Lite, since the new hardware chews through power faster.

Performance Context

The Switch 2 can handle big-name games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring, though they’ll look more like PS4 Pro versions than something you’d see on a PS5. It shines with first-party titles like Zelda: Breath of the Wild (Switch 2 Edition), delivering smoother performance and sharper visuals. Handheld mode takes a hit compared to docked, and stuff like GameChat might eat into system resources.

Verdict

The Switch 2 is a beast for a handheld, matching PS4 or Xbox One power when docked, with cool features like DLSS and ray tracing. It’s a massive upgrade from the original Switch but doesn’t quite keep up with modern consoles or even the Steam Deck in some cases. Its real strength is the hybrid design, slick software, and Nvidia’s custom tech, making it a solid pick for gaming on the go. For the price, it’s impressive, but don’t expect it to rival a PS5.