Nintendo hasn't confirmed whether Switch 2 will have an OLED screen

As of now, Nintendo has not announced the display type for Switch 2. The company has confirmed that a new console is coming, but has kept technical specifications private. Rumors suggest OLED is possible, but rumors are not the same as official information — Nintendo could choose OLED, stick with LCD, or use a different technology altogether.

What we do know is that the current Switch lineup includes both LCD and OLED models. The original Switch and Switch Lite use LCD screens. The Switch OLED model, released in 2021, uses an OLED display. Nintendo has shown it can manufacture both types at scale, so either choice is technically feasible for Switch 2.

Key Takeaways

  • Nintendo has not officially announced what display technology Switch 2 will use, so any claim about OLED is speculation.
  • The current Switch OLED model proves Nintendo can produce OLED screens in handheld form, but that does not mean the next console will use one.
  • OLED screens offer better contrast and colors than LCD, but cost more to manufacture and can develop image burn-in over years of heavy use.
  • If you are deciding whether to buy a current Switch model now or wait, the display choice alone is not a reason to delay — the real question is whether you want to play games now or later.

Why OLED rumors exist for Switch 2

The Switch OLED model sold well when it launched, and reviewers praised its screen quality. That success gives Nintendo a reason to include OLED in the next console. Leakers and industry analysts have suggested OLED is likely, partly because the technology has become cheaper to produce since 2021, and partly because competitors like the Steam Deck already offer OLED options.

But commercial success of one feature does not may provide it will appear in the next generation. Nintendo also has reasons to stick with LCD: it is cheaper, it does not suffer from burn-in, and it is more durable in the long term. The company balances screen quality against cost and longevity every time it designs a console.

The real differences between OLED and LCD screens

An OLED screen produces its own light from each pixel. That means blacks are truly black (the pixel turns off completely), and colors look more vivid. The contrast is sharper. If you have used a Switch OLED model, you noticed the screen looked brighter and more colorful than an LCD Switch.

An LCD screen uses a backlight behind a layer of liquid crystals. The backlight is always on, so blacks look dark gray rather than pure black. Colors are less vibrant. But LCD screens are cheaper to make, they do not develop burn-in, and they last longer without degradation.

For most games, the difference is noticeable but not game-changing. Handheld play is already a compromise compared to docked play on a TV. The screen size is small, and you are usually sitting close to it, so the visual gap between OLED and LCD matters less than it would on a 50-inch television.

What burn-in means and why it matters for handhelds

OLED screens can develop burn-in — a permanent ghost image that appears on the display after the same image has been shown in the same spot for many hours. If you play a game with a static HUD (heads-up display) for hundreds of hours, the HUD might leave a faint outline that stays visible even when you switch to a different game.

Burn-in is rare on Switch OLED models in normal use, but it does happen. Nintendo's warranty does not cover burn-in as a defect. If you play the same game with the same UI layout for 500+ hours, you are taking a small risk. If you rotate between different games, the risk is much lower.

LCD screens do not suffer from burn-in at all. They degrade in other ways — the backlight can dim over time, and the colors can shift — but a static image will not leave a permanent mark.

Cost and what it means for Switch 2's price

OLED screens cost more to manufacture than LCD screens. If Switch 2 uses OLED, Nintendo will either absorb the cost or pass it to you in the form of a higher launch price. The Switch OLED model launched at $349, compared to $299 for the standard Switch at the time. That $50 difference reflected the screen upgrade and some other improvements.

If Switch 2 uses OLED, expect the console to cost more than a hypothetical LCD version would. How much more depends on how much the OLED manufacturing cost has dropped since 2021. It has dropped, but not to zero.

What to do if you want to buy a Switch now

If you want to play Switch games now, buy a Switch now. Waiting for Switch 2 to be officially announced, manufactured, and released could mean waiting a year or more. The display type is not worth that delay if you have games you want to play today.

If you are choosing between the current Switch OLED and the Switch Lite, the OLED screen is worth the extra cost if you play handheld most of the time. The Lite is cheaper and more portable, but the OLED's screen quality is noticeably better. That choice is about your own use, not about what Switch 2 might have.

If you are waiting specifically to see what Switch 2 offers, that is a reasonable choice too — but understand that you are choosing to wait, and that wait will be months at minimum. Nintendo typically announces new hardware, then releases it within a few months. The company has not announced Switch 2 yet.

How Nintendo's past console releases can hint at the future

Nintendo does not always upgrade every component in a new generation. The Switch itself used an LCD screen, even though OLED technology existed in 2017. The company waited four years before offering an OLED option. That pattern suggests Nintendo prioritizes cost and reliability over cutting-edge specs.

The Switch Lite, released in 2019, was cheaper and smaller but used the same LCD screen as the original. Nintendo created options at different price points rather than upgrading everyone to the newest technology at once. Switch 2 could follow the same pattern: a base model with one screen type, and possibly a premium version with a different one.

Frequently Asked Questions

Should I wait for Switch 2 instead of buying a Switch now?

That depends on whether you want to play games now or later. If you have games you want to play today, waiting months for an unannounced console does not make sense. If you have no urgent reason to buy, waiting to see what Switch 2 offers is reasonable — just understand the wait will be substantial.

Will Switch 2 definitely be more expensive if it has OLED?

Not necessarily. OLED manufacturing costs have dropped since 2021. Nintendo might include OLED and keep the price the same, or it might use the cost savings to add other features. The company does not announce pricing until very close to release.

Can you get burn-in on a Switch OLED from normal play?

Burn-in is rare with normal play. It happens when the same static image stays on screen for hundreds of hours in the same spot. If you rotate between games, you are unlikely to see it. If you play one game with a fixed HUD for 500+ hours, the risk increases.

Is the Switch OLED screen worth buying now?

If you play handheld most of the time, yes — the screen is noticeably better than LCD. If you dock the console and play on a TV most of the time, the OLED screen matters less. The choice depends on how you actually use the console.

What if Switch 2 uses LCD instead of OLED?

Then you will know Nintendo chose durability and cost over screen quality. That would be consistent with how the company has made hardware choices in the past. The games themselves would be the same either way.