Here’s what the external hardware design for the Nintendo Switch successor, dubbed Switch 2, may look like.
YouTuber SwitchUp was sent a 3D printed non-functional mockup version of the Nintendo Switch 2 from a case manufacturer in China, giving the content creator the opportunity to compare its design, size, and form factor with the original Switch console as well as the Steam deck.
Nintendo Switch 2 vs Switch OLED vs Steam Deck Comparison
Comparisons between the size and form factor of the Nintendo Switch 2 3D mockup, the Nintendo Switch OLED model, and the Steam Deck can be seen below.
Going by the above comparisons, the Nintendo Switch 2 has a notably larger display than both the Switch OLED and the Steam Deck. However, the console is bigger than the Switch OLED overall, and the Joy-Cons are also accordingly larger in scale. On the other hand, despite having a larger display, the Switch 2 3D mockup is smaller than the Steam Deck.
The distribution of a 3D mockup of the Nintendo Switch 2 to manufacturers of third-party accessories suggests that the console’s reveal as well as subsequent announcement are nearby. Another factor is the recent update to the original Switch operating system, which has added the product code for its successor’s cartridges to its copyright notice (via), as seen in the image below.
“BEE” is the product code prefix for Nintendo Switch 2-related components. Similarly, the prefix “HAC” is used in the case of the original Switch. As pointed out by Famiboards member LiC, the Switch 2 game cartridge being labeled as BEE-006 instead of BEE-008 (as seen with HAC-008 for the original Switch) could indicate that the previously unused slots i.e. BEE-004 and BEE-005, have now been assigned. As such, the product code sequence may be as follows:
- BEE-001: Console
- BEE-002: Adapter
- BEE-003: Console battery
- BEE-004: Joy-Con battery
- BEE-005: Dock
- BEE-006: Game card
The Famiboards member also mentioned HDMI cable will also need a product code. For the original Switch, it didn’t receive one because it reused the Wii U’s HDMI cable. With the Switch 2, this could change, as the cable would likely support the HDMI 2.1 standard, and would, therefore, take the BEE-007 or another subsequent slot.
