The rumored Nintendo Switch 2 Lite may feature a second generation Samsung 8LPU+ system-on-chip (SoC), according to new findings.
Samsung’s upcoming 8LPU+ manufacturing process may be a candidate for a smaller, more power-efficient chip designed for the rumored Nintendo Switch 2 Lite. According to the 72nd International Electron Devices Meeting (IEDM) 2026 website (via Nintendo Patents Watch on BlueSky), the company is scheduled to present its second-generation 8nm technology platform, 8LPU+, on December 14 in San Francisco. The technology is tailored for cost-effective automotive and robotics applications, with potential relevance to edge AI devices that must balance performance, power consumption and chip size.
In comparison to the previous 8LPU generation, the new process delivers a 12% performance improvement, a 15% reduction in power consumption and an 8% reduction in chip area. Integrating native 3.3V input/output devices also delivers approximately 10% less I/O area. Meanwhile, ultra-low-leakage SRAM and other device improvements aim to reduce standby power consumption.
These stats make 8LPU+ a good fit for compact gaming hardware, where thermal constraints, battery life and manufacturing costs are important considerations. A smaller, more efficient SoC may help Nintendo develop a more affordable handheld device without sacrificing too much performance.
The console maker’s existing relationship with GPU manufacturer NVIDIA makes it a possibility, especially of the Nintendo Switch 2 Lite requires a redesigned processor. However, moving to Samsung’s 8nm process would still depend on factors like the chip’s architecture, manufacturing requirements, performance targets and commercial arrangements.
Korean publication Electronic Times has cited an anonymous industry source suggesting that existing Samsung Foundry customers and fabless chipmakers pursuing automotive qualification are likely candidates for 8LPU+. The report doesn’t mention Nintendo or NVIDIA as customers for this particular process, however.
In related news, it was recently reported that the Nintendo Switch 2 firmware has been dumped, opening new possibilities for reverse engineering and emulation on PC. Read about it here.
