The long-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 has finally arrived, and early reports suggest that the console/handheld hybrid has a “very poor” LCD display.
One of YouTube’s most dedicated HDR analysis channels, GamingTech, has provided an in-depth look at the handheld’s HDR performance, and the verdict is disappointing across the board. For starters, the LCD display on the Nintendo Switch 2 offers what can only be described as sub-par HDR capabilities. As per the source, the screen’s maximum peak brightness comes in at just 450 nits, which is a far cry from what is needed for the feature to be impactful. Measurements taken by the YouTuber during gameplay sessions of The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Cyberpunk 2077 appear to confirm this limitation.
Not only does the cap of 450 nits restrict the dynamic range of highlights, but it also falls short of offering any meaningful improvement over the original Switch display. Even worse, the YouTuber mentioned that the Switch 2 LCD screen suffers from raised black levels, a result of the inherent backlighting technology used. The black floor sits at about 0.5 nits, which results in washed-out visuals, especially in dark environments. This makes it impossible to achieve the deep, inky blacks found in OLED panels.
The situation is said to be improved somewhat in docked mode, where the Switch 2 outputs through an external HDR-compatible display. In this configuration, the system supports proper HDR calibration, including peak brightness levels up to 1500 nits, as verified on an LG G4 with HGiG mode enabled. Games like Cyberpunk 2077 and Fast Fusion showcase vibrant specular highlights and decent HDR tone-mapping when docked, but the experience is said to be inconsistent. Titles like Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Metroid Prime still look flat and foggy, likely due to both artistic intent and the games’ lack of native HDR implementations.
Some games, such as Diablo IV, can even be played in “forced HDR” mode, mimicking Xbox’s Auto HDR feature. While results vary, the overall HDR experience is noticeably better on an OLED TV, further indicating the limitations of the handheld display.
While an OLED revision may be on the horizon, early Switch 2 adopters appear to be left with an HDR experience that feels half-baked and outdated.
