Recent insights suggest that Nintendo’s forthcoming gaming console, yet to be named, will be equipped with an 8-inch LCD screen and is slated for release before the year’s conclusion. This information was highlighted in a report by Bloomberg, although the official moniker for the device remains undisclosed.
Research Insights and Supply Chain Discussions
Omdia analyst Hiroshi Hayase, specializing in the analysis of small to medium-sized displays, has predicted a significant increase in “amusement displays” shipments in 2024, attributing this surge to Nintendo’s intensified production of its novel hybrid console. Hayase’s projections are grounded in his interactions with suppliers throughout the industry.
Comparisons and Market Positioning
Sharp’s confirmation last year of providing LCD screens for a new gaming console, coupled with its history of collaboration with Nintendo, points towards the latter’s involvement. The Switch 2’s 8-inch screen represents an expansion over its predecessors, positioning it among the larger portable gaming devices, akin to Valve’s Steam Deck and Asus’s ROG Ally, each boasting 7-inch displays.
While some enthusiasts may be underwhelmed by the LCD choice, cost considerations appear to have influenced Nintendo’s decision, mirroring the strategy employed with the original Switch. The possibility of a future premium OLED variant or even simultaneous release of two models—one with LCD and the other with OLED—cannot be discarded.
