Reports: “4K” Nintendo Switch revision slated for 2021 launch

Enlarge / What exactly can we expect from a "4K"-grade Nintendo Switch? We doubt its built-in display will reach 3840x2160 resolution, but will it still maintain the system's popular "hybrid" nature of portability and TV compatibility? And will it get exclusive games? We're still left with questions after today's reports. (credit: Nintendo / Sam Machkovech)

An upgraded version of the Nintendo Switch console appears to finally be on the horizon. Multiple outlets have claimed that Nintendo's long-rumored plans for a higher-powered Switch are finally moving forward with an expected launch of sometime in 2021.

Reports from both Bloomberg and the Taipei outlet United Daily News allege that this system's specifications are currently in flux, according to sources familiar with Nintendo's plans. Bloomberg's late Monday report claims that Nintendo is considering upgrades like "more computing power and 4K high-definition graphics," and those details line up with a machine-translated version of UDN's report from earlier in the day.

Games? Portability?

Intriguingly, the UDN report points to an aggressive release schedule as early as "Q1 2021," with hardware production beginning by the end of 2020, but Bloomberg's report does not mention such a timeframe. Both reports mention a dearth of announced software for Nintendo Switch this holiday season, and Bloomberg reporter Takashi Mochizuki claims this is intentional on Nintendo's part, in order to bolster "launch" software for the upgraded Switch next year.

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