Rumor: Nintendo Studying a Switch 2 OLED for 2027
ZDNET Korea claims Nintendo is studying an OLED version of the Switch 2, with a Full HD screen and production from 2027. Nothing is confirmed: treat it as a rumor.
The Nintendo Switch 2 has not even completed its first year on the market, and it is already the target of speculation about a future revision. According to a new rumor from South Korea, Nintendo is reportedly studying the launch of an OLED-screen version of the console — but before anyone gets excited, it is worth stressing: none of this has been confirmed by the company.
Where the rumor comes from
The information came from South Korean outlet ZDNET Korea, in a report by reporter Lee Ki-jong published on July 13, 2026. According to supply-chain sources the site spoke to, Nintendo is said to be "considering" fitting a rigid OLED panel to the Switch 2. The story was quickly picked up by specialized outlets such as Nintendo Life, Nintendo Everything and Notebookcheck.
The key word here is exactly that verb: considering. There is no announced production line, no date and, most importantly, no official statement from Nintendo. We are looking at a behind-the-scenes report from the display industry, not a confirmed launch.
What the report says
According to ZDNET Korea, the eventual model would bring concrete improvements over the first-generation OLED:
- Resolution: a jump from the HD (1280x720) of the Switch 1 OLED to Full HD (1920x1080).
- Supplier: Samsung Display would be responsible for the panels.
- Timeline: development could begin as early as late 2026, with mass production only in late 2027 or early 2028.
In other words, even if the project moves forward, a hypothetical Switch 2 OLED would only reach stores around 2027 or 2028 — nothing imminent.
Why to stay skeptical
There are technical and commercial reasons to be wary. The report itself admits that Nintendo has not made a final call because of cost: OLED panels remain more expensive than LCD ones, and the company has been trying precisely to cut manufacturing expenses. On top of that, the report cites the current memory pricing crisis as another factor pushing the decision further back.
"Nintendo is considering applying rigid OLED to the Switch 2, but has not yet confirmed the launch because of the price difference compared with LCD products," one of the sources told ZDNET Korea.
It is worth noting that ZDNET Korea itself recommends caution with the information, since the project is not finalized. Supply-chain rumors often describe internal studies that never see the light of day.
History plays in its favor — partly
For reference, the strategy would not be unprecedented. The original Nintendo Switch debuted in March 2017 and only got its OLED model in October 2021 — about four and a half years later. Repeating the recipe with the Switch 2, which arrived in 2025, would place an OLED revision around 2029, not 2027.
That is why the timeline suggested by the rumor would be even more aggressive than that of the previous console. This could indicate either a faster maturing of OLED technology or, simply, the enthusiasm of suppliers eager to land a contract.
What to do with this news
Nothing, for now — other than take note. A Switch 2 with a Full HD OLED screen sounds plausible and desirable, but plausibility is not confirmation. Until Nintendo takes the stage at a Direct, the "Switch 2 OLED" remains firmly in the "the company is thinking about it" category, not the "the company is building it" one. We treat it as a rumor, and you should too.