The mystery surrounding the Nintendo Switch 2 is starting to dissipate. Chinese prop makers are currently selling on Alibaba protective covers and screen protectors designed specifically for the future Nintendo console. These products would have been made from molds supplied by the Japanese manufacturer itself, a common practice in the industry to allow manufacturers to prepare their accessories before the official launch.
A console significantly more imposing than its predecessor
The dimensions revealed by these accessories confirm persistent rumors of a larger Switch 2. The carrying case measures 290 mm long by 135 mm high, measurements much larger than those of the original Switch (239 x 102 mm) and even the OLED model (242 mm wide). This increase in size suggests a more generous screen, thus meeting the expectations of players who demanded a more comfortable display surface.
Screen protectors for sale provide additional information. A comparative photo between the accessory intended for the current Switch and that of the Switch 2 shows not only a significant difference in size, but also the absence of a cutout for the brightness sensor. This change suggests a possible overhaul of the automatic brightness management system on the new model.
Leaks accelerating, Nintendo must react
These accessories don’t appear out of nowhere. Digital Foundry had already authenticated 3D plans of the Switch 2 which were circulating on the internet last September. Chinese manufacturers could have relied on these documents, but it is more likely that they had access to the real technical specifications. Nintendo usually shares this information with prop makers several months before the launch of a new console.
The proliferation of these leaks puts Nintendo in a delicate position. The Japanese manufacturer, which is not currently planning an official announcement to take place in 2024, risks seeing its communication strategy disrupted by these revelations from China. Other accessory makers are expected to follow suit in the coming weeks, potentially revealing even more details about the Switch 2.
A launch which is set for 2025
If Nintendo remains silent for the moment, the company has already confirmed that the Switch 2 would be presented before the end of the fiscal year, i.e. March 31, 2025. Analysts agree on a commercial launch which would take place after April 2025, but before the end of the calendar year. This release window corresponds to the traditional period for Nintendo console launches, making it possible to capitalize on the holiday period.
The early marketing of accessories in China demonstrates the progress of the Switch 2 project. Nintendo will quickly have to regain control of its communication to prevent leaks from dictating the narrative around its next console. Players are impatiently awaiting an official presentation which would finally confirm or deny the many rumors that have been circulating for months.
- Accessories for the Switch 2 are already on sale on Alibaba, revealing a larger console than the current one
- Manufacturers claim to have used official molds supplied by Nintendo
- The release of the console is planned for 2025, with an official presentation before March 2025
