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Nintendo announces Switch specs: 720p screen, 32GB of storage, and more

Nintendo announces Switch specs: 720p screen, 32GB of storage, and more

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Nintendo Switch

In addition to the wealth of news surrounding the Switch that Nintendo announced at its Tokyo event tonight, we finally got some concrete details on the hardware specifications of Nintendo’s latest console.

The Nintendo Switch device offers a 6.2-inch, 720p multitouch display that runs at a 1280 x 720 resolution when used in a handheld mode. When docked, the Switch is capable of outputting full 1080p visuals through an HDMI connection to an attached TV. Nintendo says that the Switch runs off a custom Nvidia Tegra processor, but hasn’t released more specific details.

Storage-wise, the Switch includes 32GB of onboard memory, which feels dramatically low in today’s age of 500GB and 1TB Xbox Ones and PS4s, especially with the modern focus on downloadable titles. However, storage can be expanded through the use of microSD cards. Games for the Switch will come on physical GameCards, which may help alleviate the console’s onboard storage space by offloading most of the storage requirements for each game to the individual GameCards.

Nintendo Switch

Nintendo is advertising between 2.5 and 6 hours of battery life for the Switch, depending on the graphical demands of the games being played. It’s hard to know exactly how that will translate on a game-by-game basis, but for reference, the company estimates around three hours of battery life while playing The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild. But unlike other portable Nintendo consoles, the Switch uses a standard USB-C connection, making it easy to recharge on the go.

Lastly, the Switch can connect to the internet through an 802.11ac Wi-Fi connection, with the ability to connect to up to eight Switch consoles at once for local multiplayer. Additionally, the Switch will be able to connect using Ethernet using a USB LAN adaptor with the dock.


The games and accessories for Nintendo's Switch