Newly Discovered Details Point Toward Nintendo Switch Pro

More details about the heavily speculated Nintendo Switch Pro have surfaced online, seemingly confirming earlier claims that the upcoming hybrid gaming console would feature a bigger battery and an upgraded OLED screen.

Rumors and speculations about the Nintendo Switch Pro have intensified after well-known data miner and console hacker SciresM shared his recent discovery. Sifting through the latest Nintendo firmware, he reportedly uncovered new details about a newly revised system that seemingly points to new hardware. The information, which is available on ResetEra forums, reveals that the device has the codename Aula and apparently uses a Mariko SoC.

The device will reportedly use the same Tegra X+1 core processing just like the gen 2 Nintendo Switch and Switch Lite models but will integrate the RealTek chip that will introduce the 4k UHD multimedia support. The display of the rumored device will be OLED, which will improve black levels and color saturation and increase the viewing angle, the data miner revealed. He also mentioned that the device will have better cooling and battery life courtesy of the Mariko SoC.

The mention of 4K matches earlier rumors suggesting that a new Nintendo Switch could arrive in 2021 and would feature support for 4K graphics. The data miner also said that Aula is not docked only but supports the handheld mode. While these details are interesting, the source said that this information may not be accurate.

Rumors about a new Nintendo Switch device have been rife since late 2019. Nintendo keeps shooting down these rumors and insists that the company is more focused on releasing games on its hybrid console.

Several industry experts predicted earlier that the rumored Switch Pro could arrive this year. In a report released by GamesIndustry.biz, Piers Harding-Rolls of Ampere Analysis and Dr. Serkan Toto of Kantan Games said that Nintendo might release the new model in the first quarter of 2021.

Harding-Rolls noted that releasing a new Switch model this year would make commercial sense. He even said that he had included the rumored variant in his forecast. These analysts also predicted that Nintendo would outsell the PS5 and Xbox Series gaming consoles in 2021.