Report: New Nintendo Switch model planned for 2019

The Wall Street Journal has learned that Nintendo plans to release an updated version of the Nintendo Switch console in 2019. Such a revision could come as early as next summer, according to WSJ sources.

Details are still uncertain at the moment, but it seems one discussion about revision includes updating the Switch's portable screen to be brighter, lighter, and more energy efficient. However, the WSJ notes that Nintendo is unlikely to adopt modern OLED technology found in current smartphones.

Nintendo is still debating what new hardware and software features to include in the upgrade and weighing the cost of the features, people with knowledge of the discussions said.

One option is improving the display, they said. The current Switch uses a lower-end liquid-crystal display without some technologies that are standard in more recent smartphone LCDs.

Updating the display with these technologies would make it brighter, thinner and more energy-efficient. The updated Switch isn’t expected to adopt the organic light-emitting diode or OLED panels used in Apple Inc.’s iPhone X series.

With 3DS software output dwindling and long-time 3DS franchises like Etrian Odyssey seemingly teasing new releases on Switch, it will be interesting to follow how Nintendo handles their console/handheld hardware development going forward.

Nintendo has not commented on the rumor.