After years of rumors and speculation, Nintendo has finally detailed the Switch 2. The new console comes with an upgraded processor developed by Nvidia, which Nintendo says enables gameplay at up to 4K at 60 frames per second (fps) in docked mode (contradicting previous rumors), or 1080p at up to 120 fps in handheld mode. The new console launches on June 5, and it comes with some significant upgrades compared to Nintendo's original handheld.

Nvidia is making the Switch 2 processor

DLSS support and hardware ray tracing on display

Nintendo hasn't shared a lot of technical details on the Switch 2 yet, short of the fact that the console has an enhanced processor and expanded system memory. The official specs simply list a "custom processor made by Nvidia." I've reached out to Nvidia to see if it can share any technical details on the chip, but it declined to comment on the technical details at this time.

There's a good chance the new Nvidia chip supports DLSS, however. That's been circulating as a rumor for months, and considering the performance targets of the Switch 2 -- 4K at 60 fps in docked mode and up to 1440p at 120 fps -- it's hard to imagine everything running natively. The original Nintendo Switch used the Tegra X1 from Nvidia, which was a few years out of date even when the console launched. This new chip looks purpose-built for the Nintendo Switch 2, but Nvidia hasn't confirmed that yet.

After the reveal, Switch 2 developers revealed in a roundtable interview that the chip supports DLSS and hardware ray tracing, according to Tom's Hardware.

Outside of the processor, Nintendo says the console comes with a dedicated audio processor to support its new Game Chat feature. This allows you to chat with friends while playing games, using a microphone built into the console. The processor helps eliminate background noise, even when the Switch 2 is docked. In addition, the console comes with 256GB of storage and two USB-C ports, allowing you to charge the handheld while also connecting an accessory.

The last big technical note is the microSD card slot. Just like the original console, the Switch 2 supports up to 2TB of additional storage with a microSD card, but it requires a microSD Express card. As Nintendo explains in a blog post, faster transfer speeds are required for Switch 2 games. That's fairly common with modern games across console and PC, with assets streaming into the game from high-speed storage.