Nintendo Switch Pro could come out as early as September – report
The upgraded Nintendo Switch model could be announced ahead of the E3 conference this June.
This news comes by way of Bloomberg, which reported that the Kyoto-based tech company plans to begin production of its new Switch model as soon as July, with a target release date of September or October 2021.
Citing people familiar with the matter, the report said the new console may be unveiled before the E3 conference "to allow publishers to showcase their full range of Switch games at the global event."
Industry insider Emily Rogers also claimed that Bloomberg's report was "accurate," adding that an announcement about the new Nintendo Switch is "imminent" and could happen "sooner than we thought."
Yes, Bloomberg's report was accurate.
— Emily Rogers (@ArcadeGirl64) May 27, 2021
New screen, upgraded chips.
Aiming for Sept - Oct release.
An announcement is imminent. We might be getting news sooner than we thought.
Sources claimed that the new console, called the Nintendo Switch Pro, will likely be priced higher than the current $299 model. The upgraded console will reportedly be sold alongside the $199 Switch Lite while the standard model will be “phased out overtime.”
According to Bloomberg, the new console's more expensive price tag can be attributed to "pricier components and rising labor costs in China." Although final retail price has yet to be revealed, suppliers reportedly "expect their per-unit revenue from business with Nintendo to increase."
The report furthered that despite the ongoing chip shortages, suppliers are "confident they can fulfill Nintendo’s orders" as parts that the company is using "are subject to less competition than those in its rivals’ more powerful consoles."
However, the president of Nintendo previously warned of possible Nintendo Switch shortages this year as the components needed for the hybrid console continue to be in short supply.
The news outfit previously reported that the upgraded version of Nintendo Switch will feature a new chip from Nvidia that will allow the console to display games in 4K resolution when connected to a TV. The new console will also include a seven-inch 720p OLED screen from Samsung.