Leaked Nintendo Switch 2 Design by Case Manufacturer Reveals Larger Screen and Joy-Cons with Familiar Aesthetics

This past week has been buzzing with some pretty convincing leaks about the anticipated Nintendo Switch 2’s final design. The excitement reached a peak yesterday when Dbrand surprised everyone by releasing a full 3D render of what they claim to be the Nintendo Switch 2. Interestingly, this render includes their own version of the Dbrand Killswitch carrying case, typically revamped for handheld PCs but adapted here for the Switch 2. Dbrand’s CEO, Adam Ijaz, explained to The Verge that the company got its hands on the precise dimensions of the Switch 2 by scanning the actual device. According to him, when the Joy-Cons are attached, it’s roughly 270mm wide (200mm without), it stands 116mm tall, and has a thickness of 14mm.

The supposed Nintendo Switch 2 boasts an impressive 8-inch screen, surpassing the Switch OLED’s 7.2-inch and the original Switch’s 6.2-inch displays. There’s clearly been some thought put into usability, with an additional button—possibly a “capture” button—on the right Joy-Con. Its Joy-Cons snap on and off magnetically and feature a more pronounced curve. The console also packs top and bottom USB-C ports and flaunts a sturdy U-shaped kickstand, reminiscent of the improved stand that came with the Switch OLED model.

Looking ahead, it seems the launch could be just a few months away in the first quarter of 2025, indicating that the Switch 2 design has gone through some significant evolutions compared to the OLED model. Despite this progress, it appears that the console might skip on using an OLED screen; instead, rumors hint that its large 8-inch display is a 1080p IPS LCD, hopefully offering significantly better quality than the current LCD on the Switch.

In terms of the Dbrand Killswitch case, it’s interesting to see that its design for the Switch 2 skips the typical full-body enclosures that are a staple for cases designed for devices like the Steam Deck. Instead, this case is tailored with detachable Joy-Cons in mind, using a teal bungee cord to hold it all together securely. With Dbrand’s solid reputation in producing top-tier phone and handheld protective cases, the expectation is high for a successful final product.

However, for those of you eager to see a more unadulterated glimpse of the Nintendo Switch 2, we’ll need to wait a bit longer. The leaked specs from Dbrand do seem to align with a 3D-printed model shown by YouTube channel SwitchUp earlier this week, giving us at least a basic idea of what the final version might resemble.

With Dbrand’s major leak, it feels like an official announcement about the Switch 2’s release date could be right around the corner. Previous statements hinted at a 2024 release, and Nintendo has marked March 2025 as the cutoff for revealing the Switch 2 details. As that deadline draws close, manufacturers like Dbrand are revving up for what could be Nintendo’s next big thing in the world of handheld gaming consoles.