Sharp is Making LCD Displays for a New Console as Switch 2 Speculation Ramps Up - News
by William D'Angelo , posted on 02 June 2023 / 6,600 Views
Sharp CEO Robert Wu in an earnings call with investors revealed the company has been working with an unnamed company in the research and development phase of a new gaming console.
Sharp plans to launch pilot LCD-panel production lines this fiscal year for this new console.
"I can't comment on any details regarding specific customers. But as to a new gaming console, we’ve been involved in its R&D stage," said Wu (via Bloomberg).
Sharp has since deleted the slides mentioning the new console from its online presentation. Speculation is this is for next Nintendo console, a company that Sharp has worked with before.
The Nintendo Switch launched in March 2017 and has shipped 125.62 million units as of March 2023. Nintendo forecasts to ship 15 million Switch units in the current fiscal year, ending March 31, 2024.
UBS Securities analyst Kenji Fukuyama has stated a Switch successor isn't expected for at least another 12 months.
A life-long and avid gamer, William D'Angelo was first introduced to VGChartz in 2007. After years of supporting the site, he was brought on in 2010 as a junior analyst, working his way up to lead analyst in 2012 and taking over the hardware estimates in 2017. He has expanded his involvement in the gaming community by producing content on his own YouTube channel and Twitch channel. You can contact the author on Twitter @TrunksWD.
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Makes no sense to go back to LCD after Switch OLED released 2 years ago.
I wonder if Nintendo will offer a LCD/LED model as the base model and a OLED model at a higher price for those who really want it.
They may be going with LCD and OLED Switch 2 SKU's
Even high-end TV manufacturers are still working on developing improved LCD displays using tech like Mini LED and Micro LED. OLED isn't without its issues, such as cost, dead pixels, and screen burn-in, that LCD is much less vulnerable to. Plus, LCD/LED is capable of producing brighter displays than OLED is.
And for what it's worth, Steam Deck doesn't offer a OLED screen, because it would cost more. Nintendo wants to be able to sell Switch 2 at a mass market price, which means they have to be cost conscious.
miniLED is basically dead outside of chinese manufacturers. the only place left for lcd technology to go just puts them in the same price brackets as the most expensive oleds which isn't what you want. LG sony and samsung are pretty much abondoning it. miniLED is its own entirely seperate technology and at least a decade away from mass production.
OLEDs are more practical from a cost perspective than they were in late 2011 with the Vita's 960x544 5-inch OLED screen.
Switch 2's screen will almost surely be 7 inches, since the Switch OLED and Steam Deck both have 7-inch screens.
This Is Nintendo we're talking about, so I see them going with a cheaper LCD screen. OLED might become an option for Switch 2 at some point, though.
I don't think Switch 2 will be stuck at 1280x720, but I don't think it's a given that it will be 1920x1080. It will probably be 1600x900.
LCD - Boo
It does make some sense, but considering there have been a ramp in models capable of portability on PC hardware it could be something totally related to that and not Switch.
Since it's Sharp, it most likely is Nintendo-related.
Ok, thanks.
It 's for the the new PS portable 😊😁
Well, whatever it is, I hope Nintendo hurries and releases this thing. My Switch's fan gave out like two years ago, and I can't play much of anything anymore aside from Animal Crossing in handheld mode. And knowing that a new console was around the corner, I just couldn't justify the cost of repair or a replacement console, so it's onto their next system for me...
... unless no backwards compatibility.
So they started mass production of screens for a switch 2? This begs the question... when is the Switch 2 comeing?
Sharp was already supposed to make screens for the Switch since 2019 according to leaks
If they really are downgrading back to LCD for next gen that makes me think they wanna target a low $300 price. Cuz if they are making that sort of cut I'm guessing they are making other decisions to get close to a $300 price. Some people predicting $400, no way that's happening if they aren't even doing OLED. I was thinking $350 but if these are the sorts of decisions they are making we could see it launch at $300 or close to that.
All for LCDs as a cheaper option for those who don't care as much about the visuals, or plan on primarily playing in docked mode. But it would be hard to go back.
Wouldn't be surprised if it was for Switch 2. Best way to gain footing is to start with the lowest cost possible.
There are more PC handhelds coming into the market these days so makes me wonder if its for one of those.
After picking up the OLED switch I'm not sure I could go back.
I kind of hope this Sharp LCD screen is for a Steam Deck 2 and not Switch 2. I want that OLED
Valve have already said a Steam Deck 2 is not happening anytime soon.
How disappointing
The OLED screen is nice. I got the Zelda OLED and added to those Switch sales numbers a couple weeks ago. Nintendo wants to make sure the Switch 2 is affordable to consumers and cost-effective to them. It would be nice if they offered both models out of the gate at a small premium for OLED customers.
While I know the reason why, I just hope they have an option that is a little extra for players like me who really want the OLED.
I feel like LCD is ancient tech at this point.
