Switch 2 has the power of a PS4, but portable performance falls behind the Steam Deck, says Digital Foundry

It's official: the Switch 2 is coming, and with it come comparisons, technical analyses, and, of course, many expectations — and also some disappointments. The promise of Nintendo and NVIDIA is bold: a hybrid console 10 times more powerful than the original Switch. But what does this mean in practice? According to a thorough technical analysis by the respected team at Digital Foundry, Nintendo's new console positions itself as a PlayStation 4 base with modern upgrades — but with some important limitations, especially in handheld mode.

In docked mode, PS4 performance — with hints of Ray Tracing and DLSS

Let's start with the good news. In docked mode, that is, when connected to the TV, the Switch 2 is impressive. Using indirect benchmarks from games like Elden Ring, Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade, and Yakuza Zero, Digital Foundry found that the performance is equivalent to a base PS4: 1080p resolution, frame rates between 30 and 60 fps, and visuals consistent with Sony's previous generation.

“A long time ago, Bobby Kotick, from Activision, described the machine as offering PS4-level power and, in general, that is in line with what third-party demonstrations have revealed,” explained Digital Foundry.

The difference here, of course, lies in the modern technology that the PS4 never had: the Switch 2 will feature support for Ray Tracing and DLSS (Deep Learning Super Sampling), NVIDIA technologies that use artificial intelligence to significantly increase image quality and performance. This means that, despite the raw power similar to the PS4, the Switch 2 can deliver more advanced and efficient visual experiences.

In handheld mode, below Steam Deck — but with tricks up its sleeve

The bad news comes when we look at handheld mode. The comparison here is not with old consoles, but with the current champion of the category: the Steam Deck from Valve. And according to Digital Foundry's analysis, the Switch 2 falls behind.

“Valve's machine, running fully unlocked, has a GPU of 1.6GHz and a CPU between 2.4GHz and 3.5GHz, consuming up to 28W of power. Meanwhile, the Switch 2 has a GPU of 561MHz, CPU of 1.1GHz, and with a 20Wh battery, it consumes a maximum of 10W during gameplay — almost a third of the Steam Deck,” the portal stated.

Nevertheless, the Switch 2 has important advantages: game development will be optimized for its specific hardware, and Nintendo always maximizes the potential of its machines with proprietary APIs and full integration between hardware and software. This is what allowed games like The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom to run smoothly on extremely limited hardware.

And DLSS? It could be the secret to Switch 2's longevity

Another important technical point raised by Digital Foundry was the support for DLSS. According to them, the Switch 2 is capable of using any version of the technology — including the latest, DLSS 4. However, not everything is perfect.

“The issue is not so much whether the Switch 2 can run DLSS 4, but whether it demands too much to use it,” the site explained. In other words, even though the console supports the most advanced version, its use may compromise performance in more demanding games.

Conclusion: a mix of hope, caution, and hype

The Switch 2 still has a lot to prove. It promises a more powerful hybrid experience, but faces serious challenges, especially in the handheld market, where the Steam Deck and the ASUS ROG Ally already dominate with far superior raw hardware. However, with Nintendo's expertise in extracting the best from its platforms and the support of technologies like DLSS and Ray Tracing, the new console could surprise.

If it is true that Elden Ring and Final Fantasy VII Remake Intergrade really ran on a prototype of Switch 2 in last week's Nintendo Direct, we are about to witness a new era — perhaps not of technical revolution, but of creative efficiency.

Now we just have to wait for the next official announcements, with complete specifications, release date, and, of course, the initial lineup of games. Because, in the end, that is what defines the success of a console: the games. And in that, Nintendo is still unbeatable.