Modest power compared to the competition
According to leaked information, the Switch 2 would be equipped with an Nvidia Tegra chip based on the Ampere architecture. In portable mode, the GPU would run at 561 MHz, delivering 1.71 teraflops of power, slightly higher than the Steam Deck’s 1.6 teraflops. In docked mode, the frequency would reach 1 GHz for a performance of 3.1 teraflops. These figures remain lower than those of current home consoles, such as the PlayStation 5 (10.28 teraflops) and the Xbox Series X (12 teraflops). But that’s pretty normal, and still good performance.
Comparison with consoles from the last 15 years
To situate the Switch 2 in the video game landscape, here is a comparison of the performance in teraflops of the main consoles released since 2005:
– Xbox Series X (2020) : 12,15 téraflops
– PlayStation 5 (2020) : 10,28 téraflops
– Xbox One X (2017) : 6 téraflops
– PlayStation 4 Pro (2016) : 4,2 téraflops
– Xbox Series S (2020) : 4 téraflops
– Nintendo Switch 2 (mode docké) (2025) : 3,1 téraflops
– PlayStation 4 (2013) : 1,84 téraflops
– Nintendo Switch 2 (mode portable) (2025) : 1,71 téraflops
– Xbox One (2013) : 1,3 téraflops
– Steam Deck (2021) : 1,6 téraflops
– Nintendo Switch (mode docké) (2017) : 0,393 téraflops
– PlayStation 3 (2006) : 0,251 téraflops
– Xbox 360 (2005) : 0,24 téraflops
– Nintendo Wii U (2012) : 0,176 téraflops
– Nintendo Switch (mode portable) (2017) : 0,196 téraflops
– Nintendo Wii (2006) : 0,012 téraflops
A strategy focused on energy efficiency
The limitation of power in portable mode seems to be a deliberate choice by Nintendo to optimize the autonomy of the console, which is quite normal there too. While these specs might disappoint some gamers looking for high performance, Nintendo has often prioritized user experience and innovationas evidenced by the success of the Wii and the first Switch.
The importance of teraflops in video games
Teraflops measure a console’s ability to perform complex calculations per second, which influences the graphics quality and smoothness of games. Of course, other factors, like software optimization and power efficiency, play an important role in the gaming experience. Lower teraflop power does not necessarily mean an inferior gaming experience.
While waiting for Nintendo’s official announcement, perhaps expected tomorrow, discussions continue about the place that the Switch 2 will occupy in the current console market.
