Nintendo Switch 2 upgrades revealed by FCC: Amiibo, faster Wi-Fi, and more
It remains unclear if the new Switch will be more powerful when docked
New Nintendo Switch 2 technical upgrades have been revealed, via filings made by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).
The filings reveal that Switch 2 will, like its predecessor, support NFC via its right Joy-Con controller, likely confirming support for Amiibo figures when playing original Switch games and Switch 2 software.
Switch 2 users will also be able to charge the console using either its bottom USB C port, or the new, second USB port which is located on the top of the device.
According to the filings, which were spotted by The Verge, Switch 2 will also support Wi-Fi 6 (802.11ax) networks with up to 80MHz of bandwidth, up from the original Switch console’s Wi-Fi 5 (802.11ac).
FCC filings also indicate that Nintendo Switch 2 is rated for an AC adapter with a maximum of 15V, which is the same as the original Switch, but also mention an AC adapter that goes up to 20V, so it’s unclear whether Switch 2 has faster charging speed or more power when docked.
A previous leak had claimed that Switch 2 dock would require a far more powerful AC adapter than its predecessor, indicating that it may have more power when docked.
Nintendo officially announced Switch 2 in January, with a teaser video showing the console and Joy-Cons. The trailer also provided a brief look at a new Mario Kart game running on the Switch 2 hardware.
Nintendo plans to fully reveal the new console on April 2, during a special Switch 2 Nintendo Direct presentation.
Company president Shuntaro Furukawa said last month that the Switch 2 price will take into account numerous factors, including the trademark affordability of the company’s hardware.
He also said Nintendo will put measures in place to prevent resellers from significantly impacting Switch 2 launch supplies.
He said (via Nikkei, translated by VGC): “We will take all possible measures based on the experience we have accumulated to date (regarding scalpers and the like). We are making preparations.”
Market research firm Circana has predicted that Nintendo Switch 2 will sell over four million units in the United States alone in 2025, if it’s released in the first half of the year, accounting for approximately 1/3rd of all video game console hardware units sold this year.
