Key Takeaways
1. The Nintendo Switch 2 has received criticism for its screen quality, with issues like slower pixel response times causing blurring and trailing in games.
2. The display’s HDR performance is lacking, with brightness limitations affecting the contrast ratio and making HDR differences hard to notice.
3. VRR and LFC features have shown performance issues, resulting in stuttering and frame drops in certain games despite initial positive impressions.
4. There is potential for improvement in VRR implementation and motion blur reduction through future updates or features like ‘Overdrive.’
5. In some aspects, the Switch 2’s display is reportedly worse than that of the original Switch and the Switch OLED.
Even though the Nintendo Switch 2 is flying off the shelves, it has not escaped criticism and technical issues. Earlier observations pointed out that the screen didn’t live up to the hype and questioned why Nintendo opted for an LCD over an OLED display. Now, a comprehensive review of the handheld has uncovered further issues with the screen, making it seem inferior to the original Switch.
Digital Foundry’s Detailed Insights
On June 21, Digital Foundry released a thorough review of the Switch 2, revealing just how poor the display really is. The pixel response times are slower on the Switch 2, causing problems like blurring and trailing. This issue is especially noticeable in side-scrolling games that require quick movements from side to side. John Linneman from Digital Foundry remarked that the response times are actually worse than those of the original Switch, which is unexpected.
Brightness and HDR Limitations
Additionally, HDR performance was found to be underwhelming due to the screen’s brightness constraints. This was also noted in a prior display review, which mentioned how the backlight tends to wash out darker colors, negatively affecting the contrast ratio. The difference between HDR being turned on or off in games is hardly noticeable.
The reviewers discovered that VRR and LFC (Low-framerate compensation) function, at least during the Welcome Tour. However, when testing Hitman World of Assassination, they observed stuttering and frame drops into the 30 to 35 FPS range, indicating that VRR isn’t operating effectively with LFC below 40 Hz, contrary to what the Welcome Tour suggests. Similar issues were seen in Cyberpunk 2077 and No Man’s Sky.
Some Hope for Improvement
On the brighter side, there is potential for enhancing the VRR implementation, which could provide a more stable experience in demanding games. Motion blur problems could also be addressed with features like ‘Overdrive.’ Nevertheless, as it stands, the display of the Switch 2 is, in some scenarios, worse than that of the original Switch and the Switch OLED.
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