New Nintendo Switch Will Pack Sharp's Advanced IGZO Display (Report)

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A better, longer-lasting screen

(Image credit: Tom's Guide)

Even with two new Nintendo Switch models launching this year, Nintendo's popular hybrid console is still expected to get a more powerful upgrade somewhere down the line. And now we know what kind of display that upgraded model might have.

According to a report from The Wall Street Journal, display maker Sharp will provide Nintendo with its IGZO screens for future consoles. IGZO, which stands for indium gallium zinc oxide, is a material built to deliver screens that are high-resolution, low-power and thin, while offering "exceptionally detailed touch panel capabilities," according to Sharp's website. The technology powers everything from 8K TVs to OLED smartphones.

It's easy to see how this technology could benefit the Switch, which currently features a 6-inch 720p display and taps out after around 3 to 7 hours of use. 

The Switch will soon get a smaller sibling in the $199 Switch Lite, a handheld-only version of the console that launches on Sept. 20. The base Switch is also getting a minor refresh this month, which will bump the system's maximum battery life to up to 9 hours.

Michael Andronico
Michael Andronico

Mike Andronico is Senior Writer at CNNUnderscored. He was formerly Managing Editor at Tom's Guide, where he wrote extensively on gaming, as well as running the show on the news front. When not at work, you can usually catch him playing Street Fighter, devouring Twitch streams and trying to convince people that Hawkeye is the best Avenger.