Resident Switch hacking scene member SciresM, known for his work on Atmosphere CFW, has made a curious discovery via datamining. A Nintendo Switch Pro model might actually be on the way, if you believe what he's uncovered from an update on the Switch. It should be noted that while interesting, this information does not confirm anything, and much is speculation on SciresM's part after having dug around some firmware files.

Existing under the codename of Aula, this hardware uses a Mariko SoC. It also would support both handheld and docked mode, and features "substantially" better cooling and battery life. While there's nothing concrete to fully determine, SciresM thinks that the revision would support 4K when docked, with an OLED tablet screen, as it features a Realtek chip branded as having "4K UHD multimedia SoC". If it's to be believed, then Nintendo has been working on a "Switch Pro" for over a year, which would line up with many reputable outlets repeatedly claiming that Nintendo is indeed working on a more powerful Nintendo Switch system.

Nintendo actually is working on a new model with upgraded display stuff and has been for ~1.5-2 years. I personally believe it's 4K given the signs I'm seeing in the firmware, but that's not confirmed yet and could be wrong.

Aula has firmware support some Realtek chip that advertises itself as a "4K UHD multimedia SoC", too, hence my belief it's 4K. That chip might be inside a new dock and not inside the tablet, though, there's no way to tell from the firmware code yet.

Aula explicitly supports handheld mode. It is not docked only; that's calcio, which seems like it's for internal only/never releasing since Calcio has no gamecard slot and no battery.

Checked my previous discussions with hexkyz, the upgraded tablet display is an OLED screen. Probably not higher resolution on tablet itself, so I guess the 4k realtek chip is more likely to be new dock than I thought it was.

Source

 

[DarkCoffe64]

How much you wanna bet the joycon drift ain't gonna be fixed at all in this "pro" model?
Since, their words, the problem doesn't exist/doesn't affect anyone.

 

[Nincompoopdo]

Nintendo is changing the SoC and adding more memory:

https://fccid.io/BKEHAT002/Letter/02-FCC-Class-II-Permissive-Change-Letter-4869805

 

[Xzi]

Y'know, this is something I've felt like I wanted to happen for quite a while, but looking at my Switch library now, I'm not sure how much benefit there would really be to it. Astral Chain is the one title which I feel desperately needs a bump to 60 FPS, but everything else is either already at 60 FPS, or not action-based so it doesn't matter much. Other than indies I don't buy any third-party games on Switch, either.

I suppose people who use Switch as their primary gaming console stand to benefit most from this, along with people who intend to hack it. For my part I'll just have to wait and see if any of the trade-in deals for my OG Switch are enticing.

 

[Delerious]

Riley fails at pronouncing 'SciresM' in LMG's TechLinked report on this rumor article (4:29).

 

[1NOOB]

Iv got the deja vu feeling . Anyone ? Im sticking with my idea of a super switch and super dock , you could even add hdmi to switch lite , then you got a new console retrocompatible .

 

[Deleted User]

Pro? 4K?

The Switch isn't even capable of running flawlessly at 1080p. Mario Odyssey only runs at 900p.

 

[MiiJack]

I'll be leaning to a PS4 to PS5 kind of game upgrade (not in terms of power), where the devs can provide a graphics/performance update for this, and not trample on the OG Switch.

 

[Deleted User]

I'll be leaning to a PS4 to PS5 kind of game upgrade (not in terms of power), where the devs can provide a graphics/performance update for this, and not trample on the OG Switch.

Oh boy more patches!

It'll be hard to preserve modern games since they rely so heavily on patches, updates and downloadable content (the easiest of the three).

 

[jesus96]

I personally believe that is going to be some sort of new dock and maybe a cheaper screen to compensate the 4k for tv mode,maybe with an option to use it on the original version as well

 

[BitMasterPlus]

Well it's a good thing I waited to buy one (mostly because I'm broke....).

 

[Wavy]

How much you wanna bet the joycon drift ain't gonna be fixed at all in this "pro" model?
Since, their words, the problem doesn't exist/doesn't affect anyone.

The odd thing about Nintendo saying that drift "isn't a thing" is that around a year ago they said they'll repair Joy-Cons for free. And this was also when the Joy-Con drift lawsuit began I believe, which makes Nintendo recent statement on Joy-Con drift even weirder and quite contradictory.

About Joy-Con drift not being fixed on the Switch Pro, Nintendo could update the sticks themselves to be better overall, but hey who knows.

 

[AkiraKurusu]

so not a switch upgrade so much as a dock upgrade.

Considering the console as it is, is at its best when it's docked...it is a Switch upgrade, in my eyes.
The most recent true handheld is the 3DS XL, honestly; the Switch is a home console with portability on the side. It's capable of it, but clearly doesn't focus on it.

Anyway, this is nice, but I likely won't be buying one until I can run homebrew on it - I rely on Checkpoint and EdiZon SE too much for OFW-only to be worth the money.

 

[Mr_Lameandwatch]

Ever since i saw the specs around the time the switch was revealed, i immediately said "i'll wait for the better one"
The first version of most nintendo consoles are always the least desirable ones to have as time goes on.

 

[Deleted User]

Oh boy more patches!

It'll be hard to preserve modern games since they rely so heavily on patches, updates and downloadable content (the easiest of the three).

heaven forbid developers improve a games performance on newer hardware with a free patch

 

[AkiraKurusu]

4K is nice, but you have to be naive to think your going to play 4k in 60fps on a Nintendo console.

4K's overrated; 1080p's just fine, especially if the system can focus on frame rate instead of meaningless pixel depth.

Imagine Botw with Raytracing

Imagine Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with raytracing. That'd be gorgeous AND fun to play!
Or Luigi's Mansion 3; that'd be stellar, too.

 

[linuxares]

4K's overrated; 1080p's just fine, especially if the system can focus on frame rate instead of meaningless pixel depth.


Imagine Xenoblade Chronicles 2 with raytracing. That'd be gorgeous AND fun to play!
Or Luigi's Mansion 3; that'd be stellar, too.

Yes... we need raytracing in Xenoblade 2.... for reasons not at all connected with Pneuma

 

[AkiraKurusu]

Yes... we need raytracing in Xenoblade 2.... for reasons not at all connected with Pneuma

I was thinking of swimsuit-Morag, actually, or swimsuit-Nia.

Kinda funny the main Water members are both feline, actually.

 

[ov3rkill]

Dock upgrade with Realtek chip AI upscaling for 4k maybe. I hope it will look good though. Also, maybe that chip will improve the FPS in games, that would also be interesting to see.

 

[Ottoclav]

tbh I was just thinking it could be JUST a console. We already have the hybrid and the handheld only, so why not complete the trio? Just make it a rectangular box thats grey or red and blue.
still pretty neat though. hope there would be some limited edition designs that would be neat to see but i will probably will not get

I've been thinking this same thing. How hard would it be to take the Switch architecture and put it into a dock-sized console with newer tech and backwards compatibility with switch cartridges and software?

 

[1B51004]

I've been thinking this same thing. How hard would it be to take the Switch architecture and put it into a dock-sized console with newer tech and backwards compatibility with switch cartridges and software?

Bit of a stupid theory... But what if the dock and console are separated? The dock could just upgrade the visuals to at least 2K, possible 4K, but the new switch could make most games run at 60fps and 4K. Then there would be a 'bundle' that puts the two of them together.
thats just my theory though, i HIGHLY doubt that will be the case.