New Switch 2 Hardware Revision Leaked

The Nintendo Switch 2 could receive some hardware revisions, based on rumors concerning an unreleased Nintendo hardware model code that has circulated on social media. While Nintendo has not stated what this hardware model code could mean, that has not stopped fans from guessing whether a Lite version of the Switch 2 is in development, or if the code means something else altogether.

The Switch 2 quickly became one of Nintendo’s top-selling systems within the first six months of launch, as it topped over four million units sold in Japan alone as of January 11. This put the Switch 2 ahead of the GameCube’s total sales figures in Japan. However, Switch 2 sales suffered a slight snag during the holiday shopping season. Due to the state of the global economy, and the increasing prices on various goods, some shoppers chose to skip buying a Switch 2 for the holidays. While games like Metroid Prime 4: Beyond and Pokemon Legends: Z-A have sold well, these cross-gen releases have not been enough to convince some players to upgrade to Nintendo’s latest console.

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Mysterious Nintendo Model Code Fuels Speculation

Though rumors about Nintendo should be taken with a fine grain of salt, some social media users uncovered potential evidence that the gaming giant could be developing some new hardware with a different model code. As reported by Bluesky user Dootsky.re, Nintendo’s Account Portal website contains data for a model code called “OSM,” which is currently not linked to any Nintendo products as of this writing. Dootsky.re’s post was then sourced on the Gaming Leaks and Rumors subreddit, where discussions about OSM continued. Reddit user Andree1234 said that OSM could stand for “Ounce Small Model”, which may point toward a potential Switch 2 Lite console. Like the original Switch’s Lite revision, a Switch 2 Lite revision could be a smaller counterpart to the current Switch 2 console.

However, in response to Dootsky.re’s findings, a Bluesky user named Polmo noted that OSM could mean something else entirely. Polma said that OSM may stand for “Oshaberi Super Mario,” with the oshaberi part deriving from “oshaberi fuwara,” or Talking Flower. Ergo, the OSM code may be a reference to the Talking Flower from Super Mario Bros. Wonder. Nintendo previously confirmed that the Talking Flower will be released as a toy in spring 2026. However, no additional information could be gleaned from the “OSM” model code, and Nintendo has not officially stated what product the OSM model code was designated for.

Dootsky.re noted that the Switch 2’s model code is BEE. The original Switch used the code HAC for its first wave of console units, and the model code HAD was reserved for later Switch models that had an upgraded battery installed. The model code HDH was used for the Nintendo Switch Lite, which launched in September 2019. The Switch Lite arrived two years after the release of the original Switch console. Due to its smaller size and the integration of the Joy-Con controllers into the main frame, the Switch Lite’s $199 price tag made it an ideal Nintendo console for children and for families with more than one Switch console.

What Would a Switch 2 Hardware Revision Be Like?

By comparison, the Switch OLED model was released in September 2021, and featured a larger display and an upgraded dock. The Switch OLED model also used the model code HEG on its packaging. While the original Switch was priced at $299 for most of its lifespan, the Switch OLED carried a $349 price tag, making it $50 more expensive than the Switch. Given that the Switch 2 was already priced at $449, adding an OLED screen rather than using the built-in LCD would have caused the Switch 2’s price to spike up.

Should the Switch 2 follow a similar pattern, a Lite or OLED hardware revision may not be released until Nintendo’s console goes past the two-year mark on store shelves. Although such revisions are currently speculative, a Switch 2 Lite could have a cheaper price point to match its smaller size. Likewise, a potential Switch 2 OLED model could come with some upgraded features to potentially justify a higher MSRP. However, fans hoping for a potential revision of the Switch 2 in 2026 should not hold their breath. Although Nintendo has said that the ongoing RAM crisis is having no immediate impact on the Switch 2’s pricing, that could still change in the future. What Nintendo’s hardware plans are for 2026 and beyond remains to be seen.

Brand

Nintendo

Original Release Date

June 5, 2025

Original MSRP (USD)

$449.99

Operating System

Proprietary

Resolution

1080p (handheld) / 4K (docked)

HDR Support

Yes