Nintendo Switch 2 Lite rumored to use Samsung chip for 15% lower power consumption

It is said that Nintendo's next-gen is getting a budget variant. And that's a good thing because that means players can get a cheaper entry option if they don't need TV functionality. The new rumored Nintendo device (Switch 2 Lite) is expected to ditch some things like removable Joy-con controllers to reduce the cost. This will cater to a new niche audience who want a more portable, affordable product over the full hybrid option.

Rumored handheld variant targets portable users with stripped-down design and new silicon

The focus of the rumored Nintendo device is centered around the change in silicon strategy. The standard Switch 2 option is rumored to have an NVIDIA Tegra T239 chip that's produced with an 8nm process. The Switch 2 Lite is expected to have a second generation Samsung 8LPU+ SoC. The idea behind the different processor architecture seems to be a focus on handheld-only applications.

• Processor: Samsung 8LPU+ system-on-a-chip (second-generation)
• Performance Improvement: 12% performance boost
• Die Size Reduction: 8% smaller die size
• Power Consumption Reduction: 15% lower power consumption
• Standard Switch 2 Processor: NVIDIA Tegra T239 (8nm process)

The technical specs of the Samsung chip show that it has some interesting efficiency improvements over the standard model. The new processor is expected to provide a 12% improvement in performance. That's combined with an 8% smaller die size.

The goal is to also reduce power consumption by 15% which could mean better battery life for portable use. These numbers show that the focus is more on thermal efficiency and power rather than pure graphical power.

The new device is likely to have no TV dock option and a non-removable form-factor similar to the original Switch Lite. There's no official announcement or confirmation by Nintendo that this device is real or in development. Everything we know about the Switch 2 Lite is just rumors. These rumors are based on industry speculations about component roadmaps.

The rumored chip architecture may be shared during the December IEDM event. This gives more of a technical peek for the industry to look at. Until there is any official confirmation from Nintendo, Switch 2 Lite is just an unconfirmed device that's in development. Take these specs with a grain of salt until we have official hardware specs from Nintendo.

Source: IXBT