Since the announcement that the Nintendo Switch 2 would feature an LCD instead of an OLED screen, the console’s display has faced scrutiny. While LCDs are not as advanced as OLED panels, the Switch 2’s screen is bright and vibrant, meeting expectations for quality visuals in 2025.
Recent critiques focus on “ghosting” and refresh rates, claiming that fast-paced games appear blurry and questioning the authenticity of the Switch 2’s HDR capabilities. These concerns have some basis but do not warrant regret over purchasing the console.
Video games display motion by rapidly presenting sequential images, relying on synchronized GPU frame output and screen refresh rates, measured in Hertz. Any mismatch can cause screen tearing or motion blur, which is influenced by the screen’s response time in milliseconds—the lower the response time, the smoother the motion. Although the Switch 2 offers a 120Hz refresh rate, its response time ranges between 17.1 ms and 33.3 ms, higher than the ideal sub-10 ms common in gaming monitors.
Testing the Switch 2’s screen response is challenging since it does not support external video input. Nevertheless, measurements using optical sensors demonstrate that while response times are slower than high-end displays, the screen still produces clear images suitable for gaming.
Regarding HDR, the Switch 2 offers a higher dynamic range than standard displays but falls short of the true HDR standards, with brightness levels below 1,000 nits. Its HDR implementation is thus a moderate improvement but not comparable to premium HDR screens.
Despite these technical limitations, the Switch 2’s screen performs well in practice. Games appear bright and colorful, and connecting the console to an external display does not enhance image quality beyond the internal screen’s capabilities.
Ultimately, while the Switch 2 screen may not match high-end gaming displays in response time or HDR brightness, it delivers a satisfying visual experience for most users. Gamers are encouraged to focus on gameplay rather than technical specifications.