The big reveal of the Nintendo Switch 2 has finally happened. The new handheld console offers many improved specs compared to the original, some of which came as a surprise. For example, the Switch 2 boasts up to 4K output in docked mode, which was beautifully shown off in a demo of the upcoming Metroid Prime 4.

Although we don’t see Switch 2 as a Steam Deck replacement, it was hard not to compare the two, given that the Switch is the go-to handheld for many gamers right now. One thing you’ll immediately see by looking at the Switch 2 specs is that it offers a higher resolution and higher refresh rate than Valve’s Steam Deck. On that note, we think it sets a new bar for entry-level handheld gaming, one that Valve should aim to one-up once the Steam Deck 2 arrives.

Nintendo Switch 2 sets a new baseline for handheld gaming

Nintendo hasn’t been the company you think of when it comes to producing the most cutting-edge technology as far as compute power and performance go. With a generally casual gamer target market, the company has long lent into offering good value for money with a low-power system that runs all of Nintendo’s exclusive titles.

While the same can be said for the Steam Deck, the PC handheld is starting to fall behind its rivals, such as the ROG Ally and Legion Go, especially as modern AAA games become tougher for the humble Deck to handle. A recent example is Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, which had its compatibility rating downgraded due to poor performance. One of the Deck’s biggest selling points is the vast library of games available on PC, but the hardware is going to struggle to keep up.

The Nintendo Switch 2 now offers a similar experience to the ASUS ROG Ally. With a 120Hz VRR screen and full HD (1080p) resolution on a larger 7.9″ screen, Nintendo’s new console goes beyond what the Steam Deck can display. The use of a custom Nvidia GPU also invites conversations about DLSS upscaling, though there’s still no evidence of this in action on the Switch 2.

What should we expect from Steam Deck 2?

It’s safe to say there is plenty of time before the Steam Deck 2 release date rolls around, if Valve indeed names it as such. They may not be able to count to three, but two is manageable. Valve has been quick to shut down a couple of Deck sequel rumors in the past few months, including the use of Ryzen Z2 and even a refreshed ‘Plus’ model.

We know that the company is waiting for a ‘generational leap‘ before it commits to releasing the next Steam Deck, and we think that the Nintendo Switch 2 now sets the bare minimum for handheld gaming, outside of obviously retro-focused consoles or somebody’s Raspberry Pi creation.

Our hopes for the Steam Deck include a 120Hz VRR screen at the minimum, with at least full HD resolution, or even better. The original Legion Go has already stretched this to 1600p on a large 8.8″ screen, which we see as a valid target for Valve’s next handheld, assuming a massive leap in processing power between now and the time Deck 2 releases. Speaking of the Legion Go, there’s the potential for Valve to go the detachable controller route, though this seems less likely than display upgrades.

And while the Switch 2 doesn’t use OLED, the popularity of the display technology is another thing to think about; both current generations of Steam Deck and Nintendo Switch offer OLED variants.

About the Author

Jack Goodall

At PC Guide, Jack is mostly responsible for reporting on hardware deals. He also specializes in monitors, TVs, and headsets and can be found putting his findings together in a review or best-of guide.